• Ree's Life
  • Food and Recipes
  • Home and Life
  • Holiday
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • News and Entertainment
  • Giveaways
  • Subscribe
  • New: Ree's Best Family Meals
  • The Pioneer Woman Products
  • About The Pioneer Woman
  • Newsletter
  • Follow
Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
Skip to Content
Newsletter Sign UpNewsletter
sign in
Subscribe
Logo
sign in
Subscribe
Search
Logo
  • Easy RecipesDown
  • Occasions
  • Ree's Life
  • HomeDown
  • ShoppingDown
  • Just For FunDown
  • About Us
  • My RecipesMy Recipes
  • NewsletterNewsletter
  • Privacy NoticeTerms Of Use
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
sign in
Subscribe
  • Easy Recipes
  • Occasions
  • Ree's Life
  • Home
  • Shopping
  • Just For Fun
  • About Us
  • More
  1. Food and Cooking
  2. Recipes
  3. King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken

This warm, cheesy casserole is easy to assemble ahead of time and bake whenever you’re ready for dinner.

By Ree DrummondUpdated: Sep 3, 2026
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillHalf Star
4.3
3 Ratings
Arrow Circle Down IconJump to recipe
Video poster
Yields:
8 - 12 serving(s)
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
the pioneer woman's king ranch chicken recipe
Stacy Allen

If you're a fan of cheesy Tex-Mex recipes, let me tell you about the king of them all: King Ranch chicken. This casserole is a Texas classic, but these days, its deliciousness has spread far and wide. It's made with shredded chicken, a zesty cream sauce, plenty of melty cheese, and tortillas all layered together in a casserole dish—almost like lasagna. Some versions call for tortilla chips, but I like using corn tortillas instead. Just tear them into pieces!

The casserole can be assembled ahead and baked later on (more info on that below!), so it’s perfect for busy families or if you’re looking for nourishing, comforting dishes to bring to new parents. Chicken casseroles are always crowd-pleasers!

Why is it called King Ranch chicken?

The history on this one is fuzzy. Some say the casserole originated at the famous King Ranch in South Texas, although the ranch itself doesn't claim to have invented it. Others think the casserole might have been inspired by chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican dish with similar ingredients like lightly fried tortillas, salsa, cheese, and a protein such as fried eggs, chicken, or pork. (Here’s my go-to chilaquiles recipe!) We may never know the mysterious origins of King Ranch chicken, but one thing's for sure: it's absolutely delicious!

Can you make King Ranch chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! The casserole can be assembled up to 1 day ahead and stored, covered, in the refrigerator until time to bake.

Can you freeze King Ranch chicken?

Yes, you can also freeze the unbaked casserole for up to 3 months. Follow these steps: Line the baking pan with foil before assembling the casserole. Fold the foil over the unbaked casserole and freeze until solid. Then, lift the foil-topped casserole out of the pan, wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap and store in the freezer. When you're ready to bake it, remove the plastic wrap, place the foil-topped casserole back into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350°F following the recipe instructions.

What do you serve with King Ranch chicken?

Since the casserole is rich and cheesy, I usually go for something light and fresh to balance everything out. Think corn salad, avocado salad, or just this perfect side salad that seems to go with everything!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp. canola or vegetable oil, plus more for the baking dish
  • 1 large white or yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 whole roasted chicken (such as rotisserie chicken), cooled and torn into chunks (about 4 cups)
  • 16 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar (about 6 oz.)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese (about 6 oz.)

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with oil.
    2. Step 2In a large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender and lightly golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce. Remove from the heat and fold in the chicken.
    3. Step 3Spread the reserved 1/2 cup sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place half of the torn tortillas on top of the sauce. Spoon in half of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle on half the cheddar and half the monterey jack cheese. Repeat the layers of tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheeses once.
    4. Step 4Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbling and golden, 15 to 20 minutes more.
    5. Step 5Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Try One of These Recipes Next!

  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole
    1 hr 15 mins
  • Chilaquiles
    35 mins
  • Migas
    30 mins
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Casseroles

Casserole dish with broccoli, cheese, and crunchy topping served with a spoon on a wooden table.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

1 hr 15 mins
Sweet potato casserole topped with pecan crumble served in a white baking dish on a green tablecloth.

Soul Sweet ’Taters Sweet Potato Casserole

2 hrs
the pioneer woman's hamburger casserole recipe

Hamburger Casserole

1 hr
the pioneer woman's king ranch chicken recipe

15 Chicken Casseroles for a Cozy Comfort Food

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
chicken crescent roll ups

Chicken Crescent Roll-Ups

1 hr
the pioneer woman's zucchini lasagna recipe

Summer Casseroles for When Schedules Get Crazy

the pioneer woman's meatball stroganoff recipe

Creative Ways to Eat Meatballs for Dinner

the pioneer woman's squash casserole recipe

Squash Casserole

1 hr 20 mins
A vibrant dish of cornbread topped with green onions, served alongside cucumbers and pickled red onions.

BBQ Chicken Cornbread Bake

1 hr 15 mins
cowboy potato casserole

Cowboy Casserole

55 mins
Baked chicken spaghetti casserole in a red dish with colorful plates and floral decor in the background.

Chicken Spaghetti

1 hr 15 mins
A colorful casserole topped with avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and sour cream, served on a vibrant patterned tablecloth.

Taco Casserole

55 mins
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
x
tiktok
facebook
instagram
pinterest
SubscribeAbout The Pioneer WomanOther Hearst SubscriptionsNewsletter
A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2026 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSitemap
Cookies Choices