King Ranch Casserole

5 from 8 votes

Posted: 03/12/20

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King Ranch Casserole is a delicious Tex Mex Casserole recipe that hails from Texas. It has layers of corn tortillas, cheese and creamy chicken filling loaded with peppers and green chiles. It’s the perfect quick and easy dinner recipe or dish to bring to a potluck!

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I hail from the land of casseroles and I’m not sad about that! With that being said, we are more of the Tater Tot Casserole people around the Midwest, but move on over because there’s a new casserole in town! This King Ranch Casserole might be my new favorite.

It has layers of corn tortillas, cheese and a creamy chicken filling with green and red peppers along with green chiles. It gives it a tiny little bit of zip, but isn’t to spicy which is a good thing for this midwestern.

It’s the perfect dish to serve up at a potluck or for a quick and easy dinner recipe. I might have to mix things up and serve this when I attend my next potluck that my famous Cheesy Chicken Hash Brown Casserole.

You might think that this originated on the famous King Ranch in Texas, which is the biggest ranch in all of Texas, but as far as I can tell it didn’t. It might have originated at that ranch but it’s still famous in Texas and you will see it at nearly every potluck.

Contents show

Ingredients Need!

Peppers – I grabbed a red and green bell pepper but you could use one or the other.
Onion – Peel and diced yellow onion
Olive Oil
Diced tomatoes with green chile peppers – Grab the level of “hotness” you would like!
Spices – You will need ground cumin and chile powder. If you want a little more spice you can add more chile pepper.
Soups – This recipe calls for a can of Cream of Mushroom and Cream of Chicken Soup
Cooked Chicken – Use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken to make this recipe easier!
Cheddar Cheese – We recommend grabbing a block of cheese and grating it yourself as it melts better.
Corn Tortillas – You could also use flour tortillas, but we feel corn holds up better and we like the texture in this casserole.

How to make King Ranch Casserole

This casserole is pretty simple to put together. Simply make the filling then layer it in a casserole dish and bake!

Prepare Filling

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion and peppers until softened about 7-10 minutes. (Photos 1 & 2)
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the onion and pepper mixture, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes, cumin, and chile powder Stir until completely combined. Reserve 3/4 c. of sauce for later. (Photos 3 & 4)

Layer Casserole

Spread ½ c. of sauce on the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. (Photo 1)
Spread 1⁄2 of the chicken over the sauce. (Photo 2)
Top chicken with half of the remaining sauce and then ⅓ of the cheese. (Photo 3)
Spread a layer of corn tortillas (½ the tortillas) over the cheese. (Photo 4)
Spread remaining chicken over the tortillas, top with remaining sauce (except reserved sauce) then ⅓ of the cheese, remaining tortillas, and the reserved sauce and remaining cheese. (Photos 5 & 6)

Bake

Place baking dish in oven at 350 degrees F. Bake for 40 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown.

Tips and Tricks to making King Ranch Casserole

If you want a casserole with more of a kick and a bit more chile pepper or grab the “Hot” diced tomatoes with green chiles.
We recommend using a block of cheese and grating it yourself. The result is “meltier” cheese that’s so much better and totally worth the few extra minutes.
It can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to three days. Simply prepare the casserole, cool completely, cover and place in the fridge. When you are ready to use place in the oven. Add about 10-15 minutes to cooking time because the dish is cold. If the cheese browns to fast cover with foil and continue baking.
It’s also freezer friendly. Once again prep and then cool, cover and place in the freezer for up to three months. When you are ready to use remove from the freezer, let thaw completely in fridge. When you are ready to use place in the oven. Add about 10-15 minutes to cooking time because the dish is cold. If the cheese browns to fast cover with foil and continue baking.
Use the slow cooker to make this casserole if you are going to a potluck. Instead of layering it in a baking dish layer it in the slow cooker. Cook on low 2-3 hours or until warmed through and cheese is melted.

Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!!? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!

This post was first seen on The Salty Marshmallow where I am a contributor.

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!