{"id":2014917,"date":"2024-07-13T01:05:13","date_gmt":"2024-07-28T06:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=2014917"},"modified":"2024-11-12T14:17:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-12T20:17:50","slug":"king-ranch-casserole","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/king-ranch-casserole\/","title":{"rendered":"King Ranch Casserole"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creamy, cheesy King Ranch chicken casserole is famous in Texas, but it’s a new recipe for folks (like me) who live outside the South. I decided it was time to see what all the hype was about and whip up a King Ranch casserole at home in Vermont. I found a vintage version of the recipe that belonged to Lady Bird Johnson, former first lady and wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Texas-born-and-raised Johnsons were known for their love of iconic southern comfort foods<\/a>. I slightly adapted the recipe to amp up the flavor and spice.<\/p>\n

After making it, my family and I agreed it’s definitely one of those quick and easy comfort food recipes<\/a> we’ll make again. It is creamy with a thick topping of melted cheese and just\u00a0<\/em>the right amount of chili pepper heat. The corn tortillas provide a nice bit of chewiness amidst the rich filling, especially along the edges where the tortillas brown and crisp up a little.<\/p>\n

What is King Ranch casserole?<\/h2>\n

King Ranch chicken casserole is a layered Tex-Mex recipe<\/a> made with corn tortillas, shredded chicken, tomatoes with green chiles, canned soup and plenty of melted cheese. While some versions eschew canned ingredients and attempt to change the King Ranch casserole recipe into a more modern creation, our recipe leans into the dish as it’s meant to be: a Texas casserole that’s easy, cheesy comfort food. Or, as a 1966 edition of the San Antonio Light<\/em> newspaper put it, “A hit with men as well as with women guests.”<\/p>\n

King Ranch chicken casserole is famous in Texas and its neighboring states, where it’s been a staple since the late ’40s. That timing makes sense considering one of its key ingredients\u2014Campbell’s cream of chicken soup\u2014debuted in 1947. The casserole is a staple for family dinners, potlucks, funeral receptions and church suppers. It’s a popular contribution to local Junior League cookbooks too.<\/p>\n

Why is it called King Ranch casserole?<\/h2>\n

It’s unknown exactly where this dish got its name or who created it. Many people have assumed that the recipe was created at King Ranch, a well-known cattle ranch in southern Texas. However, the owners refute this, noting that the ranch’s 168-year history has focused on beef, not chicken.<\/p>\n

King Ranch Casserole Ingredients<\/h2>\n