Whole-Food King Ranch Casserole

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole recipe is a classic comfort food in Texas. A mashup of an enchilada casserole, nachos, and chicken tacos, it’s an easy weeknight main dish or potluck recipe. Pieces of tortilla chips layer with cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and warm spices in a casserole dish. Topped with cheese, this recipe bakes in the oven until it’s golden and bubbly. Serve it warm with your favorite toppings! 

Ingredients To Make King Ranch Casserole

Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to make this chicken casserole recipe today: 

• Butter – you need 2 tablespoons of salted or unsalted  butter
• Veggies – red bell pepper (may sub orange, yellow, or green bell pepper), yellow onion, garlic cloves, canned diced tomatoes with chilis, canned green chiles, and baby spinach 
• Flour – all-purpose flour coats the vegetables, preventing them from sinking to the bottom of the casserole. You can also use a gluten-free flour such as Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour or King Arthur Measure-for-Measure Gluten-Free Flour to keep this casserole gluten-free
• Broth – use low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Plain yogurt – may substitute sour cream 
• Cheddar cheese – we use shredded cheddar cheese, but you may substitute any cheese you like best such as pepper jack or a Mexican blend for added flavor and calcium
• Cooked chicken – use cooked chicken breast or thighs such as shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken
• Seasonings – chili powder, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper
• Yellow tortilla chips – you can use any brand of tortilla chips that you like to form the layers of this casserole. Use grain-free tortilla chips for a grain-free recipe

Find the ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.

How To Make King Ranch Chicken

Before you begin, make sure to preheat your oven, and grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.

1. Sauté the vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the butter. Once it is melted and hot, add the peppers, onions, and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. 
2. Coat the vegetables: Add the flour, and toss to combine and coat the vegetables. 
3. Simmer: Stir in the broth. Then, allow the mixture to come to a simmer. Continue to stir and cook until a gravy-like consistency is achieved. Then, reduce the heat to low. 
4. Combine the ingredients: Add the tomatoes, green chilis, yogurt, part of the cheese, spinach, chicken, and seasonings. Stir until the ingredients are combined, the cheese is melted, and the spinach is wilted. Then, remove the skillet from the heat. 
5. Layer: Spread part of the tortilla chips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish, breaking them into pieces. Next, add a layer of the creamy chicken mixture. Repeat the process, adding another layer of chips and chicken, and top the dish with cheese. 
6. Bake: Transfer the dish to a preheated oven, and bake until bubbly. 
7. Serve: Garnish your King Ranch casserole with your favorite toppings such as crushed chips, sour cream, green onion, diced avocado, lime wedges, sliced jalapeño, and cilantro. Feel free to add a drizzle of Ranch dressing, too! 

For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories (kcals), protein, carbohydrates, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.

Make It Vegetarian

Swap the chicken with black beans or your favorite plant-based meat alternative to make this recipe vegetarian.

How To Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Or, freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the casserole in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat individual portions in the microwave. Or, place the entire baking dish back in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit just until warmed through.

Sides that Pair Well with King Ranch Chicken

We love to prepare this recipe alongside our favorite grill recipe for Father’s Day or for weekend gatherings. It pairs wonderfully with all our favorite summer BBQ recipes. However, if you’re looking for specific serving suggestions, some of our favorite sides for pairing include loaded mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, cornbread muffins, salad, crock pot baked beans, or grilled asparagus.

What Is the Origin of the King Ranch Casserole Recipe?

How did this dish get its interesting name? In which region did it originate?

King Ranch Casserole is considered to be a quintessential American or Texan potluck dish and can be found at most social gatherings in the South. One rumor about the dish’s origins is that it was created at King Ranch in Texas. However, Texas historians don’t actually know how the dish came about.

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The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.