• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to privacy navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

Join my free recipe email club!
Free eBook
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • ABOUT JO
  • Contact
  • Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • One Pot
  • Desserts
Home / Recipes
1 hour
4.44 from 55 votes
7 Comments

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Jump to RecipePrint RecipeJump to Video
  • 392
by: Joanna Cismaru
10.01.20

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole – Looking for a saucy, chicken-y, cheesy, and equally easy dinner? You’re at the right stop! This recipe will clear out some cans from your pantry in a matter of moments. Time to stir, layer, bake, and enjoy!

side view shot of king ranch chicken casserole fresh out of the oven and cut into slices with a couple slices missing and a black spatula inside

I’ve always been on a mission to change the stigma surrounding one of my favorite dinners: the casserole. You may be picturing a plate full of slop, flavorless and bland. I’m telling you, that’s not the way it has to be! Every time I concoct a casserole I make sure it’s filling, easy, and, above all, delicious. You just know that a name like king ranch chicken casserole will check all those boxes.

How can you go wrong with this list of ingredients? We have chiles, lots of chicken, the creamiest sauce, corn tortillas, cheddar cheese, and plenty of seasoning. While it may look a little lengthy, just give it a quick glance. See? Pretty easy, I know. I bet you’ve been looking for a way to use up these ingredients that have been hanging out in your kitchen, anyways.

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make king ranch chicken casserole

Ingredients

Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for a list of FULL ingredient amounts and instructions or click the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the page!

  • Olive oil – Other types of oil that are suitable for sautéing are avocado, vegetable, canola, grapeseed, safflower, and sunflower.
  • Onion – Any type. Even a few shallots would do.
  • Bell pepper – I used a red bell pepper, but you can use any color.
  • Condensed soup – Both cream of mushroom and cream of chicken.
  • Diced tomatoes – Crushed tomatoes can work in place if you don’t want the pieces of tomato.
  • Chicken broth – Or any type of broth you have handy.
  • Canned chiles – I used a whole 4oz can. You can substitute freshly chopped jalapeño, poblano, or Anaheim peppers. These canned green chiles are not spicy at all, quite mild.
  • Chili powder – Homemade or your favorite store-bought variety.
  • Garlic powder – Use as much or little as you like.
  • Chicken – Pre-cooked and shredded. If you have a little more or less than the recipe calls for, that will be fine.
  • Cheese – I used cheddar. You can use gouda, Monterey Jack, Colby, red Leicester, or even Gruyere.
  • Tortillas – Corn or flour. Up to you!
  • Chives – For garnish. Some freshly chopped cilantro will work too.
detailed process shots showing how to make king ranch chicken casserole

How to make king ranch chicken casserole

  1. Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 375F.
  2. Cook onion and pepper: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, then cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
  3. Make the sauce: Add the onion and pepper mixture to a large mixing bowl along with both the condensed soups, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, green chilies, chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined.
  4. Start to assemble casserole: Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with half of the chicken, then pour 2 cups of the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese, and spread half of the tortillas.
  5. Finish assembling casserole: Top with the remaining chicken, 2 more cups of sauce, 1 cup of cheese, and the remaining tortillas. Finish layering the casserole with the remaining sauce and then cheese.
  6. Bake and garnish: Transfer the baking dish to the oven and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has browned slightly. Garnish with green onion and serve.

Do I have to use condensed soup?

Some of us love using condensed soups in recipes like this, and some wince at the thought. No matter where you stand on this polarizing debate, there’s another route you can take!

You can simply make this recipe for bechamel instead. To make enough for this casserole, hover your cursor over the number of servings in the bechamel recipe card. Use your cursor to drag the number of servings to 15, giving you 2.5 cups of milk.

Bechamel, also called “white sauce”, is a base for many recipes, including “cream of” soups. You can add simple simple herbs, spices, sautéed veggies (like celery, carrots, or mushrooms) to your bechamel to create a more similar replication of the condensed soup.

overhead shot of king ranch chicken casserole fresh out of the oven and cut into slices

Get creative with your chicken

Today I’ve called for 3 cups of chicken. This is equivalent to what you’ll get from 1 whole cooked chicken. I love having the mixture of white and dark meat! You can cook up a whole chicken, or just use breasts, thighs, or drums. Get skinless to make your life easier.

