Skinny Skillet King Ranch Casserole Recipe (20 Minutes, High Protein) Casseroles High Protein Recipes Dinner Chicken Recipes Mexican Recipes Tex-Mex Recipes

Growing up in Texas, king ranch casserole was always a favorite. But when it's just the two of you, this Mexican casserole recipe can be overwhelming. Most king ranch casseroles are huge (layered in a 13x9-inch pan) and loaded with cans of cream of chicken soup.

Here's my version of a lighter, more manageable size king ranch casserole. It'll still feed a family, but we have leftovers for one night instead of for a whole week. And no long baking time! The high-protein chicken casserole is ready in about 20 minutes.

The easy king ranch casserole is made with onion, red bell pepper, poblano pepper, jalapeno, garlic, cumin, chicken broth, flour, cream cheese (adds the creaminess with the canned soup), shredded chicken, tomatoes with green chiles, corn tortillas, cheese and cilantro. The ingredients cook on the stovetop in a skillet instead of baking in the oven like the traditional recipe. This lighter version does not lack in flavor!

Serve this king ranch casserole with avocado slices or guacamole. Because you'll have so much time of your hands with this 20-minute recipe, make some refried beans or a salad for a side dish.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 poblano pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 - 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I used chicken breast)
• 10 ounces (1 can) tomatoes with green chiles, drained
• 4 corn tortillas, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 - 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the oil in an ovenproof skillet or cast iron skillet. Add the onion, red bell pepper, poblano pepper and jalapeno. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
2. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Pour in the broth and cook another minute.
3. Add the cream cheese and cook until melted, then add the cooked chicken, tomatoes and green chiles and tortilla pieces. Season with salt and pepper. (You can use dark or white chicken meat for this casserole. Use mild, original or hot tomatoes with green chiles based on your heat preference.)
4. Top with the shredded cheese.
5. Put the skillet under a preheated broiler and cook just until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with the cilantro, if using. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by HappyForks. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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