A Texas Potluck Legend Loaded With Cheese, Chicken, and Tex-Mex Flavor
If there’s one dish that defines Texas-style comfort food, it’s King Ranch Chicken Casserole. Rich, cheesy, spicy, and unapologetically indulgent, this beloved Tex-Mex bake shows up at family reunions, church suppers, tailgates, and potlucks all across the Lone Star State. If you’ve never had it before, consider this your official invitation.
This version delivers everything fans love: tender shredded chicken, creamy sauce, corn tortillas, peppers, tomatoes, warm spices, and lots of melted cheese, all baked into a bubbling, golden casserole that disappears fast.
Why Everyone Loves King Ranch Chicken
- Deep Tex-Mex flavor without complicated steps
- Perfect for feeding a crowd
- Great use for rotisserie or leftover chicken
- Comforting, cheesy, and satisfying
- Even better the next day
It’s the kind of dish people ask for the recipe before they’ve finished their first serving.
What Is King Ranch Chicken Casserole?
King Ranch Chicken is a Tex-Mex casserole with mysterious origins. Despite the name, it has no official connection to the historic King Ranch in Texas—but it does feel just as big, bold, and iconic.
At its heart, it’s a layered casserole made with:
- Shredded chicken
- Corn tortillas
- Creamy, spiced sauce
- Bell peppers and onions
- Tomatoes with green chiles
- Lots of cheese
The result? A casserole that’s ooey, gooey, spicy, and deeply comforting.
Ingredients Overview
Vegetables
- Onion
- Red bell pepper
- Green bell pepper
(Optional: poblano or jalapeño for extra heat)
Creamy Sauce Base
- Cream of chicken soup
- Cream of mushroom soup
- Diced tomatoes with green chiles
- Chicken broth
- Sour cream
Spices
- Ground cumin
- Ancho chile powder
- Dried oregano
- Chipotle chile powder
These give the casserole its signature earthy, smoky Tex-Mex flavor.
Chicken
- Cooked, shredded chicken
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly
Cheese
- Shredded Cheddar (Pepper Jack is a popular swap)
Tortillas
- Corn tortillas, cut into quarters
(Some cooks use tortilla chips or Doritos for extra crunch)
How to Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole
1. Sauté the Vegetables
Cook the onion and bell peppers in oil until just softened. This builds flavor without overcooking.
2. Make the Creamy Tex-Mex Sauce
In a large bowl, combine:
- Sautéed veggies
- Both soups
- Tomatoes with green chiles
- Chicken broth
- Sour cream
- All spices
Mix until smooth, creamy, and well seasoned.
3. Assemble the Layers
In a greased 9×13 dish:
- Spread a little sauce on the bottom
- Add half the chicken
- Spoon over half the sauce
- Sprinkle with cheese
- Add a layer of tortillas
Repeat the layers, finishing with sauce and plenty of cheese on top.
4. Bake Until Bubbling
Bake at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly, about 40 minutes.
For that irresistible finish, broil for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and lightly browned.
Pro Tips for the Best King Ranch Casserole
- Let it rest 10 minutes before slicing for cleaner layers
- Use freshly shredded cheese for smoother melting
- Smoked chicken adds incredible depth
- Spice level is easy to adjust—add jalapeños or extra chipotle
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing
Make Ahead
Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. Bake when ready.
Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container.
Freezing
King Ranch Chicken freezes beautifully:
- Freeze unbaked or baked
- Thaw overnight in the fridge
- Reheat covered until hot
Many home cooks intentionally make two—one for now, one for later.
What to Serve With King Ranch Chicken
It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but great pairings include:
- Simple green salad
- Mexican-style rice
- Refried or black beans
- Fresh fruit or citrus salad
A squeeze of lime or a dollop of sour cream on top takes it over the top.
Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving)
- Calories: 479
- Protein: 32g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
Rich, filling, and perfect for when comfort food cravings hit hard.
Final Thoughts
King Ranch Chicken Casserole isn’t fancy—and that’s exactly the point. It’s bold, comforting, crowd-pleasing food that brings people together. Whether you’re feeding family, hosting friends, or contributing to a potluck, this Tex-Mex classic earns its legendary status every single time.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
This classic King Ranch chicken casserole is a Tex-Mex favorite layered with tender chicken, corn tortillas, peppers, creamy spiced sauce, and loads of melty cheese. It’s rich, comforting, and a guaranteed hit at potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10-oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- 1 (3-lb) cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 (8-oz) package shredded Cheddar cheese
- 10 corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Heat oil in a skillet over high heat; sauté onion and bell peppers until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer vegetables to a large bowl and stir in soups, tomatoes, broth, sour cream, and spices.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer half the chicken, half the sauce, one-third of the cheese, and half the tortillas.
- Add remaining chicken, most of the sauce, another third of the cheese, and remaining tortillas.
- Top with reserved sauce and remaining cheese.
- Bake until bubbling, about 40 minutes. Broil 2–3 minutes until golden.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
