Best 4 A True Texans King Ranch Chicken Recipes

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In the heart of Texan cuisine lies a culinary gem that embodies the state's rich culinary heritage: King Ranch Chicken. This delectable dish, named after the legendary King Ranch, is a harmonious blend of tender chicken, savory vegetables, creamy sauce, and a touch of Mexican flair. Originating from South Texas, King Ranch Chicken has captivated taste buds for generations and continues to be a beloved dish in homes and restaurants alike. This article presents a collection of King Ranch Chicken recipes that capture the essence of this Texan classic. From the traditional recipe that stays true to its roots to variations that add a modern twist, these recipes offer a culinary journey that celebrates the diverse flavors and textures of this iconic dish. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you in creating a mouthwatering King Ranch Chicken that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

BEST DAMN KING RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Best Damn King Ranch Chicken Casserole image

King Ranch Chicken Casserole is the perfect Tex-Mex comfort food....creamy, cheesy, and spicy, definite crowd pleaser...and it's gluten free! Serve with my Authentic & Simple Texas Guacamole and Fresh Garlic Salsa for a complete Tex-Mex experience!

Provided by Emilie

Number Of Ingredients 14

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded (or diced) or 2 ½ to 3 cups of cooked chicken
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 bell peppers, seeded and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped (depending on desired heat level)
1 10oz can Original Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilis, drained well
1 12oz carton Pacific Foods Cream of Mushroom
1 12oz carton Pacific Foods Cream of Chicken
3 tablespoons heavy cream
½ teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
12-15 corn tortillas (if making gluten free, make sure tortilla are gluten free)
2 cups Colby jack cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Step 2 Add butter to large skillet over medium high heat. When butter melts, add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.Step 3 To a large bowl add cooked chicken, Rotel, chopped jalapeno, both soups, cream, pepper, and cumin. Stir well to combine. Add cooked veggies and stir to combine.Step 4 You are ready to assemble! Butter or spray a deep 9×9 casserole dish. Start with a layer of tortillas. Cut 2 tortillas in half and place the cut side along the edges of the pan and place one hole tortilla to cove the hole in the center. Spoon about 1- 1 ½ cups of the chicken mixture on top of the tortillas and spread evenly. Top with ½ cup of shredded cheese...now tortillas...you may have to cut a few to fill in the holes in the corners.Step 5 Repeat layers ending with chicken mixture and cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 35 -40 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Check after 25 minutes, if cheese is getting too brown, lay a piece of foil over the top.Step 6 Let sit at least 15-20 minutes before cutting. Keep leftovers in container tightly sealed and refrigerate. It is even better the next day!Step 7 You can also bake it off the day before serving, refrigerate and reheat before serving. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 300 for 45-50 minutes or until heated through.

KING RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE



King Ranch Chicken Casserole image

From what I hear, it's impossible to go to any sort of potluck in Texas and not see one of these.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Baked and Roasted

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 white onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL®)
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 cooked chicken, torn into shreds or cut into chunks
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
10 corn tortillas, cut into quarters

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Saute onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper in hot oil until warmed through, about 2 minutes.
  • Combine onion-pepper mixture, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, sour cream, cumin, ancho chile powder, oregano, and chipotle chile powder together in a large bowl and stir until sauce is well-combined.
  • Spread a few tablespoons of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread 1/2 the chicken over the sauce. Spread about half the sauce over the chicken and top with 1/3 the cheese. Spread a layer of tortillas over the cheese. Spread remaining 1/2 the chicken over the tortillas, and top with almost all of the remaining sauce, reserving 1/2 cup sauce. Top with 1/3 the cheese, remaining tortillas, the reserved 1/2 cup sauce, and remaining 1/3 cheese.
  • Bake casserole in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 40 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to broil. Broil the casserole until top is golden, 2 to 3 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 479.1 calories, Carbohydrate 24.9 g, Cholesterol 99.5 mg, Fat 28 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 890.3 mg, Sugar 2.8 g

KING RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE



King Ranch Chicken Casserole image

Whip up a little taste of Texas.

Provided by Southern Living Editors

Time 1h10m

Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can diced tomato and green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 pinches garlic powder
2 pinches pepper
12 corn tortillas, torn into 1-inch pieces
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skilled over medium-high heat, sauté bell pepper and onion 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in chicken and next 7 ingredients; remove from heat.
  • Layer one-third of torn tortillas in bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with one-third of chicken mixture and 2/3 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice. Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.

TEXAN RANCH CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole image

Every time I serve this creamy chicken ranch casserole, it gets rave reviews. The recipe was passed down to me and is so good! It's really easy to make, freezes well and has just a touch of heat. If your family likes more, add some jalapenos! -Kendra Doss, Smithville, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
1 tablespoon chili powder
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1-inch strips
2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Steps:

  • In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the onion, celery and peppers in oil until crisp-tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the chicken, soups, tomatoes and chili powder., Line the bottom of a 3-qt. baking dish with half of the tortilla strips; top with half of the chicken mixture and 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 329 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 719mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables: The more vegetables you use, the more flavorful your King Ranch Chicken will be. Some good options include bell peppers, onions, carrots, celery, and corn.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices: Cumin, chili powder, and paprika are all classic Tex-Mex spices that work well in this dish. But you can also try adding other spices like oregano, garlic powder, or onion powder.
  • Use a good quality cheese: The cheese is one of the most important ingredients in King Ranch Chicken, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that melts well. Some good options include cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack.
  • Don't overcook the chicken: Chicken is a delicate meat, so it's important to not overcook it. Otherwise, it will become dry and tough. Cook the chicken until it is just cooked through, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Serve immediately: King Ranch Chicken is best served immediately after it is made. This will ensure that the chicken is still moist and juicy and that the cheese is melted and gooey.

Conclusion:

King Ranch Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make Tex-Mex dish. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or for a special occasion. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and flavorful vegetables, King Ranch Chicken is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.

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