How to Make King Ranch Chicken

How to Make King Ranch Chicken thumbnail
a King Ranch Chicken casserole, before cooking

King Ranch Chicken is a popular and traditional casserole in Texas. The dish takes its name from the famous King Ranch in south Texas. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • 3-4lb hen
  • 2 onions
  • 1-2 ribs celery
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 large bell pepper
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 lb cheddar cheese
  • chili powder
  • garlic salt
  • 1 pkg corn tortillas
  • 1 can Rotel, undrained
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather ingredients.

    • 2

      Boil chicken until tender in water seasoned with 1 onion and 1-2 ribs of celery. Allow chicken to cool and remove meat for use in the casserole.

    • 3
      chopped bell pepper

      While the chicken is cooling, prepare the remaining ingredients. Chop the bell pepper and the remaining onion. Grate the cheddar cheese.

    • 4

      Mix the two cans of soup in a bowl so that you can add them evenly to the casserole.

    • 5

      Dip tortillas in chicken stock and layer in a 9x12 casserole dish.

    • 6

      Then layer chicken, onion, bell pepper, chili powder, garlic salt, and soups.

    • 7

      Sprinkle a layer of cheese.

    • 8

      Repeat the layering: tortillas, then chicken, onion, bell pepper, chili powder, garlic salt, soups, and cheese.

    • 9

      Continue layering until you have used all of the ingredients. Top with Rotel tomatoes. (Do not drain the liquid. Pour it all into the casserole.)

    • 10

      Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

  • Freeze the tortillas before making this recipe. This way, when you soak them in the chicken stock they do not get mushy and fall apart.

  • If the liquid from the Rotel tomatoes doesn't fill your casserole dish to almost halfway, add some chicken stock. This liquid will keep the casserole from being dry.

  • Consider preparing this recipe a day or two before you want to serve it. Refrigerate the uncooked casserole until you are ready to cook it. This allows the flavors to seep and blend.

  • If you want to prepare this recipe more than a few days in advance, put the uncooked casserole in the freezer instead of the fridge. The casserole can be frozen for 1-2 weeks.

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  • Photo Credit © Emily Johnson

Comments

  • Valerie Deneen Jul 09, 2008
    I love the photos you posted with this article... will have to try this. Thanks for sharing!

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