King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch chicken casserole made from scratch: layers of corn tortillas, shredded chicken, tomatoes, green chiles and a creamy cheese sauce, baked until bubbly.
By Tasty Nest Recipes Editorial TeamPublished
1 hr 25 min total One 9 x 13-inch casseroleEasy
Photo: shawnzrossi · CC BY 2.0. Illustrative photo; your results may look different.
About this recipe
King Ranch chicken is a Texas potluck legend: a layered casserole of tortillas, chicken, peppers, tomatoes and cheese, a bit like an enchilada lasagna. Traditionally it relies on canned soups, but a quick homemade sauce tastes much fresher.
Use rotisserie chicken to save time. It is a great make-ahead dinner for busy weeks and a crowd-pleasing dish to share.
Equipment you'll need
- Large deep skillet
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
- Foil
Tips for success
- Briefly toasting the tortilla pieces in a dry skillet helps them hold their texture.
- Use leftover roast chicken or a rotisserie chicken (about 1 medium bird).
- Assemble up to 1 day ahead; add 10 to 15 minutes to the covered baking time.
Substitutions and variations
- Use pepper Jack for extra heat.
- Add a can of black beans to the chicken mixture.
- Use flour tortillas (not gluten free) for a softer casserole.
Storage and reheating
To store: Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Freeze the baked casserole, well wrapped, for up to 3 months.
To reheat: Reheat covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or microwave portions, until hot in the centre (165°F / 74°C).
Recipe
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch chicken casserole made from scratch: layers of corn tortillas, shredded chicken, tomatoes, green chiles and a creamy cheese sauce, baked until bubbly.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Rest
- 10 min
- Total
- 1 hr 25 min
- Yield
- One 9 x 13-inch casserole
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Tick off ingredients as you gather them.
Sauce
Casserole
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the vegetables
Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Melt the butter in the skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and peppers for 6 to 8 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin for 1 minute.
Step 2: Make the sauce
Whisk the cornstarch into the broth until smooth, then stir it into the skillet with the milk. Simmer, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened. Stir in the tomatoes, salt and chicken.
Step 3: Layer
Spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish. Add a third of the tortilla pieces, a third of the chicken mixture and 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat twice more, finishing with the chicken mixture. Top with the remaining cheese.
Step 4: Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbling and golden and hot in the centre (165°F / 74°C).
Step 5: Rest and serve
Rest for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with scallions and cilantro and serve.
Cuisine: Tex-Mex · Course: Dinner
Estimated nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430
- Protein
- 32 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fibre
- 4 g
- Sugars
- 5 g
Approximate values estimated from typical nutrition data for the listed ingredients, excluding optional toppings and serving suggestions. Actual values vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. Not verified by a dietitian or laboratory analysis.
tastynestrecipes.com/recipes/king-ranch-chicken-casserole
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