King Ranch Chicken Casserole
A cozy, easy-to-make casserole featuring shredded chicken, creamy soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, cheddar cheese, and corn tortillas. Perfect for a comforting weeknight or weekend dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (about 450g)
- 1 can (10 oz/283g) canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 can (10.5 oz/298g) condensed cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 200g)
- About 10 yellow corn tortillas, cut into strips or quarters
- Optional: chopped onions or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If using leftover cooked chicken, shred about 3 cups into bite-sized pieces. If starting fresh, poach chicken breasts in simmering water for about 15 minutes until cooked through, then shred.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned diced tomatoes with green chilies and the condensed cream of mushroom soup. Stir gently until smooth and well blended.
- Fold the shredded chicken into the tomato and soup mixture until evenly coated. Optionally, toss in some chopped onions or bell peppers.
- Lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the chicken mixture on the bottom.
- Scatter a layer of the torn or cut yellow corn tortillas over the chicken mixture.
- Repeat layering between the chicken mixture and tortillas until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of the chicken mixture on top.
- Generously sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese over the final layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Let the casserole cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it set.
Notes
Do not over-soak the tortillas to avoid sogginess. Let the casserole rest before serving to firm up texture. If edges brown too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking. Use quality cheese for better melt and flavor. Variations include adding jalapeños for heat, substituting chicken with roasted vegetables for a vegetarian version, or using gluten-free tortillas for gluten-free diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 30
Keywords: King Ranch Chicken Casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, casserole, chicken recipe, cheesy casserole, Tex-Mex casserole