King Ranch Chicken Casserole

4.75 from 4 votes

This delicious King Ranch chicken casserole is packed with layers of chicken, cheese, and tortillas to create the ultimate easy meal.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 737kcal

3 teaspoons olive oil, extra virgin
1 cup chopped sweet yellow onion
1 chopped bell pepper, any color pepper (I used a red bell pepper)
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, undiluted
10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
10 ounces mild Rotel, undrained
3 cups boneless skinless chicken breast, shredded and fully cooked
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, optional
12 soft taco-size corn tortillas, quartered
4 cups Colby and Monterey jack cheese, freshly shredded (divided into 1½ and 2½)

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
To a 4 to 5-quart Dutch oven, add the olive oil, chopped onion, and chopped bell pepper over medium-high heat. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes or until the onions and bell peppers are softened. Remove from the heat.
Whisk in the undiluted cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and the undrained Rotel. Whisk until well combined.
Stir in the shredded chicken and chopped cilantro.
Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Line the bottom of the prepared baking dish with half of the quartered corn tortillas.
Spoon half of the chicken mixture over the bottom layer of corn tortillas.
Sprinkle 1½ cups of the shredded cheese over the chicken layer.
Layer the remaining corn tortillas over the cheese layer.
Spread the remaining chicken mixture over the corn tortillas.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the chicken mixture.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve while hot.

This dish can be assembled up to a day ahead of baking. Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge overnight. About 30 minutes before baking, take it out and let it come to room temperature.
A pizza cutter works well for quickly cutting the corn tortillas into quarters.
Oven temperatures can vary and may need to be recalibrated from time to time for accuracy. Keep a close eye on your casserole as it nears the suggested cooking time.