Name: King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 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 (divided: 1/2 cup and 1.5 cups); 2 green onions; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel), drained; 5 cups tortilla chip strips (thick rectangular chips preferred)

There’s something about the comforting layers and bold flavors that make this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe a true crowd-pleaser at any dinner table. It’s not just a meal; it’s a warm, satisfying hug in a casserole dish that always brings everyone back for seconds.

A white casserole dish filled with a three-layer baked dish, the top layer is golden melted cheese with a slightly uneven texture, giving a crispy and creamy look. On top, a thick line of finely chopped bright red tomatoes and green herbs runs down the center. The edges show some bubbling cheese with hints of the layers underneath. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred green plant 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 remember the first time I made this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe — the aromas alone had me hooked before even tasting it. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy yet is surprisingly easy to whip up, making it perfect for weeknights or entertaining friends.

Layered Comfort: The mix of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and crunchy tortilla chips creates the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Quick to Prepare: Despite its rich taste, it comes together in under an hour, saving you precious time in the kitchen.
Customizable: You can easily adapt it with your favorite peppers, cheeses, or even swap out the chicken for a vegetarian twist.
Serves a Crowd: It’s great for feeding families or bringing to potlucks because it stretches well and stays delicious as leftovers.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic behind this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe lies in the harmony of simple, familiar ingredients that build rich layers of flavor and satisfying textures. Each element has a role — from the spicy chili powder to the creamy sour cream — making the dish feel both comforting and exciting.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with chili powder, a small white bowl of cooking oil, a few pats of fresh butter, a whole yellow onion, a whole green bell pepper, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of diced tomatoes with green chiles, a small white bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl of shredded cheddar cheese, a handful of thick rectangular tortilla chip strips, two whole green onions placed side by side, all arranged symmetrically 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: Pounded evenly for quick, consistent cooking and tender bites.
Chili powder: Adds a gentle kick without overpowering the other flavors.
Cooking oil: Helps sear the chicken to a golden crust — don't skip this!
Butter: Provides richness for sautéing veggies and making a silky roux.
Yellow onion: Brings sweetness and depth when softened.
Green bell pepper: Adds a fresh, slightly crisp bite that balances the creamy sauce.
All-purpose flour: Thickens the sauce, giving it that perfect gravy consistency.
Chicken broth: Creates a savory base for the creamy sauce.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles: Offers a mild heat and brightness — be sure to drain well to keep the casserole from getting soggy.
Sour cream: Adds tang and creaminess, making the sauce luscious.
Cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully, topping the dish with gooey, savory goodness.
Tortilla chips: I use thick, sturdy chips to hold up during baking, providing a wonderful crunch in every bite.
Green onions: Freshness and color on top to brighten the finished casserole.

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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

What’s great about this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to fit your tastes or pantry. Over time, I’ve played with different cheeses and peppers, and I encourage you to make it your own—it’s all about what makes you smile at the dinner table.

Variation: I love swapping out the green bell pepper for a poblano pepper when I want a smoky flavor kick—it adds a wonderful depth without too much heat.
Diet-Friendly: For a lighter version, try using Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, or bake it in smaller ramekins for individual portions.
Spice it Up: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or use a spicier diced tomato variety if you like a little more heat.
Meat-Free Option: Substitute cooked beans or a medley of mushrooms for the chicken to create a satisfying vegetarian casserole.

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

The image shows a bright layered dish on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer has chunks of light cream-colored pieces mixed with bits of green and red vegetables, covered by a thick, smooth, orange-yellow cheese layer. On top, there is a generous amount of finely chopped red tomatoes and green herbs, adding a fresh and colorful contrast to the cheesy layer. In the blurred background, a white baking dish with the same dish is visible, making the plated piece the main focus of the photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Pound and Season the Chicken

Start by placing your chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a zip-top bag. I use a mallet or rolling pin to gently pound them to an even thickness — about ¾ to 1 inch thick — which means they’ll cook evenly and stay juicy. After that, sprinkle both sides generously with chili powder. Trust me, this little kick is what makes the flavor pop later.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken in the Skillet

Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the chicken. The idea here is a nice golden crust, so cook about 5 minutes on each side until browned and cooked through. Don’t rush this step — those browned bits add incredible flavor later. Once done, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it cool.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies and Make the Roux

In the same skillet (don’t clean it — those flavors are gold!), melt the butter and toss in your diced onion and green pepper. Stir occasionally until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Then sprinkle in the flour. Keep stirring for about a minute until the flour coats the veggies and turns light golden — this forms the roux that will thicken your sauce perfectly.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, stirring constantly to dissolve the roux and scrape off any leftover brown bits from the pan — that deep flavor is a key to success here. Allow it to simmer and thicken into a gravy-like sauce. Then remove from heat.

