5.0 from 6 votes
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a classic recipe using chicken layered with a creamy sauce studded with peppers and onions, then baked in a casserole dish with cheese and corn tortillas. This is a great family meal that everyone will enjoy!
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 602 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- salt & pepper
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup onion
- 1/2 green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 can tomatoes with green chiles
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 8 corn tortillas cut into quarters
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided, about 12oz
Instructions
Get prepped
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 casserole dish.
- Dice the chicken in small pieces, season with salt and pepper and taco seasoning.
Cup of Yum
Cook the chicken
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet, cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet, set aside.
Make the sauce
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, and sauté the onion and bell peppers until softened.
- Sprinkle the flour over the top and continue to cook briefly.
- Add in the chicken stock, canned tomatoes and green chiles. Bring to a simmer and allow to thicken.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the sour cream and ½ cup of the cheese.
Assemble & Bake
- Set aside about ½ cup of the sauce for topping.
- Spread a little of the sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the dish with half the chicken, top with half the sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
- Add a layer of tortillas.
- Repeat layer using the remaining chicken and sauce, and sprinkle with cheese.
- Layer the rest of the tortillas over the top.
- Spoon over the reserved half cup of sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake the casserole in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole bubbles up around the edges.
- Devour.
Notes
- How to store
- Refrigerate any leftovers in a covered container for up to 5 day. Reheat to piping hot.
- I don’t recommend freezing this dish. With the sour cream in the sauce, it can separate and not look too great.
- Substitutions/Additions
- What to serve with King Ranch Casserole
- Since this is a casserole, it doesn’t really need accompaniments. However, fresh pico de gallo, sliced jalapenos, guacamole or some sliced avocado would go great with this.
- You can use white or yellow corn tortillas, or switch it out for flour tortillas if you prefer.
- I make my own taco seasoning, but you could use chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin in a pinch. Just be sure to add salt and pepper and taste your food before assembling the casserole.
- If you can’t find the tomatoes and green chilies, you can use a can of green chiles in addition to a can of plain tomatoes.
- Black beans in the sauce is a great way to boost the protein and fiber.
- You can make this with a rotisserie chicken if you prefer. Just add the chicken to the sauce, and mix in the taco seasoning with that.
Nutrition Information
Calories
602kcal
(30%)
Carbohydrates
24g
(8%)
Protein
43g
(86%)
Fat
37g
(57%)
Saturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
152mg
(51%)
Sodium
766mg
(32%)
Potassium
692mg
(20%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
1249IU
(25%)
Vitamin C
27mg
(30%)
Calcium
469mg
(47%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 602
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 602kcal | 30% |
| Carbohydrates | 24g | 8% |
| Protein | 43g | 86% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 152mg | 51% |
| Sodium | 766mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 692mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 1249IU | 25% |
| Vitamin C | 27mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 469mg | 47% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.