This creamy, cheesy King Ranch chicken casserole is brimming with juicy shredded chicken layered with corn tortillas, peppers, and melted cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food for weeknights and potlucks!.
King Ranch Chicken is a Texas-style casserole that is cheesy and creamy. It has become a favorite comfort food across the United States because it tastes great and is easy to make. Find out how to make this famous dish in your own home with this step-by-step guide.
A Brief History of King Ranch Chicken
While its exact origins are unclear, King Ranch Chicken is thought to have been created sometime in the 1950s or 1960s in Texas. Some attribute its creation to the famous King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas. However, the ranch itself does not claim to have invented the dish.
It might have been based on chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican dish made with shredded beef, fried tortilla chips, salsa, and cheese. The ranch may have been known as “King Ranch” because it was the biggest ranch in America at the time.
Whatever its origins, the dish quickly became popular across Texas and the Southern United States. It continues to be a cherished casserole recipe today.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making King Ranch Chicken at home is easy since the ingredient list is simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
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Chicken – Use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or roast your own. Shred or chop into bite-size pieces.
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Onion & bell peppers – Dice 1 yellow onion and 1 green bell pepper.
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Jalapeño pepper (optional) – Seed and mince 1 jalapeño for a kick of heat.
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Spices – You’ll need chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
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Canned soups – 1 can each of cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup acts as the sauce.
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Diced tomatoes – Use a 10oz can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, like Rotel brand.
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Chicken broth – Use 1/2 cup to thin out the sauce.
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Tortillas – Cut corn or flour tortillas into 1-inch squares.
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Cheese – Use a mix of shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack.
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Cooking oil – For sautéing the veggies.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to put together this hearty casserole:
1. Sauté the vegetables
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and jalapeño (if using). Cook 5-7 minutes until softened.
2. Make the sauce
Add the sautéed veggies to a large bowl. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, spices, and shredded chicken.
3. Assemble the casserole
Spread a thin layer of the sauce in a 9×13″ baking dish. Add a layer of torn tortilla pieces, followed by a layer of the chicken mixture. Top with a layer of shredded cheese.
Repeat the layering one more time.
4. Bake the casserole
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15-20 minutes more until bubbly and golden brown.
5. Rest and serve
Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped scallions, cilantro or sliced jalapeños if desired.
Tips for Perfect King Ranch Chicken
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For extra flavor, use monterey jack cheese or pepper jack cheese.
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Add diced green chiles and hot sauce if you want an extra kick.
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You can assemble this casserole up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
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Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions before serving.
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Freeze baked casserole for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
It tastes hearty and is creamy, so King Ranch Chicken is sure to become a new family favorite. It’s simple enough to make during the week, but tasty enough for parties and potlucks. Try this iconic Texas casserole soon!.
Tips and Variation Ideas
Here are some last tips on how to get the most out of your King Ranch chicken, along with some easy ways to change things up.
- Different veggies. Make this casserole with broccoli, sweet corn, or spicy jalapeños. It would also taste great with black beans, pinto beans, or chipotle in adobo.
- Add a can of Rotel. Add a can of Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies to make it more like the original King Ranch chicken casserole. You can use hot or mild.
- Assemble in two casserole dishes. You can make this casserole in two 8×8″ (or 9×9″) baking dishes instead of a 9×13″ casserole dish. Bake one now and freeze the other one for later! Easy steps for making it ahead of time are below.
Can I Make This Casserole Ahead?
Absolutely. Unbaked King Ranch chicken is great to freeze and reheat for last-minute dinners down the road. Prepare the casserole as directed, and then cover it with plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. To bake the casserole from frozen, take off the plastic wrap and cover it with foil. Bake at 350ºF for an hour.
Food Wishes Recipes – King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe – How to Make King Ranch Chicken
FAQ
How do you make King Ranch chicken flavorful & authentic?
Here are some tips for making flavorful and authentic King Ranch Chicken: Making your chicken broth from scratch can add much flavor to your King Ranch Chicken. Simmer chicken bones, vegetables, and seasonings in water for several hours to make a flavorful broth. Chicken and poultry, in general, are one of the most common foods consumed in Texas.
Is King Ranch chicken a cheesy Tex-Mex recipe?
If you’re a fan of cheesy Tex-Mex recipes, let me tell you about the king of them all: King Ranch chicken. This casserole is a Texas classic, but these days, its deliciousness has spread far beyond the Lone Star State.
Can I make a King Ranch chicken casserole the day of?
Yes you can make this the day of and keep it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours until it’s ready to bake. You can also freeze it and heat it up when you’re ready to serve! Here are some more easy casserole recipes! King Ranch Chicken casserole with chopped chicken, Mexican cheese, sour cream, and corn tortillas.
Is King Ranch chicken Tex-Mex?
This King Ranch Chicken Recipe is a Tex-Mex favorite! It’s a hearty and comforting casserole made with layers of shredded chicken, corn tortillas, and a creamy sauce all topped with melty cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is King Ranch chicken?
The King Ranch is a sprawling expanse of land that stretches across 825,000 acres in South Texas and is home to some of the most picturesque scenery in the country. So every time you eat King Ranch chicken, you get a tasty meal and a piece of Texas history. The exact origin of King Ranch Chicken needs to be clarified.
What can I add to King Ranch chicken?
Adding tortilla chips will give your King Ranch Chicken some texture. For vegetables, you could add canned or frozen corn and some black beans that have been drained and rinsed. For extra spice, consider adding some chopped poblano peppers or jalapeno peppers, or even chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
Why is it called King Ranch chicken?
Named after the famous King Ranch in south Texas, the casserole is layered with cooked chicken, corn tortillas, cheese, and, typically, canned cream of …
How to make a chicken a la king?
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Can I put ranch seasoning on chicken?
Yes, ranch seasoning is a great way to flavor chicken.
Can you make king ranch chicken ahead of time?