Here are some of my favorite chicken recipes you can use to add a bit more flavor and pizzazz to your casserole:

  • Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Baked Chicken Breast
  • Instant Pot Chicken Breast
  • Pressure Cooker Whole Chicken
  • Spatchcock Chicken
  • Beer Can Chicken
side view shot of a slice of king ranch casserole on a white plate with a similar plate in the background

Leftovers

If there is quite a bit leftover, you can keep the leftovers in the casserole dish and cover it well with plastic wrap or foil. Otherwise, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat, use the microwave. You can also use preheat the oven to 350F, cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

How to freeze

Baked

  1. Let the casserole fully cool down to room temperature. Cover the dish well with both plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 4-6 months.
  2. Thaw the casserole fully in the fridge for 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 350F, and let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  3. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Unbaked

  1. Layer the casserole completely as per the recipe instructions.
  2. Cover the dish well with both plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 4-6 months.
  3. Thaw the casserole fully in the fridge for 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 375F, and let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
  4. Bake the casserole as per the recipe instructions.
overhead shot of king ranch chicken casserole fresh out of the oven and cut into slices with a couple slices missing and a black spatula inside

Loving this easy casserole recipe? Try these:

  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
  • No Peek Chicken Rice Casserole
  • Chicken Pasta Casserole
  • Quick and Easy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  • Cabbage Roll Casserole
  • Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole
  • Taco Stuffed Pepper Casserole
  • One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Looking for more recipes? Follow on… My Newsletter Pinterest Facebook Instagram

side view shot of king ranch chicken casserole fresh out of the oven and cut into slices with a couple slices missing and a black spatula inside

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

4.44 from 55 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 1 hr
Author: Joanna Cismaru
Serves: 8
Print Pin Rate
King Ranch Chicken Casserole – Looking for a saucy, chicken-y, cheesy, and equally easy dinner? You’re at the right stop! This recipe will clear out some cans from your pantry in a matter of moments. Time to stir, layer, bake, and enjoy!

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch Casserole Dish

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper diced
  • 10.75 ounce condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 can
  • 10.75 ounce condensed cream of chicken soup 1 can
  • 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes 1 can
  • ⅔ cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 4 ounce green chilies 1 can
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 cups chicken cooked, shredded
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 10 medium tortillas corn or flour, 4 of them cut into halves
  • 1 tablespoon chives chopped, for garnish
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 375F.
  • Cook onion and pepper: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, then cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
  • Make the sauce: Add the onion and pepper mixture to a large mixing bowl along with both the condensed soups, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, green chilies, chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined.
  • Start to assemble casserole: Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with half of the chicken, then pour 2 cups of the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese, and spread half of the tortillas.
  • Finish assembling casserole: Top with the remaining chicken, 2 more cups of sauce, 1 cup of cheese, and the remaining tortillas. Finish layering the casserole with the remaining sauce and then cheese.
  • Bake and garnish: Transfer the baking dish to the oven and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has browned slightly. Garnish with green onion and serve.

Video

Recipe Notes

  1. If there is quite a bit leftover, you can keep the leftovers in the casserole dish and cover it well with plastic wrap or foil. Otherwise, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  2. To reheat, use the microwave. You can also use preheat the oven to 350F, cover the casserole dish with foil, and bake for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 430kcal (22%)Carbohydrates: 31g (10%)Protein: 21g (42%)Fat: 25g (38%)Saturated Fat: 12g (75%)Cholesterol: 65mg (22%)Sodium: 1217mg (53%)Potassium: 393mg (11%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 1361IU (27%)Vitamin C: 27mg (33%)Calcium: 377mg (38%)Iron: 3mg (17%)
Course:Dinner
Cuisine:American
Keyword:king ranch chicken casserole
Tried this recipe? Rate it belowtag @jocooks on instagram and hashtag it #jocooks!
  • 392

Meet Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

30 recipes from around the world cover.

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

a fork taking a bite of the chicken enchilada quinoa bake
Previous Post
Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Casserole
side view shot of garlic knots in a bread bowl with some garlic knots surrounding the bowl
Next Post
Garlic Knots

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rate Recipe Cancel reply

Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Vickie Latimer says

    May 8, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    Can I cook this recipe in a crock pot or install pot?

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      May 9, 2022 at 11:20 am

      I don’t think it will work in an instant pot, but you should easily make this in the crockpot. Layer it as instructed, thought I would probably put a layer of tortillas at the bottom of the crockpot too, and then cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

      Reply
  2. Mary-Frances Aguirre says

    January 4, 2021 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe as I’ve loved every recipe that I’ve made from jocooks. It’s the best recipe site ever! Thank you for sharing your recipes.

    Reply
    • Joanna Cismaru says

      January 4, 2021 at 9:53 am

      My pleasure!

      Reply
  3. Angel G. says

    December 8, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Hi. I’m planning to make this tonight. But my husband hates tomatoes. Can I just skip diced tomatoes or any substitution? Thanks a lot.

    Reply
    • Jo Cooks Team says

      December 8, 2020 at 3:11 pm

      You can absolutely skip them!

      Reply
  4. Kelsey F says

    October 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    4 stars
    Great flavour but it needed to be served with something or on something like rice or noodles!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I'm Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More…
cover for the big book of jo's quick and easy meals.

My Cookbook

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Never miss a recipe!

Subscribe and get a FREE dinner recipes ebook!

Sign me up

Dinner Favorites

black pepper chicken on a bed of rice on a black plate.

Black Pepper Chicken

a slice of pastitsio on a black plate.

Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna)

side view shot of a piece of eggplant parmesan with marinara sauce in a white plate garnished with parsley and a piece cut out and held by a fork

Eggplant Parmesan

side view shot chicken souvlaki skewers with a little tzatziki on a plate

Chicken Souvlaki

yakisoba noodles with chicken and vegetables in a large serving platter.

Yakisoba

pouring lemon sauce over fried chicken.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

a chicken gyro wrapped in paper and topped with lots of tzatziki sauce with another gyro in the background

Chicken Gyros

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

Air Fryer Recipes

a roasted chicken on a serving platter along some roasted root veggies.

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

apple pie bombs on a white plate with the top one cut in half.

Air Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

3 cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

air fried chicken drumsticks in a basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

cooked chicken thighs in the basket of an air fryer.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

eggs inside an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs

lobster tails on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Lobster Tails

hands pulling apart a mozzarella stick with the rest in the background

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

freshly made bread in air fryer on a cutting board cut into slices.

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

bacon wrapped water chestnuts on a white serving platter.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

Jo Cooks...

Flavors from around the world

No matter what household we have all grown up in, there is something that has brought us all together here and that is a love and appreciation of food. Food that is from cultures and cuisines across the world has always been a staple of the blog. I'm excited to bring you all a taste of each corner of the earth, every last bite seasoned to perfection and served up with love - from my kitchen to yours.
lemon chicken made in the air fryer in a blue bowl.

Asian

overhead shot of a spoon taking a bite of italian meatball soup

Italian

freshly made pozole rojo in a dutch oven.

Mexican

mititei on a plate with mustard and french fries.

Romanian

a stack of roti wrapped in a clean kitchen towel.

Indian

freshly made hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with tomatoes cucumbers and olives.

Middle Eastern

Trending Now

overhead shot of oven baked chicken breasts in a baking dish

Baked Chicken Breast

overhead shot of oven baked chicken thighs in a pan

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

roast chicken with roast potatoes on a roaster.

Roast Chicken

a prime rib roast sliced on a plate

Prime Rib Roast

Browse All
  • Easy Dinners
  • Instant Pot
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Desserts
  • Recipe Index

Featured On

today logo.
huffpost logo.
the washington post logo.
jezebel logo.
countryliving logo.
good housekeeping logo.
lifehack logo.
buzzfeed logo.
mashable logo.
woman's day logo.
health logo.
better homes & gardens logo.
delish logo.
healthline logo.
nbc news logo.
blogloving logo.
university of washington logo.
shape logo.
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube
  • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
  • About Jo
  • Contact
  • visit my other site: Craving Home Cooked
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
© 2022 · All Rights Reserved · Back to Top
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Subscribe and get a free dinner recipes ebook!