Name: King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp cooking oil; 2 Tbsp butter; 1 yellow onion; 1 green bell pepper; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel), drained; 1/2 cup sour cream; 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded; 5 cups tortilla chip strips (thick, rectangular style); 2 green onions, sliced

There’s something irresistibly comforting about layers of creamy, cheesy goodness combined with tender chicken and a spicy kick—that’s exactly why this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is a go-to in my kitchen. It’s a one-dish marvel that feels like a warm hug, perfect for family dinners or when you want to impress without fuss.

A white casserole dish filled with a three-layer baked dish, the top layer is golden melted cheese with a slightly uneven texture, giving a crispy and creamy look. On top, a thick line of finely chopped bright red tomatoes and green herbs runs down the center. The edges show some bubbling cheese with hints of the layers underneath. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred green plant in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe has been a lifesaver in my weekly meal rotation because it’s quick to prepare yet packs deep, comforting flavors that everyone always asks for seconds on. Honestly, it’s like a celebration in every bite without the fuss.

Flavor Explosion: The blend of chili powder, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and cheddar cheese creates a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors.
Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need a fancy trip to specialty stores—everything is easy to find and budget-friendly.
Texture Play: Thick tortilla chip strips add crunch and hold up beautifully soaking up the saucy layers without turning mushy.
Family Friendly: It’s a crowd-pleaser that satisfies picky eaters and adults alike, often disappearing faster than I expect!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe plays a vital role in building those punchy yet cozy flavors. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials and why they shine together—plus my tips on picking the best options.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with chili powder, a small white bowl of cooking oil, a few pats of fresh butter, a whole yellow onion, a whole green bell pepper, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of diced tomatoes with green chiles, a small white bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, a handful of thick rectangular tortilla chip strips, two whole green onions placed side by side, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breast: Lean and tender, it soaks up the chili flavor beautifully when pounded to an even thickness for quick, even cooking.
Chili powder: Adds smoky warmth without overpowering, balancing heat and flavor perfectly.
Cooking oil: Use a neutral oil like canola or vegetable to crisp the chicken nicely without imparting extra flavor.
Butter: Adds richness and helps soften the veggies while building the roux base.
Yellow onion: Classic sweetness softened in butter creates a flavorful backbone.
Green bell pepper: Adds a mild, fresh crunch that brightens the dish.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the gravy gently, making the sauce luxuriously smooth and creamy.
Chicken broth: The liquid base that pulls all flavors together—opt for low sodium so you can control salt balance.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: A superstar ingredient from a can (like Rotel), contributing zesty juiciness and subtle heat.
Sour cream: Brings a tangy creaminess that softens the spice and adds body to the sauce.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp and melty, it’s essential for that signature cheesy layer atop the casserole.
Tortilla chip strips: Use thick, sturdy strips to keep that satisfying crunch without turning soggy.
Green onions: Fresh brightness from the garnish rounds out the dish with a mild bite and color pop.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Now, I completely get that everyone’s tastes and pantry contents differ, so I love tossing in my own little spins or helping you tweak it just how you like. You should definitely feel free to experiment and make this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap chicken breasts for shredded rotisserie chicken to save time on prep—less cooking but all the classic flavor intact.
Spicy upgrade: If you like more heat, add an extra diced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne into the sautéed veggies.
Dairy-free option: Try substituting sour cream with plain coconut or cashew yogurt and use a dairy-free cheese to suit your needs.
Veggie-packed: Sneak in some corn or black beans for extra texture and color that still harmonize well with the flavor base.

Step-by-Step: How I Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

The image shows a bright layered dish on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer has chunks of light cream-colored pieces mixed with bits of green and red vegetables, covered by a thick, smooth, orange-yellow cheese layer. On top, there is a generous amount of finely chopped red tomatoes and green herbs, adding a fresh and colorful contrast to the cheesy layer. In the blurred background, a white baking dish with the same dish is visible, making the plated piece the main focus of the photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Flatten and Season with TLC

Start by placing your chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pounding them to a consistent ¾ to 1-inch thickness. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy. Then sprinkle both sides generously with chili powder to build that signature smoky flavor right from the start.

