Marry This Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Recipe is a cheesy and creamy recipe, which is made with rotisserie chicken and corn tortillas. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Jump to RecipePioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- Butter for greasing the baking dish
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 can (10 ounces, such as Rotel) Diced Tomatoes with Chiles
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 16 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken, cooled and torn into chunks
- 1 large white or yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced
- 1 1/2 cups grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack Cheese
How To Make Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken
- Prep the oven and sauce: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with chiles, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and chicken broth until smooth.
- Assemble the first layer: Arrange half of the torn tortilla pieces in the bottom of the prepared dish. Top with half of the chicken, followed by half of the diced onion, bell peppers, and jalapeño. Sprinkle with half of the Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Add the second layer: Pour half of the soup mixture evenly over the first layer. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortillas, chicken, vegetables, and cheeses. Pour the rest of the soup mixture over the top.
- Bake the casserole: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before cutting and serving. This helps it set.
Recipe Tips
- How can I save time making this casserole? Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is the ultimate shortcut. It’s already cooked and flavorful, saving you a significant amount of prep time.
- How do I get the best flavor? Don’t skimp on the layers. Layering the ingredients properly, as described in the instructions, ensures that every bite has a perfect mix of chicken, veggies, tortillas, and creamy sauce.
- Can I adjust the spice level? Absolutely. The heat in this dish comes from the diced tomatoes with chiles and the jalapeño. For a milder casserole, use plain diced tomatoes and omit the jalapeño. For a spicier version, use a “hot” can of Rotel and leave the seeds in your jalapeño.
- Why is it important to let the casserole rest? Letting the King Ranch Chicken sit for about 10 minutes after it comes out of the oven is crucial. This allows the creamy sauce to set up, making it much easier to cut into clean squares that hold their shape.
What To Serve With King Ranch Chicken
This hearty casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with simple, fresh sides:
- A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette
- A dollop of sour cream, guacamole, or fresh pico de gallo
- Spanish rice or a side of black beans
- Cilantro-lime rice
How To Store King Ranch Chicken
Refrigerate: Store leftover casserole tightly covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze: This casserole freezes very well. You can freeze it before or after baking. Wrap the dish tightly in both plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.
King Ranch Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
Nutrition information is estimated per serving and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven cold.
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Corn tortillas are traditional and provide the best texture, as they hold up well in the sauce. Flour tortillas can be used, but they may become softer and result in a mushier texture.
Why is it called King Ranch Chicken?
While it’s not officially associated with the famous King Ranch in Texas, the casserole is a Texas staple that likely got its name because its hearty, crowd-pleasing nature is reminiscent of the large-scale cooking done on big ranches.
Try More Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Italian Chicken Meatballs Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Satay Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Peanut Chicken Pasta Recipe
Pioneer Woman King Ranch Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings20
minutes1
hour350
kcalA classic, creamy, and cheesy Tex-Mex casserole with layers of corn tortillas, tender chicken, peppers, and a savory soup mixture.
Ingredients
1 rotisserie chicken, meat torn into chunks
16 corn tortillas, torn
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with chiles (e.g., Rotel)
2 cups chicken broth
1 large onion, 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 jalapeño (all diced)
1.5 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1.5 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
2 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the soups, diced tomatoes, broth, and seasonings.
- Layer half of the tortillas, chicken, vegetables, and cheeses in the dish.
- Pour half of the soup mixture over the top.
- Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients, ending with the soup mixture on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until bubbly.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a major time-saver.
- Letting the casserole rest after baking is essential for it to set properly for easier serving.
- For a milder version, use plain diced tomatoes and omit the jalapeño.
- This casserole can be assembled up to a day in advance and refrigerated before baking.
