King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe – A creamy, cheesy and rich Texan classic, and guaranteed mood enhancer for cold winter evenings featuring layers of cheese, chicken, tortillas and bold green chiles!
Texas Specialties
Over the holidays I visited my brother in Texas.
I’m always enamored by the vast variety of regional specialties found in Texas. It seems Texas pride reaches into every element of life, especially local dishes.
My brother introduced me to a Texas chicken casserole I had never tried before, King Ranch Chicken Casserole.
History Of Creamy King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch, one of the largest and most historically innovative ranches in the world, was founded in the 1800s by a runaway, Richard King, who made a name for himself later in life in both the steamboat industry and ranching.
These days many things are named after the epic King Ranch, from lavish leather car interiors and furniture to creamy casserole recipes.
I’m not sure there’s a final word on whether Texas King Ranch Casserole actually originated at King Ranch, or whether it’s just a popular Texan title to tag on.
Either way, this ultra-creamy enchilada-style chicken casserole is a massive hit with anyone who tastes it.
Epic in its own right.
Easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Made From Scratch
When researching King Ranch Chicken Casserole, I found most recipes include condensed cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup.
However, I am not really a fan of adding processed condensed soup to any recipe. I find you can get better flavor and texture with fresh ingredients.
So I started from scratch with sour cream, green chiles, and tomatillo salsa verde, then tossed it with fresh cilantro and chopped chicken.
The result is a super silky casserole base with a hint of spice.
This King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a wonderful freezer make-ahead meal, and is also handy for potlucks and tailgating!
Chicken Casserole Ingredients
The creamy, savory chicken filling is layered in a casserole dish with shredded cheese and torn tortillas, then baked until golden and bubbly.
The rich sauce saturates the tortillas, forming tender decadent layers of spicy, cheesy goodness.
Here are the wonderfully simple ingredients you’ll need:Chopped Cooked
- Chicken – You can use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier. You can even us leftover holiday turkey!
- Sour Cream
- Onion – peeled and chopped
- Garlic – peeled and minced
- Butter
- Jarred Tomatillo Salsa Verde – your choice of mild or hot
- Chopped Green Chiles – 13.5 oz can
- Chopped Cilantro
- Ground Cumin
- Shredded Mexican Style Cheese
- White Corn Tortillas
How to Make the BEST King Ranch Chicken Casserole
I think my Texan friends would approve of this Easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe.
It has a definitive Tex-Mex flavor, an overall luxurious quality, and can be thrown together in minutes to feed the masses! One casserole is enough to yield 16 deliciously satisfying servings.
Here’s how to easily put together this scrumptious dish:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a skillet over medium heat and add the butter, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften.
- Next, in a large bowl mix the sautéed onions and garlic, chopped precooked chicken, sour cream, salsa verde, chopped green chiles, cilantro, and cumin.
- Tear the tortillas into rough pieces. Spoon one-quarter of the chicken filling in the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Then spread a single layer of torn tortillas over the top.
- Repeat layering the chicken filling, cheese, and tortillas three layers high, using up all the tortillas. Spread the last one-quarter of chicken filling and 1 cup of cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the King Ranch Chicken Casserole is golden and bubbly. Wait at least 5 minutes before cutting, and serve warm.
My brother would tell you it’s best with Cholula, a popular hot sauce in Texas, doused over the top.
Get The Full Texas King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe + VIDEO Below!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Serve With Creamy Chicken Casserole?
You can serve this casserole completely on its own for an easy and filling meal. Or, serve it with a side of Spanish rice, some extra tortillas and an easy tomato salad!
Can This Casserole Recipe Be Made Ahead of Time?
Yes! I love making this chicken casserole a few days before I am planning to enjoy it.
Simply allow it to cool completely before wrapping, and keep it in the freezer for up to three months or in the fridge for up to four days.
If frozen, allow the casserole to thaw completely before reheating. Bake uncovered in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly hot.
Is This Casserole Gluten Free, Low Carb and/or Keto-Friendly?
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but be sure you double-check the ingredients list for your corn tortillas and shredded cheese: some brands use gluten-based preservatives.
You can easily make this casserole keto by substituting the white corn tortillas for a keto-friendly tortilla made with coconut, almond and/or cassava flour.
Looking for More Favorite One-Pan Recipes?
- One-Pot Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Mom’s Best Beef Pot Roast Recipe
- Easy Jambalaya Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Chili Recipe
- Buffalo Chicken and Rice Skillet Recipe
- Balsamic Steak Sheet Pan Dinner Recipe
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Video
Ingredients
- 5 cups chopped cooked chicken (use leftovers or a rotisserie chicken)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1 large onions, peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 16 ounces jarred tomatillo salsa verde, mild or hot
- 13.5 ounces chopped green chiles
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 4 cups shredded Mexican style cheese
- 20 white corn tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place a skillet over medium heat and add the butter, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften.
- In a large bowl mix the sautéed onions and garlic, chopped chicken, sour cream, salsa verde, chopped green chiles, cilantro, and cumin.
- Tear the tortillas into rough pieces. Spoon one-quarter of the chicken filling in the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Then spread a single layer of torn tortillas over the top. Repeat layering the chicken filling, cheese, and tortillas three layers high, using up all the tortillas. Spread the last one-quarter of chicken filling and 1 cup of cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly. Wait at least 5 minutes before cutting. Serve warm!
Why would you rate a recipe 5 stars if it “tasted like a$$”?
I am planning on making this recipe and have a question. I’ve never purchases corn tortillas before but assume they some in different sizes as do the flour tortillas? If so, what size corn tortilla do I look for? Thanks,
Hi Katrinka,
Most corn tortillas are sold in a small standard size, because they are more brittle, so making them large is not a great idea. I think they are around 5-6 inches.
I took this to a BIG potluck. Believe it or not, the men there asked their wives to get this recipe. It was a smash. TY.
Amazing and delicious, this recipe is a keeper for sure! Unfortunately, I couldn’t find corn tortillas or green chillies at our local grocery store so I used Tostito chips instead and it was still fantastic. Finishing off the tiniest bowl of leftovers for lunch today. It was a huge hit!
I’ve only made this recipe one time and really liked it. Do you think I would be able to make this in a crockpot by prepping it the night before and cooking it the next day? I was thinking the tortillas might get too soggy.
AMAZING! I did make my own tomatillo salsa to use in it but other than that, wouldn’t change a thing! Can’t wait for leftovers:)
Made this tonight and it was excellent, everyone loved it, I will make it again. Used only about half the white corn tortillas to cut back on the carbs. Yum!
I made this recipe. It was great. Please let me know what size the tortillas should be.
Will it taste good with the boneless chicken breast too? The sauce looks so amazingly delicious
I’ve been making this recipe for family for 2 years. Everyone loves this! I’ve even made it with tortilla chips instead of corn tortillas. I sometimes add red and green bell peppers with the sauteed onions, or I’ll use canned tomatoes. I always use a full hen, and cook it and let it simmer in well seasoned water to absorb garlic and onion. It really makes this a super special dish. My daughter in law always requests this dish at least once a year. My parents, brothers, sisters, uncle’s and aunts love it!