King Ranch Chicken Casserole

A casserole that lives up to its name in both flavor and boldness, this King Ranch Chicken Casserole comes together so easily and delivers a delicious meal with Tex-Mex flair!

Did you know that the King Ranch Chicken Casserole is the official state casserole of Texas? There are some who think the casserole was named after the famous King Ranch in South Texas (it makes sense, a ranch larger than life seems appropriate for a casserole with larger-than-life flavor), but in actuality, the recipe was likely developed by the budget-savvy homemaker who wanted their casserole to leave a legacy (and it did).

The bold flavors from chilis, peppers, and cumin, plus the heavy cream, make a tomato gravy that makes your mouth water in anticipation. Ultra-rich, creamy, and cheesy textures combine to make this Tex-Mex casserole a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

If you’re looking for more casserole favorites, be sure to try our Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, BBQ Chicken Casserole, Chicken Divan Casserole, and Confetti Chicken Casserole.

King Ranch Casserole Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
• 1 (14-ounce) can of diced tomatoes, drained
• ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 12 corn tortillas
• 4 ½ cups of shredded chicken, or about 2 lbs of chicken
• 4 cups of shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
• ¼ cup of chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Best Chicken for a King Ranch Chicken Recipe

This recipe is delicious using either shredded chicken breast or chicken thighs, depending on if you have a preference for light or dark meat, and made especially easy using this kitchen hack. A rotisserie chicken also makes for a great option or even canned chicken will work. Whichever you choose, you really can’t go wrong, so choose what works best for you in your kitchen!

How to Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole

1. Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with olive oil.
2. Saute the vegetables. In a large skillet or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bell peppers and toss to combine. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until fragrant (your kitchen will smell amazing!). 
3. Add remaining ingredients. Add the jalapeños, tomatoes, flour, broth, cream, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomato gravy starts to thicken.
4. Build the casserole. Layer half of the tortillas over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with half the shredded chicken, then pour half of the tomato gravy over the top and sprinkle evenly with half of the cheese. Repeat to make a second (and final) layer of each ingredient.
5. Cover and bake. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
6. Broil. Remove the baking dish from the oven and remove the foil. Switch your oven to broil and place the baking dish under the broiler for 3 minutes, or until the cheese starts to crisp and brown just a bit. Keep a close eye here, it doesn’t take long! Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
7. Serve and enjoy! Serve the casserole warm, garnished with green onions (if desired), and enjoy!

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What to Serve with King Ranch Chicken Casserole

This casserole is a meal on its own with a good balance of vegetables, healthy fats, and protein, but is really delicious alongside a simple baby greens salad, lemony arugula, or Mexican corn salad. 

Variations for this King Ranch Chicken Recipe

This casserole is traditionally made with shredded chicken and Tex-Mex flavors, but there are plenty of ways you can make this recipe your own. Here are some ideas:

• Swap the protein. Use shredded pork (as featured in Cook Once Dinner Fix) or ground beef in place of the shredded chicken.
• Make it gluten free. Use gluten free flour (our favorite is King Arthur Measure for Measure) as your all-purpose flour for a gluten free tomato gravy.
• Add different veggies. Use corn, green chiles, or whatever you have on hand as the vegetable component for your tomato gravy.

Storing and Freezing this Chicken King Ranch Casserole Recipe

As with any casserole, this dish serves plenty, so there’s a good chance you’ll have leftovers! To store, let cool completely, cover, and pop into the fridge for up to 5 days. This casserole also freezes and reheats beautifully. To store in the freezer, place in an airtight container or in a covered casserole dish double wrapped in foil for up to 3 months. 

King Ranch Casserole Recipe Frequently Asked Questions