King Ranch Chicken Casserole
A quick and easy 5-ingredient casserole combining creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors with tender chicken and crunchy Fritos, perfect for comforting family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 can (10 oz) Ro*Tel diced tomatoes & green chilies (or regular diced tomatoes)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup (cream of chicken can substitute)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
- 1 bag (about 9.25 oz) Fritos corn chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Shred the cooked chicken using two forks until you have about 3 cups.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup and the can of Ro*Tel (including juices). Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the shredded chicken to the sauce mixture and stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly in the bottom of your greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken layer.
- Top the cheese with half of the Fritos corn chips, gently pressing them down.
- Repeat the layering: add the remaining chicken mixture, then the remaining cheese, and finish with the rest of the Fritos on top.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the cheese brown slightly and the chips crisp up.
- Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Drain excess juices from chicken and tomatoes to prevent soggy chips. Add Fritos only in the last 5-10 minutes of baking or sprinkle fresh on top before serving to keep crunch. Let casserole rest before serving for better texture and flavor melding. Can add jalapeños or cayenne for extra spice. Substitute cheeses or chips for dietary preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8th of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: King Ranch Chicken Casserole, easy dinner, 5-ingredient recipe, comfort food, Tex-Mex casserole, cheesy chicken casserole