This creamy, spicy King Ranch Chicken Casserole is simply made with rotisserie chicken, Rotel tomatoes, cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soups, corn tortillas, seasonings, and lots of cheddar cheese! This easy and delicious chicken casserole is ready to eat in under an hour.
For a different kind of Southern comfort, my Cajun Sausage Spaghetti is a one-pot dinner that brings all the smoky, spicy goodness with barely any cleanup.
While its roots may lie deep in the heart of Texas, the popularity of King Ranch Casserole knows no boundaries. From north to south and east to west, everybody loves it! I've come up with a couple of shortcuts to get dinner on the table a little quicker without sacrificing flavor!
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Why You'll Love It
Even though King Ranch Chicken Casserole has been around for decades, it's still on the top of the list for what to make for dinner! Probably because it's an all-inclusive supper, easy to make, filling and comforting, flavor packed, and the leftovers are even better the next day! I hope you enjoy my version!
My Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is another fabulous recipe that uses similar ingredients so be sure to check out that recipe as well if you're a fan of spicy chicken casserole.
Ingredients You'll Need
Chicken - rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and very convenient to pick up at the grocery store. Use the regular flavor (or traditional flavor).
Onion, Bell Pepper, and Celery Seasoning Blend - this is another great shortcut that I love! It's already chopped and located in the frozen vegetable section in the grocery store. It also has some chopped parsley for added herb appeal. You'll saute the vegetable blend in the butter.
Rotel Tomatoes - these tomatoes give Rotel Chicken Casserole its iconic flavor. Pick the flavor that suits you and your family, such as mild, original, or hot! I use Rotel tomatoes in my Mexican Spaghetti, too, for that added splash of flavor.
Tortillas - use the 6-inch tortillas. Slice them with a pizza slicer to make them easier to layer. Slicing them also makes it easier to scoop out the casserole.
Cheese - cheddar cheese is my family's favorite for this casserole; the main thing is to shred your own cheese for the best cheesy flavor and creamy texture.
Canned Cream Soups - yes, yes, I like to use cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup for this particular casserole. These are those particular ingredients that are legendary for this dish because of their ultra creaminess that they provide.
Seasonings - dried cilantro, garlic powder, chili powder, and black pepper add just a touch more flavor. I don't add any salt because the soups, cheese, rotisserie chicken, and Rotel tomatoes have plenty of salt.
Ingredient Substitutions
| Instead of this | Try this |
|---|---|
| Rotisserie chicken | 3 cups cooked chopped or shredded chicken breasts or thighs |
| Frozen onion, bell pepper, and celery | 1 cup chopped onion, ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper, and ¼ cup chopped celery |
| Rotel tomatoes | diced tomatoes or chili tomatoes |
| Corn tortillas | Fritos chips or tortilla chips |
| Cheddar cheese | Monterey jack or pepper jack |
| Butter | olive oil |
How to Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Here's a quick overview of the instructions. Use the recipe card when you make it.
Step 1 - Saute the veggies in butter.
Step 2 - Add chicken, tomatoes, soups, and seasonings.
Step 3 - Place a tortilla strips layer in pan.
Step 4 - Add a layer of chicken mixture and a layer of cheese.
Step 5 - Repeat layers two more times. Bake as directed.
Step 6 - Garnish with sliced avocado, dollop of sour cream, and onions!
What to Serve With It
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is pretty filling all by itself. But I always feel like I have to serve something with it; guess that's ingrained in my head 🙂
So here are some suggestions you could serve alongside this casserole:
- Crisp green salad
- Rolls or Mexican Cornbread
- Seasoned black beans
- Whole kernel corn
Tips for Success
- Shred the rotisserie chicken while it's still warm for easier handling and maximum juiciness.
- Layer the ingredients evenly and make sure every tortilla strip has some chicken mixture on it.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and Rotel tomatoes. For more heat, add some sliced jalapenos!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
To store leftovers, transfer the cooled casserole to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I like this 18-piece set of glass food storage containers with locking lids from Bayco. Available now on Amazon.
For the best flavor and texture, reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power or in a warm oven until heated through.
Questions You May Have
Here are a few frequently asked questions people have asked about this casserole.
es, assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Allow it to come to room temperature before placing it in the oven.
Absolutely! Once assembled, cover the casserole tightly with foil and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Certainly! Layer the ingredients in the slow cooker as instructed, then cook on low for 4-6 hours or until bubbly and heated through.
More Chicken Casseroles You'll Love
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Recipe
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Equipment
- large skillet
- 9x9-inch baking pan or 8x12-inch oval casserole dish
- measuring cup(s)
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cups frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery seasoning blend found in your grocery store's frozen vegetable isle
- 1 Rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded. Meat shredded or chopped into bite-size pieces
- 10 oz Rotel tomatoes do not drain the liquid; use tomatoes and all the liquid
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
- ½ teaspoon dried cilantro to release the flavor, crush the cilantro between your fingers before adding to the recipe.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 9 6" corn tortillas, cut into strips cut each tortilla into 3 strips. a pizza cutter works great to cut the tortillas.
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shred your own cheese. the pre-shredded cheese is too powdery.
Garnishes
- sour cream dollop
- avocado slices
- sliced green onions
Instructions
Before You Begin
- It's a good idea to read through the ingredients, directions, and notes once or twice before you begin making the recipe for a smoother and more successful baking experience.
How to Make King Ranch Chicken
- Preheat oven to 325F. Spray 9x9-inch pan with non-stick spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat (don't have the heat too high or the butter might burn), melt the butter and saute the onion, bell pepper, and celery blend until it's softened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat.2 Tablespoons butter, 2 cups frozen chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery seasoning blend
- Blend the rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, both soups, garlic powder, chili powder, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the cooked onion, bell pepper, and celery mixture. Alternatively, if your skillet is large enough, place these ingredients into the skillet with the sauteed onion mixture and blend well.1 Rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded. Meat shredded or chopped into bite-size pieces, 10 oz Rotel tomatoes, 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup, 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup, ½ teaspoon dried cilantro, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Place ⅓ of the tortilla strips in the bottom of the pan. Top with ⅓ of the chicken mixture, then ⅓ of the cheese. Repeat layers two more times. Tip - Make sure each of the tortilla strips are covered with the chicken mixture to help keep them from drying out.9 6" corn tortillas, cut into strips, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake on the center oven rack for 30 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, sliced green onions (or jalapenos) and sliced avocado, if desired.sour cream dollop, avocado slices, sliced green onions
- If you try this recipe, let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I'd love to hear about it!
Notes
-
- Shred the rotisserie chicken while it's still warm for easier handling and maximum juiciness.
- Layer the ingredients evenly and make sure every tortilla strip has some chicken mixture on it.
- Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and Rotel tomatoes. For more heat, add some sliced jalapenos!
- For ingredient substitutions, please see my suggestions in the post above.
- Store leftovers, covered in the fridge, for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
Reese
Always been my favorite!