Q1: What is King Ranch Chicken Casserole, and where did it get its name?

King Ranch Chicken is a famous Tex-Mex casserole made with chicken, a creamy soup-based sauce, RO*TEL® tomatoes, and corn tortillas. Its exact origin is a fun mystery! Despite the name, it has no official connection to the famous King Ranch in Texas. It's more likely that the recipe was created in the mid-20th century and was given the impressive name to associate it with Texas culture.

Q2: Do I really have to use the canned "cream of" soups?

For the most authentic, classic, and nostalgic version of this recipe, yes! The use of condensed cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soups is what gives this casserole its signature, time-honored flavor and texture that many people grew up with. While you can make a delicious from-scratch sauce (as described in the variations), the canned soup version is the true classic.

Q3: Can I make this casserole ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes, this is one of the best freezer-friendly casseroles you can make. You can assemble the entire casserole in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap and foil, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat it, simply thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake as directed.

Q4: My casserole came out a bit watery. What did I do wrong?

A watery casserole can be caused by a few things. Be sure that your sautéed vegetables (onions and peppers) have cooked down a bit. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, make sure there is not a lot of extra liquid or juices mixed in with the shredded meat. Finally, the crucial 10-minute rest after the casserole comes out of the oven is very important, as this allows the hot, bubbly sauce to cool down and set up to a perfect, sliceable consistency.

Q5: Can I control the spice level of this casserole?

Yes, you are in complete control of the heat! The spice in this recipe comes from the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles (RO TEL®) and the chipotle chile powder. RO TEL® comes in mild, original, and hot varieties, so you can choose the one that suits your preference. You can also increase or decrease the amount of chipotle powder to your taste.

The Best Classic & Easy King Ranch Chicken C casserole

The Best Classic & Easy King Ranch Chicken Casserole

A classic Tex-Mex comfort food, this King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a rich and creamy layered dish. The recipe features a savory sauce made from a combination of condensed cream soups, diced tomatoes with green chiles, chicken broth, and a blend of cumin and chile powders. This sauce is layered in a 9×13-inch baking dish with shredded cooked chicken, quartered corn tortillas, and plenty of shredded Cheddar cheese. The casserole is baked until bubbling and then finished under the broiler for a golden, cheesy top.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 43 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking, Broiling
Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Ingredients

Scale

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 medium white onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 medium green bell pepper, diced
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL®)
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 pound) cooked chicken, torn into shreds or cut into chunks
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
10 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into quarters

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sauté the onion and bell peppers for about 2 minutes, until just warmed through. Transfer the vegetables to a large bowl.
To the bowl with the vegetables, add both cans of condensed soup, the diced tomatoes with chiles, chicken broth, sour cream, cumin, ancho chile powder, oregano, and chipotle chile powder. Mix until the sauce is well-combined.
Assemble the Casserole: Spread a few tablespoons of the sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Create the first layer with half of the chicken, half of the sauce, half of the Cheddar cheese, and half of the tortilla quarters.
Create the second layer with the remaining chicken, all but 1/2 cup of the remaining sauce, another one-third of the Cheddar cheese, and the rest of the tortillas.
Spread the final 1/2 cup of sauce over the top and sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese.
Bake and Broil: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until it is bubbling.
Turn on the broiler and broil the casserole for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving shortcut for this recipe.
Layering the ingredients in the specified order helps to ensure all the components are moist and flavorful.
Finishing the casserole under the broiler gives the cheese topping a delicious, golden-brown crust.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
Calories: 500-600
Sugar: 8-12 g
Sodium: 1400-1800 mg
Fat: 28-38 g
Saturated Fat: 12-18 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 25-35 g
Fiber: 4-6 g
Protein: 30-40 g
Cholesterol: 100-130 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/king-ranch-chicken-c-casserole/