Creamy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Dinner
A quick and easy creamy King Ranch chicken casserole with just five main ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or comforting family meals. This casserole features layers of creamy sauce, shredded chicken, corn tortillas, and melted cheese with a subtle Tex-Mex twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or poached chicken breasts)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, queso quesadilla)
- 6–8 corn tortillas, torn or cut to fit
- Optional: 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies or sliced black olives
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- If cooking chicken breasts, poach them in simmering water until cooked through (about 15 minutes), then shred with two forks. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly to save time.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in shredded chicken and optional diced green chilies or sliced black olives if using.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place a single layer of corn tortillas on the bottom.
- Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas.
- Repeat with another layer of tortillas and the remaining chicken mixture.
- Top with a generous 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to set and make slicing easier.
Notes
Use fresh corn tortillas for best texture; avoid over-soaking tortillas to prevent mushiness. Cover casserole with foil while baking to keep moist, removing foil near the end for a golden top. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking. Freezes well for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of casserole
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: King Ranch chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, easy dinner, 5-ingredient casserole, Tex-Mex casserole, comfort food, quick chicken dinner