Lightened King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Name: Lightened King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 (4 1/2- to 5-lb. ) whole chicken; 2 celery ribs, cut into 3 pieces each; 2 carrots, cut into 3 pieces each; 2 1/2 to 3 tsp. salt; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped; 1 garlic clove, pressed; 1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup; 1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup; 2 (10-oz.) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon Mexican-style chili powder*; 3 cups grated 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese; 12 (6-inch) fajita-size corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch strips

Servings: persons

1 (4 1/2- to 5-lb. ) whole chicken
2 celery ribs, cut into 3 pieces each
2 carrots, cut into 3 pieces each
2 1/2 to 3 tsp. salt
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup
2 (10-oz.) cans diced tomatoes and green chiles, drained
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Mexican-style chili powder*
3 cups grated 2% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
12 (6-inch) fajita-size corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch strips

1
If applicable, remove giblets from chicken, and reserve for another use. Rinse chicken.
2
Place chicken, celery, carrots, and salt in a large Dutch oven with water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 50 minutes to 1 hour or until chicken is done. Remove from heat. Remove chicken from broth; cool 30 minutes. Remove and reserve 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Strain any remaining cooking liquid, and reserve for another use.
3
Preheat oven to 350u00b0. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and saute 6 to 7 minutes or until tender. Add bell pepper and garlic, and saute 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in reserved 3/4 cup cooking liquid, cream of mushroom soup, and next 5 ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes.
4
Skin and bone chicken; shred meat into bite-size pieces. Layer half of chicken in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with half of soup mixture and 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Cover with half of corn tortilla strips. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
5
Bake, covered, at 350u00b0 for 50 minutes; uncover and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
6
*1 tsp. chili powder and 1/8 tsp. ground red pepper may be substituted for Mexican-style chili powder.

810

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 16 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 (4 1/2- to 5-lb. ) whole chicken, 2 celery ribs, cut into 3 pieces each, 2 carrots, cut into 3 pieces each, 2 1/2 to 3 tsp. salt, and more.

Yes, Lightened King Ranch Chicken Casserole falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Lightened King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions