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; 2 Tbsp butter; 1 yellow onion, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced; 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel), drained; 1/2 cup sour cream; 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded (divided into 1/2 cup and 1.5 cups portions); 5 cups tortilla chip strips (thick rectangular chips); 2 green onions, sliced

There's something deeply comforting about the layers of flavors and textures in my King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe. It’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug—cheesy, spicy, crunchy, and creamy all at once, making it special enough to serve at family dinners or cozy weekends at home.

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

Whenever I make this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, it instantly feels like a celebration of bold Tex-Mex flavors combined with hearty comfort food vibes. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy, and that’s why I keep coming back to it when I want something satisfying without fuss.

Layered Flavor Explosion: Every forkful has a perfect balance of spicy tomato, creamy sour cream, and melty cheddar with a crunchy tortilla chip base.
Quick & Easy to Make: With basic ingredients and simple steps, you can have a comforting meal on the table in under an hour.
Highly Customizable: Whether you like it extra spicy or milder, you can adjust ingredients to suit your tastes and pantry staples.
Great for Leftovers: This casserole reheats beautifully and makes a perfect meal prep winner for busy weeknights.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe lies not just in the taste but the way these ingredients come together — tender chicken, rich creamy sauce, and those crunchy tortilla strips provide a texture party. Knowing why each element is important helps you get the best results every time.

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

Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Pounding it to an even thickness ensures it cooks quickly and evenly without drying out.
Chili powder: Adds that signature smoky warmth, which you can boost or soften depending on your spice love.
Cooking oil: For searing the chicken perfectly and bringing out those lovely browned bits in the pan.
Butter: Enriches the sautéed onions and peppers, giving a rich base for the sauce.
Yellow onion: Provides sweetness and depth when softened; I love to sauté slowly to really bring out flavor.
Green bell pepper: Adds freshness and a mild, crunchy bite that balances the creaminess.
All-purpose flour: The secret thickener making the sauce luscious without being too heavy.
Chicken broth: Brings savory flavor and moisture to the gravy layer.
Diced tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel): Gives the casserole a gentle kick and vibrant tomato flavor.
Sour cream: Creamy tanginess that mellows the heat and enriches the filling.
Cheddar cheese, shredded: Melted goodness for that gooey top layer and mixed in filling—sharpness is key!
Tortilla chip strips: I use thick rectangular chips for their perfect texture that holds up, giving crunch throughout.
Green onions: Freshness and a pop of color sprinkled on top just before serving.

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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

I've often played around with this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, tweaking it to fit what I have on hand and my mood. You should definitely make it your own—whether that means changing up the cheese or adding extra veggies.

Variation: Sometimes I swap out chicken breast for shredded rotisserie chicken—it saves time and is just as tasty.
Make it spicy: Add jalapeños or a dash of cayenne if you want that extra kick.
Dairy-free option: Try using dairy-free sour cream and cheese alternatives for a similar creamy texture.
Extra veggies: Toss in corn or black beans for more texture and nutrition.

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: Prep and Season the Chicken

First, I pound the chicken breasts so they’re an even thickness—about ¾ to 1 inch. This helps them cook evenly without drying out. Then I season both sides generously with chili powder, which gives it that signature Tex-Mex punch right from the start.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Lock in Juices

Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. I add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side until it's nicely browned and cooked through. The browning adds incredible flavor, so don’t rush this step—patience pays off!

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies

Once the chicken is out, I toss in butter, diced onion, and green bell pepper right into the skillet. I love cooking them slowly until the onions are translucent and soft—it builds flavor that really shines through the whole dish.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle the flour over the softened veggies and cook for about a minute more—this cooks out the raw flour taste and helps thicken the sauce. Then slowly stir in the chicken broth, scraping up all those tasty browned bits at the bottom. Once it simmers and thickens into a gravy, remove it from the heat.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Drain the diced tomatoes with green chiles, dice the cooked chicken, and stir them into the sauce. Next, mix in the sour cream and half of your shredded cheddar—this adds richness and that classic cheesy tang.

Step 6: Layer Your Casserole

In a casserole dish, I start with a generous layer of tortilla chip strips to create a solid crunchy base. Then spoon half the chicken mixture evenly on top, add more chips (but less than before), followed by the rest of the chicken mixture. Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese over the top for that ooey-gooey crust.

Step 7: Bake and Garnish

Bake at 375ºF for about 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling everywhere. Right before serving, sprinkle sliced green onions on top—they add a fresh pop of flavor and color that I adore.

Top Tip

I’ve made this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe dozens of times, and a few small tricks always take it to the next level. These tips will help you get a perfect balance of textures and flavors every single time.

Even Chicken Thickness: Pounding the chicken ensures quick, even cooking and prevents dryness. Don’t skip this!
Don’t Overload the Sauce: The sauce should be thick enough to coat the chicken but not soupy—that helps the chips stay crunchy.
Use Thick Tortilla Chips: Thin chips get soggy fast; the thick rectangular ones maintain a satisfying crunch.
Rest Before Baking: Let your chicken cool slightly before dicing so it doesn't shred into a mushy mess.

How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

I always top mine with fresh green onions—they add a sharp, fresh bite that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped cilantro or a dollop of extra sour cream for added creaminess and color.

Side Dishes

This casserole is hearty, so I like light, fresh sides like a simple green salad with lime vinaigrette or Mexican street corn for extra zest. A bowl of refried beans or guacamole also pairs nicely to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins—guests loved having their personal cheesy, crunchy cups. You could also layer it in a pretty trifle dish for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I tightly cover leftover casserole with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate it. It keeps well for 3-4 days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers even better.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully—just cool it completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. When you want comfort food in a hurry, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat the next day.

Reheating

I reheat mine in the oven at 350ºF covered with foil to keep moisture in. About 20 minutes is usually enough. For a crispy top, remove the foil in the last 5 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions but watch out for sogginess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use cooked or leftover chicken in this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken is a great shortcut that makes this recipe even quicker without sacrificing flavor.

What kind of tortilla chips work best?

Thick, sturdy tortilla chips like thick rectangular ones work best as they hold up well to the sauce and stay crunchy longer in the casserole.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend to make the sauce, and double-check the broth and canned tomatoes for gluten ingredients. Many tortilla chips are naturally gluten-free but verify the label.

How spicy is the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe?

It has a mild to medium spice level from the chili powder and diced tomatoes with green chiles. You can adjust the chili powder or add jalapeños if you prefer it hotter, or reduce it for a milder dish.

Final Thoughts

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it brings together so many comforting, bold flavors without being complicated. I love how it feels like a special occasion on a busy weeknight. Honestly, once you try it, I bet you’ll find it becoming your go-to comfort food staple, just like I did. Give it a whirl—you won’t regret inviting this classic into your home.