Step 5: Combine Chicken, Tomatoes, and Sour Cream

Drain your diced tomatoes with green chiles thoroughly (to avoid a watery casserole). Dice the cooled chicken, then stir it and the tomatoes right into your thickened sauce. Next, fold in the sour cream and half of your shredded cheddar cheese until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 6: Assemble the Layers

Grab a 9×13-inch casserole dish and layer a handful of tortilla chip strips across the bottom — these give the casserole that addictive crunch. Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the chips, then add another layer of chips (about half as much). Top with the remaining chicken mixture, and finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese on top.

Step 7: Bake and Garnish

Bake your masterpiece in a 375ºF preheated oven for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly at the edges. Once out of the oven, sprinkle sliced green onions on top for freshness and color before serving hot. It’s that simple, but oh-so-delicious.

Top Tip

Making this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe was a learning curve for me — especially balancing the moisture from the tomatoes with the crunch from the chips. Here are the tips that saved my sanity and delivered perfect results every time.

Drain Tomatoes Well: I like to drain the canned tomatoes thoroughly and even pat lightly with paper towels so the casserole doesn’t get soggy during baking.
Even Chicken Thickness: Pounding chicken evenly ensures it cooks all the way through without drying out — a tip I’ve found invaluable for casseroles.
Use Thick Tortilla Chips: Thin chips can melt into the sauce; I swear by thick rectangular ones for perfect layering and crunch.
Don’t Skip Browning: Those golden bits on the chicken and skillet bottom add flavor depth that elevates the whole dish.

How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh sliced green onions on top right after baking — it adds a mild onion crunch and bright pop of color that really lifts the dish. If you’re feeling adventurous, chopped cilantro also brightens up the casserole beautifully.

Side Dishes

This casserole is hearty on its own, but I love pairing it with a crisp green salad or a simple Mexican street corn salad to balance all the creamy comfort. A side of guacamole or fresh pico de gallo also complements the flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special family dinners or potlucks, I’ve served individual portions in small ramekins with a sprinkle of extra cheese and a few jalapeño slices on top — it’s an instant crowd-pleaser that feels a bit festive. Plus, using colorful serving dishes really makes the layers pop.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I cover the casserole tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, making leftovers extra delicious. Just be sure to keep the green onions separate if you want to garnish again fresh.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this casserole a couple of times by wrapping it tightly in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, I thaw it overnight in the fridge, then bake it covered at 350ºF until warmed through. Note that the topping may lose some crispness, but the flavor stays fantastic!

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer using the oven at 350ºF to keep the cheese melty and edges bubbly — microwaving can make the chips soggy. A quick 15-20 minutes usually does the trick, covered with foil if it’s looking too browned.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut that saves prep time. Just shred it and add it when you mix in the tomatoes and sour cream. It may slightly change the texture but the flavor will stay amazing.

What type of tortilla chips work best in this casserole?

I recommend using thick and sturdy tortilla chips, like Mission's thick rectangular ones or equivalent, because they hold up better during baking and provide the classic crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy layers. Thin chips can become soggy.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the casserole a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it. When you’re ready, bake it just as instructed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes if it’s cold from the fridge.

Is this recipe spicy?

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe has a mild, approachable heat thanks to the chili powder and diced tomatoes with green chiles. If you prefer less spice, use mild diced tomatoes or reduce the chili powder. For more heat, add cayenne or hot sauce to taste.

Final Thoughts

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe will quickly become one of your go-tos when you want something that’s cozy, flavorful, and a little bit nostalgic. It’s one of those rare dishes that comforts like a warm blanket but still feels special enough for guests. Honestly, every time I make it, the smiles around the table remind me why recipes like this deserve a spot in your recipe box—give it a try and enjoy every delicious, cheesy bite!