Step 2: Get That Perfect Golden Sear

Heat your cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. When it’s shimmering, lay the chicken breasts down and resist the urge to move them around too much. Let each side develop a beautiful brown crust, about 5 minutes per side. This locking in of flavor is key before you remove them to rest and cool.

Step 3: Sauté Your Veggies and Make a Roux

In that same skillet, toss in butter, diced onion, and bell pepper. Cook over medium heat until the onions soften and become translucent—this usually takes about 5 minutes. Next, sprinkle in flour and keep stirring for about a minute until it’s golden. This little step turns the veggies into a luscious thickener base for your casserole sauce.

Step 4: Whisk in Broth and Build Flavor

Slowly add chicken broth, stirring constantly to dissolve the flour and scrape up those fantastic browned bits from the pan bottom. Let it reach a gentle simmer and thicken into a gravy—it should coat your spoon. Turn off the heat here and get ready to add your flavor-packed mix-ins.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Tomatoes

Drain the diced tomatoes with green chiles well before adding them to the gravy along with diced cooked chicken. Stir in the sour cream and half of your shredded cheddar cheese, blending everything into a creamy, irresistible filling.

Step 6: Layer and Bake to Perfection

In your casserole dish, start with a base of tortilla chip strips. Then spoon half the chicken mixture on top, followed by more chips, then the rest of the chicken mix. Top it off with the remaining cheese and bake at 375ºF for about 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Finish with sliced green onions for that fresh crunch and color.

Top Tip

From my many attempts perfecting the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, I learned these tidbits can save you time and enhance flavors, making your casserole even better than expected.

Even Thickness Matters: Pounding the chicken ensures it cooks evenly without drying out, so don’t skip this step!
Don’t Overload the Chips: I’ve found it’s tempting to pile on chips, but layering too much can make the casserole soggy rather than crunchy and chewy.
Use Freshly Shredded Cheese: It melts smoother and imparts better flavor than pre-shredded varieties.
Drain Tomatoes Well: Excess liquid can make the casserole watery, so give those tomatoes a good drain before stirring them in.

How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I always top the finished casserole with freshly sliced green onions—it adds a lovely mild sharpness and vibrant green pop that brightens each cheesy, creamy bite. A dollop of sour cream alongside also goes over well if you like an extra creamy touch.

Side Dishes

Pair this comforting casserole with a crisp green salad or simple steamed veggies to balance out the richness. For heartier meals, I love serving it with refried beans or Mexican-style rice to keep the Tex-Mex vibe going strong.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve layered it in individual ramekins for a cute personal serving, then sprinkled with cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime to elevate the flavors and presentation. It’s a fun twist that impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover King Ranch Chicken Casserole keeps beautifully covered in the fridge for 3-4 days. I store it in an airtight container, and it reheats wonderfully without losing moisture or flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole successfully by assembling it in a freezer-safe dish, tightly wrapping it with foil, and storing for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—just add extra baking time if cold from the fridge.

Reheating

I find reheating in a 350ºF oven covered with foil helps maintain that cheesy, creamy texture without drying out. It typically takes 20-25 minutes—you’ll know it’s ready when it’s hot and bubbly around the edges again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Using shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that saves time without sacrificing flavor. Just add it to the sauce as you would the cooked chicken breasts.

What kind of tortilla chips work best?

Thick and sturdy tortilla chip strips hold up the best in this casserole. Thin chips often dissolve into mush, while the thicker ones (like the rectangular Mission brand) maintain a nice texture throughout baking.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble it fully and store it in the fridge, then bake it when you’re ready—perfect for meal planning or entertaining. It also freezes well if you want to prepare it weeks in advance.

Is there a vegetarian version of King Ranch Chicken Casserole?

You can swap the chicken for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or black beans and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make a delicious vegetarian casserole with similar flavors and textures.

Final Thoughts

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe has a special place in my heart and on my table. It’s the kind of dish that welcomes you home with warmth and satisfying flavor. You’ll enjoy making it your own, serving it up for family or friends, and savoring those cozy moments that only a hearty, cheesy casserole can deliver. I can’t wait for you to try it and see why it’s such a beloved classic.