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Cheesy baked chicken casserole with fresh tomato and onion topping, garnished with cilantro, served on a white plate.

King Ranch Casserole

Bree Hester
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken breasts 1.5 pounds in total - poached with carrots, celery, salt and peppercorns - see steps
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 diced onion
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 can Rotel
  • 1 small can green chiles
  • 1 package corn tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded cheese I like the Mexican blend from Trader Joe’s

Instructions
 

Poach the Chicken:

  • Put the chicken in a large pot with a few carrots, celery, salt and peppercorns.
  • Cover the pot with water and bring to a bubble, then turn the heat to low and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Drain the chicken out and let cool. Take the chicken off of the bone and shred.

Prepare the Sauce:

  • Saute the onions in the butter over medium heat until soft.
    Sautéing chopped onions in a non-stick skillet over a gas stove for cooking.
  • Add the chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Cook for another minute.
    Diced onions cooking with spices in a frying pan, preparing flavorful base for a recipe.
  • Add the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
    Sautéed onions with spices and flour in a black skillet for flavorful cooking.
  • Add the chicken stock and bring to a bubble.
    Beef stew simmering in a skillet with broth pouring in from measuring cup.
  • Cook for about 5 minutes.
    Creamy tomato soup in a black pot, simmering on stove.
  • Add the Rotel tomatoes and the green chilies. Simmer for a few more minutes.
    Creamy tomato and pickle relish soup cooking in a black skillet on stovetop.
  • Add the shredded chicken to the pan.
    Shredded cooked chicken added to a flavorful broth in a skillet.

Assemble and Cook:

  • Cut the tortillas into quarters. Line 1/3 of them on the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan.
    Shredded chicken and tortillas for homemade chicken tacos on a kitchen counter.
  • Layer half of the chicken and sauce mixture over the tortillas. Sprinkle with about half of the cheese.
    Cheesy Mexican casserole with shredded cheese on top, ready to bake.
  • Place another layer of tortilla quarters on top.
  • Add the remaining chicken and sauce, then top with the final layer of tortilla quarters.
  • You should end up with 2 chicken layers, and three tortilla layers. Top with cheese.
  • Bake in a 375-degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
    Cheesy lasagna baked in a wooden pan with melted golden cheese on top. Perfect comfort food recipe from Baked Bree.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 28gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 692mgFiber: 1g
Keyword canned green chiles, southern, Tex Mex
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