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Low-carb king ranch casserole will be a family favorite chicken casserole. Cubed chicken, mushrooms, peppers, and cream cheese, paired with taco seasoning and a creamy base. This king ranch chicken casserole recipe is loaded with flavor and light on carbs.
What I love about this recipe is you can use leftover cooked shredded chicken or buy a rotisserie chicken for a quick throw-together casserole for a busy weeknight. This is a delicious comfort food meal your whole family will enjoy! (And it's also a Trim Healthy Mama S fuel!)
If you are looking for more easy chicken recipes, try out this low-carb chicken spaghetti, or even this chicken fajita casserole dish.
This King Ranch Chicken Recipe Is...
- Great recipe for leftover chicken
- Easy to prep
- Flavorful chicken casserole recipe
- Low Carb Recipe
- Trim Healthy Mama S fuel
What is King Ranch chicken made of?
King Ranch chicken is traditionally made with a cream sauce, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Some recipes also include cheese and corn tortillas.
Our version of this dish is made low-carb by omitting the tortillas (but none of the flavor) and adding in some extra veggies for nutrition and bulk.
How To Make This King Ranch Chicken
Preheat the oven as directed and then prep your baking dish.
In a skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil and saute the vegetables as directed.
Next add in the chicken stock, cream cheese, and precooked chicken, mixing until melted.
Then add the tomatoes and taco seasoning, and cook for a couple of minutes.
Then you will mix up the cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, and xanthan gum.
Add the ingredients into a bowl, and then transfer it to the dish and top with cheese.
Bake as directed and once done top with cilantro and dish it up! (See full recipe in the recipe card below)
King ranch chicken casserole without canned soup
One thing I love about this recipe is there is no need for canned soups - condensed cream of mushroom, or otherwise!
Instead, you'll make your own creamy sauce for this delicious tex mex casserole!
Cooked Chicken
You can use any kind of cooked chicken in this recipe.
I like to use rotisserie chicken because it's already cooked and easy to shred, so it's a time saver. You could also use leftover cooked chicken, or cook up some skinless chicken breasts or thighs specifically for this casserole.
Variations And Tips
This is a king ranch chicken casserole without canned soup! Skip the canned soup and enjoy this cheddar cheese topped chicken casserole.
- If you can't find Rotel you can buy a can of diced tomatoes and a can of chopped green chiles and mix the two to replace a can of Rotel.
- You can swap out the variety of shredded cheese with whatever you want. Sharp cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella, or any other flavor. I like to use freshly grated cheese instead of bagged cheese.
- You can use pulled chicken as well if you don't want your chicken in cubes. Just make sure the chicken is not overly seasoned and pre-cooked chicken.
- Add a layer of low-carb flour tortillas to the bottom of the pan before you pour your chicken filling into the casserole.
- Top with extra green chile, bell pepper, yellow onion, diced avocado, fresh cilantro, or ranch dressing!
Common Questions
How spicy is king ranch chicken casserole?
This isn't an overly spicy casserole.
If you use a hot flavored Rotel then it will elevate the spice. Mild Rotel and mild taco seasoning will keep the level of heat minimal.
Or if you want it spicy then add in medium or hot seasoning and Rotel.
Why is it called King Ranch Casserole?
This casserole came about when served at King Ranch in Kingsville Texas. This casserole has since then been taken over on the internet and families around the globe enjoy this casserole.
Do I have to precook the chicken?
Yes, you will need to cook the chicken before adding it to the casserole. You can either cook it ahead of time or cook it while you are prepping the other ingredients.
Is King Ranch Casserole gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Be sure to use a gluten-free taco seasoning. Some brands will label it on the packaging if it is gluten-free. You could also make your own taco seasoning at home - there is a link to a recipe in the recipe card!
How long will this keep in the fridge?
This will store well in the fridge for 3-4 days. I like to reheat mine in the oven so it gets all bubbly and with cheesy goodness on top. You could also reheat it in the microwave.
Can I freeze this King Ranch Casserole?
Yes, you can freeze this casserole. I like to portion it into individual servings and then freeze it.
That way I can easily reheat what I want and don't have to thaw the entire casserole. (This is also great for meal-prep!)
To reheat, let thaw in the fridge overnight and then bake in a 350-degree oven until heated through. You could also reheat it in the microwave.
Can I make King Ranch Chicken in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can! Simply saute the vegetables and add all of the ingredients to the liner of your crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours!
What do you serve with King Ranch casserole?
You can eat this casserole with your favorite vegetables. Or pair with a green salad, dinner rolls, or even low-carb chips for dipping in the casserole.
Why do you saute vegetables before baking casseroles?
Making sure to saute the vegetables is important.
Otherwise, your vegetables will not be tender and could be crunchy when you bite into them.
This low-carb king ranch chicken casserole is a delicious and easy way to enjoy your favorite Tex-Mex dish. You can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer for later. It's perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
Related Recipes
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Chicken Casserole With Green Chiles
- Italian Cabbage Casserole
- Pulled Pork Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 5 Cups Cooked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast , cubed
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Package (8 Ounce) Mushrooms , sliced
- 1 Small Onion , diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper , seeded and diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper , seeded and diced
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese , room temperature
- 1 Cup Chicken Broth
- 1 Can (10 Ounce) Diced Tomatoes With Green Chilies
- 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
- 2 Cups Shredded Colby-Jack Cheese , divided
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- ½ Teaspoon Xanthan Gum
- Salt And Pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons Cilantro , chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil and add the mushrooms, onions, and bell pepper. Cook until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and cream cheese, stirring until the cream cheese is completely melted.
- To the skillet, add the tomatoes and taco seasoning. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together 1 cup of cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, and xanthan gum.
- Add the contents of the skillet to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Transfer to the casserole dish and top each with the remaining cheese.
- To bake, place the casserole in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Top with fresh cilantro and serve.
Nutrition
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Denise
This is absolutely delicious and I can not wait to make this for my mom.