King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Named after the legendary King Ranch in South Texas — the largest ranch in the United States — this layered casserole has been a Texas church potluck and weeknight staple since the 1950s. Creamy, mildly spiced, and deeply comforting, it is Tex-Mex home cooking at its most beloved.

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 900g (2 lb) rotisserie chicken, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 12 corn tortillas (6-inch), torn into quarters
• 1 can (283g/10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chiles (Ro-Tel)
• 1 can (298g/10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can (298g/10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 240ml (1 cup) chicken broth
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (30ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp (3g) cumin
• 1 tsp (3g) chili powder
• 340g (12 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 6-8 minutes until softened. Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder; cook 1 minute more.
2. Combine the sautéed vegetables with diced tomatoes and chiles, both cans of soup, and chicken broth in a large bowl. Stir until smooth. Fold in shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper.
3. Lightly grease a 23x33cm (9x13-inch) baking dish. Layer one-third of the torn tortilla pieces across the bottom.
4. Spread half the chicken mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded cheddar. Repeat with another layer of tortillas, remaining chicken mixture, and another third of cheddar.
5. Top with a final layer of tortilla pieces and all remaining cheddar.
6. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until bubbling throughout and the cheese is golden brown on top. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Cook's Notes: Ro-Tel tomatoes are integral to the authentic flavor — do not substitute plain diced tomatoes. The casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated unbaked; add 10-15 minutes to the baking time. Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of chicken broth to keep the filling creamy.