Description
Hearty King Ranch Chicken casserole delivers a Texas-sized comfort meal that blends spicy Southwestern flavors with creamy, cheesy goodness. Crisp tortillas, tender chicken, and zesty sauce create a satisfying dinner sure to become a family favorite you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 1 12 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 corn tortillas (cut into quarters)
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 bell pepper (chopped)
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 can (10 oz / 284 grams) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set the oven temperature to 350°F for optimal cooking conditions.
- Create a flavor base by gently sweating onions and bell peppers in melted butter until they become translucent and soft, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Craft a vibrant sauce by whisking together Rotel tomatoes, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, chili powder, and cumin in a spacious mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Construct the first foundational layer by arranging tortillas across the bottom of the prepared dish, ensuring complete coverage.
- Distribute half of the shredded chicken evenly over the tortilla base, creating a protein-rich stratum.
- Scatter the sautéed vegetable mixture across the chicken layer, providing textural complexity and depth of flavor.
- Generously pour half of the prepared sauce over the vegetable and chicken layer, ensuring comprehensive moisture distribution.
- Sprinkle a liberal amount of shredded cheese to create a preliminary melty layer.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients, starting with tortillas and concluding with a generous cheese topping.
- Transfer the assembled casserole to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, allowing the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from the oven and permit the dish to rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder and cumin according to personal heat preferences.
- Use corn tortillas for gluten-free option or whole wheat tortillas for added nutrition.
- Swap rotisserie chicken for shredded rotisserie chicken to save preparation time and enhance flavor complexity.
- Substitute low-fat cream soups and reduced-fat cheese for a lighter, healthier version without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg