Healthy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Introduction

King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken with a creamy, spicy sauce layered with crispy corn tortillas and melted cheddar cheese. This healthy version uses Greek yogurt for richness without the extra calories, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp (16g) Olive Oil
• 1 medium White Onion, diced
• 1 Bell Pepper, diced
• 5 oz White Mushrooms, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, peeled and minced
• 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 12 oz Shredded Rotisserie Chicken, or any cooked and shredded chicken
• 1 cup (227g) Fat Free Greek Yogurt
• 10 oz can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (such as RO-TEL)
• 12 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas
• 1 1/4 cups (140g) Freshly Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onion, chopped mushrooms, and diced bell pepper until the vegetables begin to soften, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 to 60 seconds. Then stir in the diced tomatoes and green chilies, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and lift any browned bits.
4. Step 4: Reduce the heat to low and add the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Stir well to combine the spices.
5. Step 5: Add the shredded chicken and Greek yogurt to the skillet. Fold everything together until well mixed. Remove the skillet from the heat.
6. Step 6: Place 6 corn tortillas in the bottom of a 12-inch cast iron skillet or large baking dish to form a base layer.
7. Step 7: Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
8. Step 8: Layer the remaining 6 tortillas over the cheese, then repeat with the remaining chicken mixture and cheddar cheese.
9. Step 9: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the tortillas are golden and crispy.
10. Step 10: Remove from the oven and top with freshly chopped cilantro, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken to save time.
• Substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream for a richer flavor.
• Add jalapeños or hot sauce if you like extra heat.
• Swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack cheese for a different cheesy twist.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave until warmed through, or reheat the entire casserole in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes. This casserole can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just add extra baking time if you bake it straight from the fridge.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?

Yes, flour tortillas work well too, but corn tortillas give the dish its traditional texture and flavor with a bit more crunch when baked.

Healthy King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 139 reviews

A healthy and flavorful King Ranch Chicken Casserole made with shredded rotisserie chicken, plenty of vegetables, and a creamy Greek yogurt base, layered with extra thin corn tortillas and cheddar cheese, then baked to golden perfection. This comforting American classic is lighter than the traditional version but still packed with delicious Tex-Mex spices.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables & Aromatics

• 1 medium White Onion, diced
• 1 Bell Pepper, diced
• 5 oz White Mushrooms, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, peeled and minced

Spices & Seasonings

• 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika

Main Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp (16g) Olive Oil
• 12 oz Shredded Rotisserie Chicken, or any cooked and shredded chicken
• 1 C (227g) Fat Free Greek Yogurt
• 10 oz can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (such as RO-TEL)
• 12 Extra Thin Corn Tortillas (such as Mission)
• 1 1/4 C (140g) Freshly Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once hot, add the diced onion, chopped mushrooms, and diced bell pepper. Cook these vegetables until they begin to soften, approximately 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add Garlic and Tomatoes: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant. Then pour in the canned diced tomatoes and green chilies. Use a spatula to deglaze the pan by scraping any browned bits off the bottom to incorporate flavor.
4. Add Spices and Chicken: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Mix well. Next, add the shredded rotisserie chicken and fat-free Greek yogurt to the skillet. Fold everything together evenly and remove the skillet from heat.
5. Assemble the Casserole: In a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a large baking dish, lay 6 corn tortillas to cover the bottom. Spread half of the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly over the tortillas. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheddar cheese on top. Add another layer of 6 tortillas, then the remaining chicken mixture and cheese.
6. Bake the Casserole: Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and optionally top with freshly chopped cilantro, salt and pepper to taste, and a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream. Serve warm and enjoy your healthier King Ranch Chicken Casserole!

Notes

• Each serving has approximately 5 Smart Points.
• Ingredient substitutions are possible such as using different types of cooked chicken or tortillas; see the original post for detailed suggestions.
• The casserole can be customized with additional toppings like jalapeños, avocado, or green onions for added flavor.
• Using fat-free Greek yogurt keeps the dish creamy but lower in fat compared to sour cream.
• For a gluten-free option, ensure the corn tortillas are certified gluten-free.

Keywords: King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Healthy Chicken Casserole, Baked Chicken Casserole, Tex-Mex Casserole, Rotisserie Chicken Recipes, Low Fat Casserole, Greek Yogurt Recipes