Description
This classic King Ranch Chicken casserole is a comforting Tex-Mex dish made with tender cooked chicken breasts layered with a creamy blend of soups, tomatoes, and flavorful seasonings, all baked with crunchy tortilla chips and melted cheese for a deliciously hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 large chicken breasts, cooked and diced
Sauce & Seasoning
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of mushroom soup
- 2 Tbsp dried minced onion flakes
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup Cheez Whiz
- Dash of Tabasco sauce
- Dash of Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Layers
- 1 (13-oz) bag tortilla chips, crushed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Dice the cooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, setting them aside for layering.
- Make Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, dried minced onion flakes, undrained Rotel tomatoes, Cheez Whiz, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir continuously until the mixture is well blended and heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble Casserole: Begin by lining the bottom of the prepared casserole dish with a layer of crushed tortilla chips. Spread the diced chicken evenly over the chips, then pour a portion of the sauce mixture on top. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese over this layer.
- Repeat Layers: Add another layer of crushed tortilla chips, chicken, and sauce. Finish by topping with the remaining cheddar cheese and the shredded mozzarella cheese for a gooey, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden on top.
Notes
- Using cooked chicken breasts saves time; you can also use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut.
- Ensure the soups are unsalted to control the sodium content, but adjust seasoning as needed.
- Crushing the tortilla chips roughly maintains some texture in the casserole.
- You can substitute cheeses based on preference, such as Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for a spicier kick.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking before serving for easier slicing and serving.
