Ultimate King Ranch Casserole
King ranch chicken casserole will have everyone asking for seconds. Good thing it serves a crowd!
You just haven't had a great casserole until you've tried the Ultimate King Ranch Casserole. This is one of those simple recipes that will make dinner easy, delicious and one that everyone looks forward to. Made with ingredients that are simple and budget friendly, this easy king ranch chicken casserole recipe will have you done with dinner quicker than you ever imagined and with money to spare! You can save even more time by doubling the recipe so that you can have leftovers all week. Trust us -- this recipe is so good, won't mind eating it more than once in a week!
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Cooking Time30 min
Cooking Vessel Size9x13-inch casserole dish
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, very finely minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to taste
- 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (14-1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 12 corn tortillas, 6-inch size, cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 4 cup diced or shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cup shredded cheese, such as Mexican mixed or a combination of Cheddar and Monterey jack
King Ranch Casserole Recipe
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
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In a large skillet set over medium heat, saute bell pepper, onion, and garlic in the oil, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add chili powder and stir 1 more minute, then add soup and tomatoes and cook, stirring until mixture is bubbling hot.
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Place half of the tortilla strips into the bottom of the casserole dish and top with half of the chicken, half of the skillet contents, then half of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining tortilla strips, chicken, sauce, and cheese.
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Bake for about 30 minutes, until casserole is bubbly and cheese is melted.
Did You Know?
The history behind king ranch casserole is actually a little bit mysterious. The name comes from the famous King Ranch in Texas, which is one of the largest ranches in the country. However, no one at the ranch had anything to do with the creation of the recipe. Its origins are unknown!
What we do know is that the dish dates back to approximately the 1950s, and that since then it's been a popular feature at potlucks, Junior League events, and more. It's especially popular in Texas, with some joking that it should be the state's official casserole.