Description
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a hearty, flavorful Tex-Mex layered dish featuring tender shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy soups, salsa, and melted Mexican cheese baked to perfection. This comforting casserole combines the perfect blend of spices and textures, making it a family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and serves eight.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Mixture
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup chunky salsa
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or garlic salt)
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
Main Ingredients
- 12 (8-inch) corn tortillas, cut into quarters
- 1 (3-pound) rotisserie chicken, boned and shredded (about 4½ cups cooked chopped chicken)
- 3 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set this pan aside for assembling the casserole.
- Make the Sauce Mixture: In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, chunky salsa, garlic powder (or garlic salt), and dried minced onion flakes. Stir constantly until warm throughout, about 5 minutes. Once heated, remove the saucepan from heat and set aside.
- Layer the Casserole: In the prepared baking pan, arrange half of the quartered corn tortillas evenly on the bottom. Spread half of the shredded chicken over the tortillas. Sprinkle one cup of shredded Mexican-blend cheese over the chicken layer. Pour half of the warm soup mixture evenly over the cheese. Repeat these layers one more time: tortillas, chicken, cheese, and soup mixture. Finally, top the casserole with the remaining one cup of shredded cheese for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and has browned slightly on top, indicating a bubbly and delicious finish.
Notes
- You can substitute salsa with mild or hot according to your taste preference.
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time, but cooked chicken breasts or thighs can also be used.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set before serving.
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
