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 green onions (for garnish); 2 Tbsp butter; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained; 1/2 cup sour cream; 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (divided: 1/2 cup and 1.5 cups); 5 cups tortilla chip strips (thick rectangular style preferred)

There’s something so comforting about layers of creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy goodness — that’s exactly why the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen and heart. Every time I make it, the warm aroma fills the house, and it feels like the ultimate cozy meal to gather around with friends or family.

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

This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and one of those dishes that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to pull together. I love that it brings Tex-Mex flavors with a creamy twist, and it manages to be both indulgent and comfort-food friendly.

One-Pan Convenience: You sauté everything mostly in one skillet, making cleanup easy and the process straightforward.
Flavor Explosion: The mix of chili powder, green chiles, and cheddar cheese brings bold, balanced flavor in every bite.
Texture Play: Crunch from the tortilla chips layered with creamy sauce keeps each forkful interesting and satisfying.
Make-Ahead Friendly: It's perfect for prepping ahead or using up leftover chicken, saving time on busy nights.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When you look at this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, every ingredient plays a role in creating that perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Picking quality, fresh produce and real cheddar makes a noticeable difference, and knowing a couple of ingredient tips will help you get it just right.

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

Chicken breast: Pounding to an even thickness helps it cook evenly and stay juicy; fresh is best, but leftover rotisserie works well too.
Chili powder: This adds warmth and a hint of spice; using a fresh bottle will give you the best flavor.
Cooking oil: Neutral oils like vegetable or canola work great for browning chicken without overpowering flavors.
Butter: Adds richness to the sautéed veggies and helps create a silky sauce base.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when softened; I dice it finely so it blends into the sauce nicely.
Green bell pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly sweet crunch and balances the spice with freshness.
All-purpose flour: The secret to thickening the sauce and giving it that comforting gravy texture.
Chicken broth: A flavorful liquid base for the sauce, enhancing the savory taste.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel): Brings juicy acidity and Tex-Mex zest to the dish – draining them prevents extra liquid.
Sour cream: Adds a creamy tang that smooths and enriches the sauce beautifully.
Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar is my favorite for a melt that’s flavorful without being overpowering.
Tortilla chip strips: Thick, sturdy chips hold up well and add the crunch layer that’s essential here.
Green onions: Fresh sliced on top adds color and a mild oniony bite to finish.

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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

This recipe invites personalization, which is part of the fun. Personally, I often swap the bell pepper for some diced poblano for a smokier kick or throw in a handful of corn for a sweet surprise. It’s easy to adapt, so let your taste buds lead the way!

Variation: I've made this with shredded rotisserie chicken when I'm short on time—it’s just as comforting and tasty, and you skip the stovetop chicken cooking step.
Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut-based sour cream and a dairy-free cheese alternative; keep the texture creamy and flavors vibrant.
Spice it Up: Add extra green chiles or a dash of cayenne if you prefer more heat—just don’t overload it if you’re serving a family group.
Vegetarian Twist: Substitute cooked, seasoned mushrooms or jackfruit in place of chicken for a surprisingly delicious meatless alternative.

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: Flatten and Season Your Chicken

I like to place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap before pounding them evenly to about ¾ to 1 inch thick. This ensures they cook uniformly and stay juicy. Then, dust both sides with chili powder for that essential kick of flavor.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat your oil over medium heat until shimmering, then carefully add the chicken. Cook it about 5 minutes per side until it’s nicely browned and cooked through. I always keep an eye on the heat to avoid burning and remove the chicken to a plate to cool before dicing.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics and Build the Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter and add diced onion and green bell pepper. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and soft—this step develops the sweet, mellow base. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for about a minute more, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns light golden; this cooks out the raw flour taste and thickens your sauce.

Step 4: Add Liquids and Combine Chicken

Pour in the chicken broth while stirring to deglaze the pan, scraping up those tasty browned bits from the chicken. Let it simmer gently until it thickens into the perfect gravy consistency. Drain your diced tomatoes with green chiles, chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and stir them both into the sauce.

Step 5: Mix in Cream and Cheese

Stir in the sour cream and about half of the shredded cheddar cheese. This step adds creaminess and cheesy richness that really brings the casserole together.

Step 6: Layer and Bake

Start with a layer of thick tortilla chip strips at the bottom of your casserole dish. Spoon half the chicken mixture over the chips, add another chip layer (about half the first layer), then top with the remaining chicken mixture. Finish by sprinkling the final 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese on top. Bake in a preheated 375ºF oven for 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve Hot

The final touch? Sliced green onions scattered on top after baking for a fresh crunch and a pop of color. Serve it hot and watch it disappear fast!

Top Tip

From all the times I’ve made this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, a few tips really make a difference between good and great. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way to help you nail it the first time.

Even Chicken Thickness: Pounding your chicken ensures it cooks evenly, avoiding dry edges with raw centers.
Drain Tomatoes Well: Removing excess juice keeps the casserole from becoming soggy and helps maintain that perfect layered texture.
Use Thick Tortilla Chips: Thicker rectangular chips hold up better to the sauce without falling apart – I always use the thick strips for this recipe.
Don’t Skip the Sauté: Cooking the onions and peppers until tender deepens the flavor and makes the sauce irresistibly rich.

How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

King Ranch casserole - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like topping this casserole off with thinly sliced fresh green onions — they add a mild oniony crunch and fresh contrast to the cheesy richness. A little dollop of sour cream on the plate can be lovely too if you want extra creaminess.

Side Dishes

When serving, I usually like something light and refreshing on the side. A crisp green salad with lime vinaigrette or simple roasted vegetables like asparagus or green beans balances the richness of the casserole beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve layered this bite-sized in mini casserole dishes or even served it as a dip in a bread bowl. You can also serve individual portions in small ramekins topped with fresh cilantro and jalapeño slices for a festive touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This casserole keeps really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find that resting leftovers overnight actually helps the flavors meld even more.

Freezing

It freezes nicely too—just bake until bubbly, cool completely, then freeze in individual portions or the whole dish. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture.

Reheating

I usually reheat leftovers in the oven at 350ºF, covered with foil to prevent drying out, until warmed through. Microwave works fine for quick reheats, but the oven keeps that melty, crispy edge far better.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge, and then bake it fresh when ready. This saves lots of time and lets the flavors meld nicely.

What type of tortilla chips should I use?

I recommend using thick, sturdy tortilla chip strips – they hold up well to the sauce and keep a satisfying crunch. Thin chips can get soggy too quickly in this recipe.

Can I substitute canned chicken or leftover rotisserie chicken?

Yes, shredded leftover rotisserie chicken or canned chicken works perfectly. If using rotisserie, save time by skipping the initial cooking step and just adding it with the tomatoes during sauce preparation.

Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild heat from the chili powder and green chiles but nothing overwhelming. You can always adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili powder or choosing milder tomatoes with green chiles.

Final Thoughts

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe always brings comfort and smiles to my dinner table, and I hope it does the same for you. It’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug—perfect for chilly evenings or anytime you want a satisfying, flavorful dish without fuss. Give it a try and see how easily it becomes a new family favorite!