King Ranch Chicken Casserole with Rotel

King Ranch Chicken Casserole with Rotel is a classic recipe from the south. It features layers of chicken, corn tortillas, peppers and onions smothered in a cheesy sauce. Made with simple ingredients, this will soon become a family favorite!

You're going to love this recipe! Next up try this Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole it's one of our favorite recipes!

Jump to:

• Love this recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Equipment
• FAQ
• Tips
• Storage
• Variations
• Serving Suggestions
• SERVE GREAT MEALS EVERY TIME! 👇
• Related Recipes
• King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Love this recipe

I know you guys like easy casseroles like chicken spaghetti, so I knew this would be a hit as well! It's super rich and cheesy, easy to assemble casserole, it's a family favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds!

Think easy casserole meets enchiladas, without all the fussy prep of rolling! The Rotel chicken bake is an easy meal, perfect for busy weeknights because you can assemble it ahead of time!

This meal is perfect for a a weeknight dinner, buffet or church suppers! It's the ultimate comfort food tex-mex casserole!

Ingredients

For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Here's what you'll need:

• Cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast - rotisserie chicken would great here as would boneless skinless chicken thighs, leftover chicken, even canned chicken will work terrific in this recipe. Just make sure the chicken you're using is completely cooked.
• Can of Rotel tomatoes (tomatoes with green chiles) - or your favorite spicy salsa.
• 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup - though you can certainly substitute with Cheddar Cheese Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup or really any of the cream soups.
• Diced bell peppers and onions. You can use red, yellow, orange or green pepper - whatever you prefer.
• Corn tortillas - though in a pinch you can use flour tortillas, I prefer the flavor of corn tortillas.
• olive, corn, or peanut oil to sauté the vegetables.
• garnish with green onions, sliced jalapeños and minced cilantro.

Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions for this cheesy casserole. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Dice the chicken into 1 inch pieces, slice the tortillas into strips as well. Dice onions and peppers.
3. In a large skillet sauté the peppers and onions in olive oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until just soft.
4. Add the canned soup, ⅓ of the tortilla pieces, and Rotel. Mix together until thoroughly combined. Add the chicken and mix again.
5. Layer half of the tortilla strips in the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with ⅓ of the chicken cheese creamy sauce and ½ shredded cheese. Repeat layering, adding the rest of the tortillas, creamy chicken mixture and finishing with shredded cheese.
6. Bake the Rotel King Ranch Chicken Casserole uncovered for 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Allow to sit 10 minutes before serving.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

• 9x13-inch baking dish - this one has great handles, making it easy to handle when hot.
• wood spoons for cooking - this set is great as it includes a spoon, scraper and slotted spoon.
• 12" cast iron skillet - I have several and use them all the time!

FAQ

Tips

Leftover or rotisserie chicken makes putting the dish together super easy! Of course you can always roast 3-4 chicken breasts so you have specifically what you need for this meal.

If you prefer a saucier cheese sauce, use chicken broth to thin it out.

If you want even more flavor in this meal, fry the tortillas before layering in the casserole.

Place the baking pan under the broiler for 3-5 minutes at the end to get the cheese golden brown.

Garnish with salsa, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, a squeeze of lime juice or fresh cilantro!

Storage

• Storage - Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
• Freezing - store leftovers in an airtight container, freeze up to three months. If freezing unbaked assemble in a foil lined casserole dish. Freeze solid, remove from the dish and freeze up to 3 months.
• Reheating Instructions - allow the frozen casserole to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as covered for 30 minutes, remove the foil, bake an additional 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Variations

• Substitute Doritos or tortilla chips for the layers of corn tortillas. Don't crush them, just layer them in the casserole dish whole.
• No cheddar cheese? Use Colby, Monterey Jack even mozzarella cheese would be delicious and super cheesy!
• Ground beef instead of chicken will be another great tex-mex flavor!
• As I mentioned before, any combination of canned soups will work with this recipe. Cream of mushroom, chicken, cheddar cheese, even celery soup! Just be sure to use green chiles, that's part of the flavor! Use what you have. No need to run to the store!

Serving Suggestions

This has such a great mixture of Tex-Mex flavors!

• Start your meal with this Posole Recipe - it's so good! Then serve the meal with a Southwest Green Salad - it's great with the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe.
• Serve your casserole topped with sour cream, salsa, fresh jalapeños - whatever you top your tacos with!
• Green Beans would be easier to make! And Ranch Roasted Brussels Sprouts could be cooked right in the oven along with the casserole.

Still looking for side dishes to go with your meal? Click here for What to Serve with Chicken Casserole. There are tons of ideas and recipes!

Related Recipes

There are so many comforting casseroles on the blog! Have you had the opportunity to try the Bell Pepper Casserole yet? I love the flavors of roasted bell peppers and without all the prep work, this one is terrific!

• Frito Pie Casserole - always a great choice for a quick and easy family friendly meal!!
• Both the Beef Noodle Pasta Casserole and the Ultimate Chicken Casserole are hearty and delicious. It's a great meal the whole family will love!
• Crockpot Chicken and Gravy is delicious over noodles, rice or mashed potatoes - yum!
• There only 5 ingredient in this easy, fabulous French Onion Salisbury Steak Recipe, I hope you try it soon!
• Taco Salad Casserole is everything you love, baked until hot and bubbly and topped with greens!
• Next time try Stuffed Pepper Casserole - it's easy to make and delicious!
• You'll find 15+ Chicken Taco Casserole Recipes here!

I can't wait until you try this - it's such an easy recipe! If you love it, tell me about it and leave a five-star rating below! It’s one of our very favorites and I think you’ll love it too!

Also if you snap a picture, be sure and tag me on Instagram at @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover – I’d love to see pictures of your tasty eats!