King Ranch Casserole

Are you ready to try the best chicken casserole ever? This King Ranch Casserole features tantalizing Tex-Mex flavor mixed with cheesy and creamy layers.

King Ranch Casserole

While it may have its roots in Texas, this King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a beloved dish everywhere in the South. It’s bound to show up at any potluck you attend, but it’s easy to see why. It’s cozy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious, with creamy Tex-Mex layers sandwiched between corn tortillas and lots of cheese. Sounds like Southern comfort food heaven, right?

Another reason this is the best chicken casserole ever is that it requires minimal prep and makes the ideal family-friendly weeknight dinner. You can even make it the night before and store it in your fridge to pop in the oven right before supper.

Recipe ingredients for King Ranch Casserole

Recipe Ingredients

  • Chicken (I used rotisserie chicken)
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Chopped green chilies
  • Cream of chicken
  • Cream of mushroom
  • Shredded cheese
  • Corn tortillas (or you can use pieces of flour tortilla if you prefer)
  • Chopped onions
  • Spices: chili powder, pepper, salt, and garlic powder.

add oil to the skillet

Pour a little bit of oil in a large skillet, about two tablespoons.

add your onions to skillet.

Add in your onions…

brown the onions

and saute those, stirring often, until browned a bit.

Then dump in your chilies, cream soups, drained tomatoes, and chicken.

Then dump in your chilies, cream soups, drained diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken.

add salt pepper garlic and chili powder

Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.

stir up the ingredients for your King Ranch Casserole

and stir.

Cook this on medium heat until heated through and bubbly – usually just a few minutes.

Tear half of your tortillas up into little pieces and layer them in the bottom of a 9x13 dish.

Tear half of your corn tortillas up into little pieces and layer them in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.

spread half the chicken mixture and cheese over the chips.

Spread half of your chicken mixture over the tortilla strips and sprinkle with half your shredded cheese.

add more tortilla pieces and the next layer of chicken mixture.

Add the rest of your corn tortillas, all torn up. Then glob the rest of your chicken mixture over that and smear it around…

add the rest of your cheese

and more cheese!

Lots of folks make their King Ranch casseroles in three layers, but I just do two. If you wanna do three go right ahead. Whatever cranks yer tractor. Two does it for me!

Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges and your stomach is growling from the smell. Top with some chopped cilantro when you’re ready to serve.

King Ranch Casserole cooked in baking dish.

HELLO DINNER!

Yum di di dum dum yum yum yum!!

Storage

  • Casserole leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
  • You can freeze the entire unbaked casserole for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then cook as instructed above. Alternatively, cooked casserole servings will last in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave.

Recipe Notes

  • In this casserole, you can use any kind of chicken, including boiled chicken breast, canned chicken, or whatever leftover chicken you have in the fridge. Today I used rotisserie chicken and it was fantastic, but I also sometimes buy a 10-pound bag of leg quarters and boil them until done. Then I shred all of the chicken and freeze in small portions to toss in casseroles, dumplings, and stews.
  • You can use any combination of condensed soup varieties. Go for only cream of mushroom or chicken, or use other flavors like cream of celery or cream of onion.
  • If you’d like your King Ranch Casserole to have a little crunch, substitute the corn tortillas for crushed tortilla chips or Doritos.
  • Instead of cheddar cheese, sprinkle your casserole with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese instead.
  • You can also add more veggies to your chicken mixture, like green bell pepper.
  • For another creamy layer addition, serve your casserole with a scoop of sour cream.
  • If too spicy, substitute chili powder for cumin for a less heated taco seasoning option.

Recipe FAQs

Why is it called King Range Chicken Casserole?

While its name comes from King Ranch, one of the country’s largest ranches, there’s actually no direct connection between this Tex-Mex casserole and the ranch.

Can I make this casserole the night before?

Yes! You can assemble this casserole in a baking dish the night before, store it in the fridge, and then bake it when you get home. 

Can I use fat-free cream of chicken or cream of mushroom?

Yes, you can use fat-free versions. If you are watching your fat intake for health reasons I actually strongly recommend it. Just always check with your health professionals if you are making any substitutes due to health.

What do you serve with King Ranch Chicken Casserole?

While this casserole is a meal in itself, you can serve it alongside other Southern favorites, including cornbread, corn salad, fresh green beans, and three-bean salad. You can also serve it with a simple refreshing salad like this Greek cucumber salad or some tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.

Is King Ranch Casserole gluten-free?

Yes, this King Ranch Casserole recipe is naturally gluten-free, thanks to the corn tortillas. 

