Classic Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Recipe

King Ranch chicken casserole represents a Tex-Mex comfort food legend that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Southwestern flavors dance across your plate with each rich, cheesy bite.

Layers of tender chicken, tortillas, and vibrant vegetables promise a satisfying dining experience.

Bold spices and creamy sauces blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing dish.

Home cooks adore its straightforward preparation and ability to feed a hungry crowd.

Warm, hearty, and packed with robust flavors, this casserole feels like a culinary hug.

You’ll want to make extra for leftovers and share with friends.

What Makes King Ranch Chicken Casserole a Recipe Favorite

• Savor Southwestern Comfort: This casserole delivers a mouthwatering explosion of Tex-Mex flavors that warm your soul with every single bite, combining creamy textures and bold spices in perfect harmony.
• Master a Stress-Free Meal: Requiring minimal prep work and using simple ingredients, this recipe transforms into an effortless one-dish wonder that feeds a hungry crowd without complicated cooking techniques.
• Create Layered Flavor Brilliance: Multiple ingredient layers build incredible depth, with tortillas, tender chicken, melted cheeses, and zesty peppers creating a complex taste experience that keeps each forkful exciting and delicious.
• Wow Guests with Minimal Effort: This crowd-pleasing casserole looks impressive and tastes gourmet but comes together quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where you want maximum flavor with minimal kitchen stress.

All You Need for the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken: Protein-packed main component, shredded for easy distribution throughout the casserole.
• Corn Tortillas: Authentic Tex-Mex base that adds texture and helps bind the casserole layers.

• Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese: Creamy, melty cheeses that provide rich flavor and golden-brown topping.
• Cream of Chicken Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup: Create a smooth, creamy sauce base with deep flavor.

• Onions, Red Bell Pepper, Yellow Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that add color, crunch, and sweet flavor.
• Jalapeno: Provides optional heat and authentic southwestern kick.
• Diced Tomatoes with Chiles: Adds moisture and mild spiciness to the dish.
• Chicken Broth: Helps create a moist and flavorful casserole base.

• Chili Powder: Provides warm, smoky southwestern flavor.
• Cumin: Adds earthy, traditional Mexican-inspired seasoning.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance overall taste.

How to Make the Classic King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and generously coat it with butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Sauce

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can diced tomatoes with chiles
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Chicken broth

Whisk everything together until smooth and well-blended.

Step 3: Build Tasty Layers

Start layering your casserole with these components:

• 4-5 torn corn tortillas
• 1/2 of shredded chicken
• Diced onions
• Red bell peppers
• Yellow bell peppers
• Chopped jalapenos
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Monterey jack cheese

Pour 1/2 of the sauce mixture over this layer

Repeat the entire layering process for the second layer

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are bubbly.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. This allows flavors to settle and makes cutting easier.

Handy Tips to Improve Your Chicken Casserole Recipe

• Crisp the Topping: Broil briefly after baking to create a golden, crunchy surface that adds exciting texture and visual appeal.
• Customize Your Layers: Mix up the ingredients by adding black beans, roasted corn, or diced green chiles for extra flavor and personal flair.
• Prepare Ahead: Assemble the casserole a day before and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making dinner prep super easy.
• Slice Strategically: Allow the dish to rest 5-10 minutes after baking, ensuring clean cuts and helping ingredients set perfectly.
• Elevate with Cheese: Hand-grate fresh cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties for maximum melting and rich, creamy goodness.

Storage Tips for Your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

• Freezer Champion: Seal your casserole in an airtight, high-quality freezer container to preserve maximum flavor and texture. Wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil, creating a protective barrier against freezer burn and moisture loss. Label the container with the date to track freshness and consume within 2 months for optimal taste.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Cool the casserole completely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and bacterial growth. Transfer to a sealed glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid, which helps maintain moisture and prevents odor absorption. Consume within 3-4 days for the best quality and food safety.

Ways to Switch Up the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

• Spicy Beef Fiesta: Replace chicken with ground beef, add taco seasoning, and include black beans for extra protein and southwestern flair.
• Green Chile Chicken Swap: Use roasted green chiles instead of diced tomatoes, incorporate shredded rotisserie chicken, and sprinkle pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Vegetarian Mountain: Substitute chicken with black beans, add corn kernels, use vegetable broth, and include extra bell peppers for a hearty meatless version.
• Tex-Mex Seafood Edition: Switch chicken with lump crab meat or shrimp, mix in cilantro, use pepper jack cheese, and add a splash of lime juice for a coastal-inspired casserole.

Wrapping Up the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

King Ranch Chicken Casserole whisks Texan comfort into a memorable meal that celebrates southwestern culinary heritage.

Mexican-inspired layers meld seamlessly with classic American casserole techniques, creating a harmonious dish packed with robust flavors.

Southwestern spices dance through creamy soup mixtures while cheese creates golden-brown crispy edges that beckon hungry diners.

Chicken becomes the perfect protein canvas for this hearty family favorite that promises satisfaction in every forkful.

Regional ingredients showcase cultural culinary connections beyond simple recipe preparation.

Southwest charm radiates from this masterful casserole – you’ll want to share, like, comment, and spread deliciousness across social platforms for fellow recipe enthusiasts to discover.

Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Casserole brings Texan comfort to dinner tables with layers of shredded chicken, tortillas, and melted cheese. Spicy jalapeños and rich cream-based sauce create a soul-warming meal that celebrates southwestern culinary traditions you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 roasted whole chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!), cooled and shredded
• 2 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1 large white or yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 jalapeno, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Dairy, Soup, Cheese, and Other Ingredients:

• Butter, for greasing the baking dish
• 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10 ounces / 283 grams) can of diced tomatoes with chiles (such as Rotel)
• 16 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
• 1 ½ cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cups grated Monterey Jack cheese

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Generously coat a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-centimeter) baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create a flavor-rich sauce by whisking together cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with chiles, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and chicken broth in a spacious mixing bowl until smoothly combined.
3. Construct the first foundational layer by spreading half of the torn tortillas across the bottom of the buttered baking dish. Distribute half of the shredded chicken evenly over the tortillas.
4. Scatter diced onions, red and yellow bell peppers, and jalapeños across the chicken layer. Generously sprinkle half of the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses over the vegetable medley.
5. Carefully pour half of the prepared soup mixture over the existing layers, ensuring even coverage.
6. Replicate the layering process with the remaining ingredients: tortillas, chicken, vegetables, cheese, and soup mixture, creating a symmetrical and hearty casserole.
7. Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, maintaining moisture and even cooking.
8. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the casserole becomes gloriously bubbling and the cheese melts into a golden, tempting surface.
9. Allow the casserole to rest and slightly cool for 5-10 minutes before serving, which helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.

Notes

• Fresh Cheese Creates Magic: Personally grate cheese right before cooking to unlock maximum melting potential and boost overall flavor complexity.
• Strategic Layering Matters: Distribute ingredients evenly across each layer ensuring consistent taste and texture throughout the entire casserole.
• Playful Recipe Twists: Transform traditional recipe by swapping corn tortillas for lasagna noodles or experimenting with enchilada-style rolling techniques.
• Crispy Top Technique: Carefully broil casserole’s surface for a golden, crunchy finish that adds delightful textural contrast.
• Patient Serving Approach: Allow casserole to rest briefly after baking, enabling ingredients to settle and maintain structural integrity when slicing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg