Irresistible King Ranch Chicken Casserole: A Tex-Mex Delight That Will Leave You Begging for Seconds!

King Ranch Chicken Casserole – Indulge your taste buds with the mouthwatering flavors of our King Ranch Chicken Casserole. This Tex-Mex classic is a true crowd-pleaser, combining tender shredded chicken, zesty spices, melted cheeses, and crispy tortilla chips. With its creamy and savory layers, this casserole is a comfort food favorite that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Join us on a culinary adventure as we share the recipe that has become a cherished staple in our household.

In our little family, the King Ranch Chicken Casserole holds a special place in our hearts. It all started when my husband took his first bite of this Tex-Mex delight at a local restaurant. He was instantly smitten by the vibrant flavors and the comforting layers of cheesy goodness. Determined to recreate the magic in our own kitchen, we embarked on a culinary quest together. After a few trials and tweaks, we discovered the perfect combination of ingredients and techniques that made our homemade version even more irresistible. Now, this casserole has become our go-to dish for family gatherings and dinner parties, always bringing smiles and satisfied bellies. The King Ranch Chicken Casserole holds a cherished spot on our menu, and we’re thrilled to share our love for it with you.

Why This Casserole Will Win Your Heart?

• A Flavor Fiesta: This casserole boasts a harmonious blend of spices, including chili powder and cumin, that infuse each bite with a tantalizing kick. The combination of red bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and diced tomatoes with green chiles adds a delightful depth of flavor, complemented by the freshness of lime juice and cilantro.
• Creamy and Cheesy Layers: Our casserole embraces creamy goodness with a luscious mixture of sour cream and a medley of two types of grated cheese—pepper jack and cheddar. The melted cheeses create a heavenly blanket that envelops the chicken and vegetables, offering a satisfying and comforting experience with every spoonful.
• Perfectly Crispy Tortilla Chip Topping: The crushed tortilla chips bring an irresistible crunch to this casserole, adding an exciting textural contrast to the creamy layers beneath. As the casserole bakes, the chips become beautifully golden, creating a mouthwatering crust that will have you coming back for more.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon (8g) chili powder
• 1 teaspoon (2g) cumin
• 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
• Juice from one lime
• 1 can (10 oz./283g) diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 1 cup (240g) sour cream
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 4 cups (500g) cooked chicken, shredded
• 10 oz. (283g) tortilla chips, roughly crushed
• 2 cups (225g) grated pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups (225g) grated cheddar cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch (22x33cm) baking dish with nonstick spray.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Sprinkle the flour, chili powder, and cumin into the skillet, stirring well to coat the vegetables. Let it cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld together. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the chicken broth and lime juice. Continue cooking until the mixture has thickened to a creamy consistency.

Remove the skillet from the heat and gently fold in the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles and sour cream. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

Add the shredded chicken and chopped cilantro to the bowl, tossing everything together to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed. Adjust the seasoning if needed.

In a separate bowl, combine the grated pepper jack and cheddar cheeses.

Begin assembling the casserole by lining the prepared baking dish with one-third of the crushed tortilla chips. Follow this with half of the chicken mixture and one-third of the cheese. Repeat the layers once more, and finish with a final layer of tortilla chips and cheese.

Grease a sheet of aluminum foil generously with nonstick spray and cover the baking dish loosely. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and continue baking until the casserole turns golden brown and becomes delightfully bubbly, usually for an additional 10-15 minutes. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Get ready to savor each incredible bite!

Notes:

• Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking by adding other ingredients such as black beans, corn kernels, or diced green chiles.
• For a spicier kick, leave some or all of the seeds in the jalapeño pepper.
• This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. Simply increase the baking time by approximately 10-15 minutes if baking it directly from the refrigerator.

With its bold flavors, creamy textures, and layers of cheesy goodness, the King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a true culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving more. This Tex-Mex delight has the power to bring joy and comfort to your family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings with friends. Whether you’re looking to satisfy your cravings or impress your loved ones with a mouthwatering dish, this casserole is the answer. So gather your ingredients, embark on this flavorful journey, and let the King Ranch Chicken Casserole become a star on your dining table. Get ready to savor every bite and create cherished memories around this beloved recipe. Enjoy the warmth, the flavors, and the love that this dish brings, and make it a regular in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake it. Just remember to increase the baking time by approximately 10-15 minutes if baking it directly from the refrigerator.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! While the combination of pepper jack and cheddar cheeses provides a fantastic flavor profile, you can experiment with your favorite cheeses or use what you have on hand. Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend would also work well in this recipe.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Certainly! You can easily adapt this recipe to be vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding more vegetables or protein alternatives such as tofu or black beans. Adjust the seasonings accordingly to suit your taste preferences.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Yes, you can freeze any leftover casserole for future enjoyment. Make sure to wrap it tightly in foil or store it in an airtight container. When ready to enjoy, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in the oven until warmed through.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

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This Tex-Mex classic is a true crowd-pleaser, combining tender shredded chicken, zesty spices, melted cheeses, and crispy tortilla chips. With its creamy and savory layers, this casserole is a comfort food favorite that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Dinner, Main Course

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 4 tablespoons 56g unsalted butter
• 1 small yellow onion finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper seeded and finely diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and finely diced
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons 16g all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon 8g chili powder
• 1 teaspoon 2g cumin
• 1 cup 240ml chicken broth
• Juice from one lime
• 1 can 10 oz./283g diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 1 cup 240g sour cream
• 1/4 cup 15g fresh cilantro, chopped
• 4 cups 500g cooked chicken, shredded
• 10 oz. 283g tortilla chips, roughly crushed
• 2 cups 225g grated pepper jack cheese
• 2 cups 225g grated cheddar cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch (22x33cm) baking dish with nonstick spray.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
• Sprinkle the flour, chili powder, and cumin into the skillet, stirring well to coat the vegetables. Let it cook for another minute to allow the flavors to meld together. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the chicken broth and lime juice. Continue cooking until the mixture has thickened to a creamy consistency.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and gently fold in the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles and sour cream. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
• Add the shredded chicken and chopped cilantro to the bowl, tossing everything together to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
• In a separate bowl, combine the grated pepper jack and cheddar cheeses.
• Begin assembling the casserole by lining the prepared baking dish with one-third of the crushed tortilla chips. Follow this with half of the chicken mixture and one-third of the cheese. Repeat the layers once more, and finish with a final layer of tortilla chips and cheese.
• Grease a sheet of aluminum foil generously with nonstick spray and cover the baking dish loosely. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and continue baking until the casserole turns golden brown and becomes delightfully bubbly, usually for an additional 10-15 minutes. Let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Get ready to savor each incredible bite!

Notes

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking by adding other ingredients such as black beans, corn kernels, or diced green chiles.

For a spicier kick, leave some or all of the seeds in the jalapeño pepper.

This casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. Simply increase the baking time by approximately 10-15 minutes if baking it directly from the refrigerator.

Keyword King Ranch Chicken Casserole