Here are other casserole recipes you may enjoy:

Canyon Casserole

Cabbage Casserole Recipe Oven or Slow Cooker

Cornbread Casserole Recipe Simple and Savory

Sloppy Joes Casserole Deep Dish Recipe

scoop of King Ranch Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Known as the best chicken casserole ever, this King Ranch Casserole features tantalizing Tex-Mex flavor mixed with cheesy and creamy layers.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken

Ingredients

  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 4 ounce can diced green chilies
  • 15 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 12 - 14 corn tortillas six-inch
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Place oil in a large skillet. Add onions and saute over medium heat until onions are lightly browned.
    1 onion, 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • Add rotisserie chicken, cream soups, chilies, tomatoes, and all seasonings. Stir and cook over medium heat until bubbly.
    2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 4 ounce can diced green chilies, 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Tear tortillas into small pieces. Place half of the torn tortillas in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the chicken mixture and 1/2 of the cheese. Top with remaining tortilla pieces, remaining chicken mixture, and remaining cheese.
    12 - 14 corn tortillas, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned around the edges.
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

 

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all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read,

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140 Comments

  1. This looks soooo good! Wonder if I outta head to the store while hubby is sleeping and get the ingredients and whip it up and have it waiting on him for brunch when he wakes up? It could happen… 😀
    Thanks for the recipe!!

  2. This is what I had planned on making Sunday for dinner. The recipe I had bookmarked uses tortilla chips instead of tortillas. You casserole looks great! I’ve never made it before. You make it look easy and yummy!

    1. Hey Steph! It is pretty easy, I hate that it has so many ingredients because that makes it look like it might not be but honest it is! lol

      Hope you enjoy Sunday dinner, lucky are the folks you’ll be feeding!

      Gratefully,
      Christy

  3. This recipe sounds SO good. I am going to make it to take to a pot-luck dinner soon. Thanks for all the hard work you put in here. I look forward to each newsletter. WE are all looking forward to your next book, and hope to see you at a book signing near us!(Charlotte would be GOOD.) Congratulations on all your adventures Christy!

    1. Hey Donna! thank YOU so very much!! It’s amazing all of the behind the scenes work that goes into getting a book put together and you just wouldn’t believe all of the AMAZING people who are working on this one. I can’t wait to show all of y’all my “baby”! I hope you like it!

      I have always wanted to go to Charlotte, we gotta make that one for sure. Will I get to see you there?

      Gratefully,
      Christy

  4. Christy,
    As a native Texan, I officially adopt you! Now, come and cook for me! HA!
    Seriously, I was born in TX and have lived all my 60 years here, so I am a true Texan and I love my state. My parents live right down the street, so I like to say I never got off this street.
    I love all your stories because they are so similar to my stories. My grandma (Mammaw) was very impt to me and I love reading about your grandmas.
    I love your recipes and this TX casserole is wonderful! You’ll have to go and visit the King Ranch sometime while you are in your new state! Also, the Texas Hill Country is especially beautiful.
    All of Texas will welcome you, because we are very friendly people!
    In December ’09, while driving through Alabama on the way to Disney World (yea), I told my daughter and grand-kids we should stop and see you! We didn’t want to just drop in unannounced, but we thought good thoughts as we drove through your state.
    Take care and have a wonderful day.
    Wanda

    1. Hey Wanda! There is something to be said for deep roots, isn’t it? My ancestors lived here before Alabama was even a state, so not only is it home to me, it’s kinda like its home to my very soul.
      I’m thrilled to add another citizenship, though! Loved Texas and each and every Texan I’ve ever met!

      We were in Disney in November, did you see the light show in in MGM?

      Lord, I sure would love a chance to meet you and your daughter. This past December was pretty rough with me trying to pull of Christmas and get the book done but y’all holler if you pass through again!

      If you end up in the Huntsville area maybe we could grab coffee and pick some cotton! (just kidding about the cotton part).

      Gratefully,
      Christy

  5. I’ve had something very similar to this before when I was but a wee young bachelor. My roommate made it with Rotel and Doritos but otherwise was the same and it was quite tasty. Yours looks SO much easier though.

    And just what do they put in the water down there anyway? Freezing poor, innocent toys? tsk tsk We’re gonna have to send Buzz Lightyear to their rescue! hehe

  6. Let’s make this adoption official — Welcome to Texas, Christy! We’re proud to claim you as one of our own!
    … and King Ranch casserole is about as good as it gets around here. My kids eat it like dip with tortilla chips.

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