King Ranch Casserole

King Ranch Casserole is a beloved Texas classic, known for its rich, creamy layers of shredded chicken, cheese, tortillas, and a flavorful, mildly spicy sauce. This comforting dish combines the essence of Tex-Mex flavors with a hearty casserole format, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings. With its cheesy goodness and layers of tender chicken and tortillas, King Ranch Casserole is a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and offers a satisfying, one-dish meal. This recipe can also be prepped ahead of time and baked when you’re ready to serve, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1 can (10 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Sauté the vegetables: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened.
3. Make the sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for an additional 3-4 minutes until well combined and heated through.
4. Layer the casserole: In the greased baking dish, spread a layer of torn corn tortillas on the bottom. Add a layer of the shredded chicken, then spoon a layer of the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle a layer of cheese on top. Repeat the layers (tortillas, chicken, sauce, cheese) until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese on top.
5. Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Garnish and serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

King Ranch Casserole is a delicious, easy-to-make dish full of creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors, perfect for a comforting meal that everyone will love!