Name: King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp cooking oil; 1 yellow onion; 1 green bell pepper; 2 Tbsp butter; 1/2 cup sour cream; 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded; 2 green onions; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel); 5 cups tortilla chip strips

There’s something irresistibly cozy about the layers of flavors and textures in a King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day—creamy, cheesy, with just the right kick of spice, making it a total crowd-pleaser every time.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered cheesy casserole. The top layer is melted bright orange cheese with some areas browned slightly. A line of finely chopped red tomatoes and green herbs runs down the center of the dish as a garnish. The edges of the casserole show some of the melted cheese oozing over the side. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some green leaves and a cloth with green and red stripes 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

I’ve made this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe probably a dozen times, and it never fails to impress. It’s a comforting, flavorful baked dish that comes together quickly and uses simple ingredients. Plus, it has those crunchy tortilla layers that soak up all the creamy goodness—such a satisfying combo!

Bold, Layered Flavors: The blend of chili powder, tomatoes with green chiles, and creamy sour cream gives it a unique Southwest flair.
Perfect Texture Balance: Crunchy tortilla strips soften slightly under the cheesy sauce but still hold their shape, adding delightful contrast.
Easy Yet Impressive: It looks like a fancy dish but is straightforward enough to make any weeknight special.
Great Make-Ahead Potential: You can prep it in advance, making life easier on busy days or for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe brings together some classic Southern and Tex-Mex ingredients that create those comforting, vibrant flavors we crave. Every ingredient has its role, from the tender chicken to the spicy tomatoes, balanced by creamy cheese and sour cream.

Flat lay of boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with chili powder, a small white bowl of golden cooking oil, a few pats of fresh butter, one whole yellow onion, one whole green bell pepper, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of rich chicken broth, a small white bowl filled with diced tomatoes and green chiles, a small white bowl of creamy sour cream, a small white bowl of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a neat pile of thick rectangular tortilla chip strips, two fresh green onions whole and uncut, all arranged with perfect symmetry on simple white ceramic bowls, placed 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

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast: Pounded for even cooking and coated with chili powder for that subtle heat and flavor.
Chili Powder: Adds smoky warmth essential for that signature Southwest taste.
Cooking Oil: A quick sauté base that helps brown the chicken perfectly.
Butter: Used to sauté onions and bell peppers, enriching the flavor base.
Yellow Onion: Brings sweetness and depth once softened in butter.
Green Bell Pepper: Adds brightness and a mild crunch to each bite.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates the roux that thickens the sauce beautifully.
Chicken Broth: Brings moisture and savory complexity to the gravy.
Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles (Rotel): Key for that zesty, tangy kick and color contrast.
Sour Cream: Adds creaminess and cuts through the spice gently.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty, it ties everything together perfectly.
Tortilla Chip Strips: Thick chips hold up in the casserole, giving a crunchy textural surprise.
Green Onions: Fresh garnish that adds a mild oniony bite and color.

📝

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

One of the best things about this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. I often toss in a few tweaks based on what I have, or to suit the crowd I’m feeding. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: Sometimes I swap out the green bell pepper for a can of diced mild green chiles to amp up the spice gently without losing crunch.
Vegetarian Version: Use sautéed mushrooms and zucchini instead of chicken for a delicious meatless alternative.
Extra Cheesy: Add a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar to get even gooier, melty goodness.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and tortilla chips labeled gluten-free to keep it safe and just as tasty.

