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Creamy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe Easy Cheesy Golden Crust

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A quick and comforting casserole featuring shredded chicken, creamy sauce, and a cheesy golden crust, perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
  • 8 small flour tortillas, cut into strips (corn tortillas for gluten-free)
  • 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup
  • 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (e.g., Rotel)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup whole milk or half-and-half

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease your casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Dice the onion and green bell pepper finely.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the cream of mushroom or chicken soup, diced tomatoes with chilies (including juice), milk, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until creamy but pourable.
  4. Add the shredded chicken, chopped onion, and bell pepper into the sauce mixture and stir until evenly coated.
  5. Place a layer of tortilla strips evenly at the bottom of the greased casserole dish. Pour half of the chicken mixture over the tortillas and spread gently. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese.
  6. Repeat with another layer of tortillas, the remaining chicken mixture, and finish with the last cup of cheese on top.
  7. Drizzle melted butter over the cheese layer to help form a golden, crunchy crust.
  8. Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown and edges are crisp. A toothpick inserted should come out hot but not overly wet.
  9. Let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving to set and make cutting easier.

Notes

[‘Use warm chicken to avoid cooling the sauce and affecting baking time.’, ‘Butter on top is crucial for a golden crust.’, ‘Layer tortillas evenly to avoid soggy spots.’, ‘Adjust seasoning to taste; add cayenne or hot sauce for more heat.’, ‘Tent with foil if top browns too quickly.’, ‘Soak tortillas briefly in warm water if dry, but avoid sogginess.’, ‘Rest casserole before serving to set properly.’, ‘Can add sour cream to sauce for extra creaminess.’, ‘Vegetarian and low-carb adaptations are possible.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: King Ranch chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, comfort food, quick casserole, shredded chicken recipe

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/creamy-king-ranch-chicken-casserole-recipe-easy-cheesy-golden-crust/