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This cheesy king ranch casserole is rich and indulgent! It’s the best simple meal to throw together on a busy weeknight or when you’re craving something wholesome and satisfying. Layers of cheese, chicken, and tortillas are baked until brown and bubbly to create this crowd-pleasing dish!

close up image of king ranch casserole being lifted out of the baking dish

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • It’s lusciously cheesy and delicious! When I say cheesy, I mean cheesy. Aside from the shredded cheddar cheese, two cans of condensed soup add to the richness of this casserole.
  • It’s the perfect dish to bring to a potluck or serve to a crowd! This king ranch casserole recipe bakes up about 10 servings making it the perfect meal for a large group. Also, this casserole makes for delicious leftovers as well!
  • It takes just 10 minutes to prep, then the oven does the rest of the work for you! That’s right, this cheesy and delicious casserole requires barely any effort to make. With just one skillet, a baking dish, and 10 minutes you’ll have a comforting home-cooked meal.

Key Ingredients

Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup – This can of condensed soup contributes to the richness and coziness of this recipe! Using canned soup also takes much of the work out of throwing this meal together. Thick and creamy condensed cream of chicken soup gives this casserole its signature creamy texture while packing in extra delicious flavor.

Shredded Chicken – I used this easy method to shred and prepare chicken for this king ranch casserole recipe. You can also purchase pre-cooked and shredded chicken at the grocery store to make this already-simple recipe even easier to make.

Corn Tortillas – Layers of corn tortillas add structure and texture to this casserole. The tortillas also soak up all of the delicious flavors in this recipe when baked. You can either slice the tortillas into halves, fourths, or six triangles to stack into your casserole. I prefer smaller tortilla triangles for a more even distribution throughout the dish, but go with whatever you prefer!

Chef’s Tips

  • This cheesy king ranch casserole can be enjoyed on its own or with a side of veggies for a complete meal! I shared this delicious meal with family and despite the presence of a variety of side dishes, everyone just reached for second and third helpings of this indulgent casserole.
  • You can prep this casserole ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to one day before baking. To do this, assemble the casserole as instructed then cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed in the recipe!
  • Feel free to layer this king ranch casserole however you’d like! You have the option to split the filling ingredients into three or four parts for even more delicious layers.
king ranch casserole on a small plate with a fork

Other Delicious Casserole Recipes

Recipe By: Sam Guarnieri
5 from 10 votes

Cheesy King Ranch Casserole


Prep 10 minutes
Cook 35 minutes
Total 45 minutes
Layers of cheese, chicken, and tortillas baked until brown and bubbly – super easy, super delicious!
9 servings

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9×13 baking dish
  • Cooking spray

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper any color, chopped
  • 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 10.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
  • 12 corn tortillas sliced into triangles, divided
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Lightly grease 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
  • Heat neutral oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot and shimmering, add onion and bell pepper to skillet. Stir to incorporate, then let veggies cook 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly softened.
    King-Ranch-Casserole-Process-Photo-1
  • Remove skillet from heat. Pour in cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and diced tomatoes. Stir to incorporate, then add chili powder, dried oregano, and shredded chicken. Stir until all ingredients are well combined, then set aside.
    King-Ranch-Casserole-Process-Photo-2
  • Line bottom of baking dish with triangles from 6 corn tortillas. Top tortillas with 50% of chicken mixture and spread mixture into one even layer. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients have been added to baking dish.
  • Place baking dish in preheated oven. Bake casserole uncovered 35 to 40 minutes, or until cheese is browned and bubbling. Remove baking dish from oven and let casserole cool slightly, then divide into portions and serve.
  • Leftovers: Refrigerate leftover casserole in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat in microwave or bake at 350°F until warmed through.
  • Make it Gluten Free: Use gluten-free soups and make sure your shredded cheese is free from any gluten-containing starches or fillers.

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1servingCalories: 295calProtein: 14gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 667mgPotassium: 290mgTotal Carbs: 24gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gNet Carbs: 21gVitamin A: 859IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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19 Comments

  1. Being from Texas this recipe is a staple and considered pure comfort food. You are sure to find it at any pot luck. I have never met a person that didn’t love it. Hubby loves it served with sliced avocados on top. For those asking it freezes beautifully.5 stars

  2. Excellent recipe, we really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. I did sauté garlic with the onion and bell pepper. I also added a dash of cumin.5 stars

    1. We didn’t test freezing it so can’t say for sure. I’d be concerned about the texture of the corn tortillas after freezing and thawing, though.

  3. I’ve made this recipe for over 20 years. We had a foster home and one boy loved this recipe.
    When he went home his dad called me and asked “What the hell is King Ranch Chicken?”
    I gladly gave the recipe to him. Happy home!!5 stars

    1. Oh my goodness, this is the kind of review we strive for! (#goals) We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed this recipe. 🙂5 stars

  4. My mouth is watering! I really liked this recipe, just amazing and simple 🙂 Thanks for sharing the nice recipe.

    1. We’re so glad you loved this king ranch Chicken recipe, Sophia! Thanks for the review. 🙂5 stars

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