King Ranch Chicken From Scratch In One Pan Wellplated Com

Making healthy versions of comfort foods from everyone’s childhood is among my favorite cooking challenges (see Chicken Alfredo Bake). This healthy King Ranch chicken is my latest lightened-up love. Made with just one pan, this sped-up skillet version of the original King Ranch chicken recipe offers lean protein, fresh veggies, and plenty of Tex-Mex comfort with less fat and fewer calories (like my favorite Taco Skillet). Added bonus: if you hustle, this recipe is ready in 30 minutes or less.

How to Make King Ranch Chicken

The original King Ranch chicken recipe reminds me of my Chicken Tortilla Casserole, but with the creaminess factor dialed waaaaaaaay up. However, the ingredients would feel right at home on the ranch. The original King Ranch chicken recipe is a Tex-Mex casserole with layers of corn or flour tortillas, cheese, chicken, diced tomatoes, spices, and usually a can of cream of this or that soup. It’s like an enchilada, pan of Chicken Nachos, and your grandma’s best casserole rolled into one gooey dish of comfort food bliss. My healthy King Ranch chicken recipe is made without canned soup and instead loaded with tons of fresh veggies, lean chicken breast, and opts for reduced-fat cream cheese and nonfat Greek yogurt. It’s King Ranch chicken light!

The Ingredients

Bell Peppers. Loaded with vitamin C, fiber, folate, and potassium, bell peppers add color and texture to the classic King Ranch casserole recipe. Stick with red or opt for a mix of colors (like in these Beef Fajitas). Poblano + Jalapeño Peppers. Add a little kick beyond the chiles in the can of Rotel-style diced tomatoes.

Onion + Garlic. Add an extra layer of zippy flavor.Spices. A classic Tex-Mex blend of chili powder, cumin, and salt delivers all the depth, spice, and flavor this dish needs. (I use a similar blend in this Fiesta Chicken.)Flour. Thickens our healthy, homemade King Ranch chicken sauce.

Chicken Broth. Hydrates the dish and forms the base of the lightened-up sauce.

Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese. Just two ounces of reduced-fat cream cheese in the sauce was all I needed to eliminate the canned soup and create a healthy King Ranch chicken recipe that was still gratifyingly rich.Cooked Chicken Breast. This lean and healthy protein is my hack for getting this easy King Ranch chicken recipe (and this Chicken Enchilada Skillet) on the table in 30 minutes or less.

Corn Tortillas. I opted for corn tortillas because I love how their texture breaks down and mixes with the creamy sauce, thickening it further.

Rotel Tomatoes. Or your favorite brand of canned diced tomatoes with green chiles.Mexican Cheese. Choose your favorite store-bought blend of shredded Mexican cheese or grate directly from a block of Monterrey Jack, pepper jack, cheddar, and/or quesadilla cheese.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Store King Ranch chicken in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Gently heat leftovers in a large ovenproof skillet at 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave. To Freeze. King Ranch chicken may be stored in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Skillet. This oven-safe skillet is the best for one-pan meals like this one.Wooden Spoons. For all your stovetop mixing and stirring needs.Chef’s Knife. An essential tool for any kitchen.

The name “King Ranch chicken” might not have anything to do with the monarchy, but feasting on it made me feel like a queen.

Nonfat Greek yogurt or light sour creamCilantroAvocado or a dollop of the Best Guacamole RecipeSliced green onions or diced red onionChopped greens such as kale or spinachBlack olives