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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Carefully pour half of the prepared soup mixture over the existing layers, ensuring even coverage.
- Replicate the layering process with the remaining ingredients: tortillas, chicken, vegetables, cheese, and soup mixture, creating a symmetrical and hearty casserole.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, maintaining moisture and even cooking.
- 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.
- 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