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

The image shows a square slice of a layered casserole on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The dish has three visible layers: the bottom layer is creamy with chunks of light-colored chicken and small bits of green and red vegetables; the middle layer is thick and cheesy with a smooth, melted golden-yellow cheese covering the top of the casserole; the top layer is garnished with small diced bright red tomatoes and sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs, creating a fresh contrast to the warm colors below. In the background, part of the larger casserole dish with more of the same cheesy casserole is visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Pound and Season the Chicken

First, I place the chicken breasts between plastic wrap and lightly pound them to about ¾ to 1 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tender bites. Then I sprinkle chili powder over both sides—don’t be shy; this seasoning is the flavor backbone.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add the chicken. Cook about 5 minutes per side until nicely browned and cooked through. Set it aside on a clean cutting board to cool slightly before dicing—it’s easier that way and keeps those juicy pieces intact.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies and Make the Roux

In the same skillet, add butter, diced onions, and green bell peppers. Sauté over medium until the onions are translucent and the peppers have softened—about 5 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for another minute to form a golden roux; this thickens your sauce perfectly.

Step 4: Build the Sauce

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the pan. Bring it to a simmer until the sauce thickens, then remove from heat. Drain the diced tomatoes with green chiles well before adding, along with the diced chicken, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheddar. Stir until creamy and combined.

Step 5: Layer and Bake

Now the fun part—layering! Start with a generous handful of tortilla chip strips in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, spoon half the chicken mixture on top, then layer more chips (about half as many as before), and pour on the remaining chicken mixture. Finish with the remaining 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese. Bake at 375ºF for 15 minutes or until bubbly and melty.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

After taking the casserole out of the oven, sprinkle thinly sliced green onions over the hot cheese for freshness and color. Then dig in—you deserve it!

Top Tip

From my many trials with this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, a few key tips really make a difference in how perfect it turns out. Avoid common pitfalls and get every bite just right with these simple tricks.

Even Thickness: Pounding the chicken evenly means it cooks uniformly, preventing dry or undercooked spots.
Drain Your Tomatoes Well: This prevents the casserole from becoming too watery, keeping those crispy chip layers intact.
Use Thick Tortilla Chips: Thin chips turn to mush—thicker, rectangular chips hold their texture and soak up sauce beautifully.
Don’t Overbake: Melted cheese bubbling at the edges is your cue to pull it out; overbaking dries it out.

How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping the finished casserole with freshly sliced green onions for a pop of freshness and color. Sometimes, I add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro if I’m feeling festive—it brightens every bite and adds a fresh contrast to the creamy casserole.

Side Dishes

King Ranch Chicken Casserole goes beautifully with a simple green salad dressed lightly with lime vinaigrette or a refreshing cucumber salad. I also like serving it alongside some refried beans or Spanish rice when I’m going full Tex-Mex style.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins topped with avocado slices and a few jalapeño rings for a festive touch. Another favorite is layering it in a clear glass baking dish and garnishing with colorful diced tomatoes and fresh cilantro to make it look extra inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When it’s time to eat, I let it come to room temperature first before reheating; this helps keep the cheese from getting rubbery and the texture just right.

Freezing

This casserole actually freezes well! I assemble it in a freezer-safe dish, cover tightly, and freeze before baking. When ready, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake as usual—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Reheating

I recommend reheating leftovers in the oven at 350ºF covered with foil to prevent drying out, usually taking 15–20 minutes. For a quicker fix, the microwave works too, but watch the time closely to keep it from getting rubbery.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of fresh chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Using shredded rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that still tastes delicious. Just skip the initial cooking step and add the shredded chicken directly when mixing the sauce.

What kind of tortilla chips should I use?

I recommend thick, sturdy tortilla chip strips—like Mission brand’s rectangular ones—because they hold up well during baking without turning mushy. Thin chips tend to lose their texture.

Can I make this casserole gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free tortilla chips. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

How spicy is this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe?

The recipe has a mild to medium heat thanks to chili powder and the diced tomatoes with green chiles. You can adjust spiciness by using milder or hotter chiles or adding extra chili powder to your taste.

Final Thoughts

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is a lifelong favorite in my home because it hits all the right notes of comfort and flavor without fuss. I hope you find it becomes one of your go-to dinners when you want something hearty, cheesy, and utterly satisfying. Give it a try—you’ll be glad you did!