Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken—this cheesy and creamy chicken casserole with tortillas and Rotel has its roots in Texas but that doesn’t mean us non-Texans can’t enjoy it too! Whip up my version in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot and NO cream of soups!
Get the SLOW COOKER King Ranch Chicken recipe here
Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken
Each week in 2020 I’m sharing a recipe inspired by one of the 50 states. So far I’ve covered…
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Minnesota
- Colorado
- Idaho
- Hawaii
- South Carolina
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Alaska
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- South Dakota
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- North Dakota
- Missouri
- Tennessee
- Nebraska
- Ohio
See all the state recipes in one place.
Today’s recipe is inspired by the Lone Star State, Texas. Texas is the second largest state by area in the United States and it is the largest of the contiguous 48 states. They say, “everything’s bigger in Texas.”
Last week I talked about Ohio and how my husband, Greg, lived there for 10 years growing up. The second state of his youth was Texas where he also lived for 10 years. He loved his time in the Dallas area.
When I think about Texas I think about the Dallas Cowboys, hot weather, “the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas”, super nice people, barbecue, Tex-Mex and the Alamo.
I could have chosen a number of different recipes to represent Texas. Mainly barbecue or chili or anything Tex-Mex. I didn’t think I could do those justice. I get a feeling that my Instant Pot brisket and my Instant Pot chili might not make the Texan cut. I’m pretty sure Texans take those two food super seriously.
So instead I chose to go for a casserole called King Ranch Chicken. From what I’ve read King Ranch Chicken is one of those casseroles that is at every potluck in Texas. I’m not sure about that but what I do know is that my version is super yummy and has no cream of soups and makes an excellent weeknight dinner. My version has Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles), corn tortillas, a few spices, chicken and lots of cheese.
The corn tortillas are added in right at the end so they don’t get mushy. Usually I’m not a fan of corn tortillas but for this recipe they are a must. If you use flour tortillas they get gummy. Plus if you’re serving someone who needs to eat gluten free the corn tortillas make that easy.
This casserole sure tastes good. And the leftovers taste great too. Try out this Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken this week!
More Instant Pot Recipes…
Instant Pot Creamy Salsa Chicken
Instant Pot Chicken Sausage Jambalaya
Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Description
This cheesy and creamy chicken casserole with tortillas and Rotel has its roots in Texas but that doesn’t mean us non-Texans can’t enjoy it too! Whip up my version in just a few minutes using your Instant Pot and NO cream of soups!
Ingredients
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (10 oz) can rotel (I used mild)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 11 (6 inch) soft corn tortillas, cut or torn into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups grated medium or sharp cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- Sour cream, for topping
- Sliced avocados, for topping
Instructions
- Add broth, onions and chicken into the Instant Pot. Dump the rotel on top of the chicken. Sprinkle the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano and salt over the chicken.
- Cover the Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 12 minutes for small chicken breasts, 15 minutes for large chicken breasts (if frozen add 3 minutes to each of the times). When the time is up let the pot sit for 5 minutes and then move the valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Place chicken on a cutting board. Shred or dice into pieces. Add the chicken back into the Instant Pot. Add the bell pepper into the Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot to the saute setting. In a bowl stir together the half and half and the cornstarch together until smooth. Stir the mixture into the Instant Pot. It should thicken up shortly.
- Add in the tortillas and the cheese. Stir. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Scoop onto serving dishes and top with cilantro and a dollop of sour cream and avocados.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Excellent flavor! But for left overs, I nuked it for a minute or so, then topped with cheddar and broiled it. The leftovers were amazing.
Great dinner – my husband is now trying to turn this into a dip!!! If you have a 1.5 lb chicken breast (what a big bird!!!) quarter the breast and follow the 12 minute cook time. Thank you, Karen!!!
★★★★★
Dip sounds like a great plan to me!
I made this recipe today. I don’t have an instant pot, but I have a Cuisinart electric pressure cooker. It came out fantastic and easy receive to follow. Lots of great flavors. Definitely a keeper.
★★★★★
Awesome Diana! Do you like your cuisinart?
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, I just wanted to know where is Oregon on your list on this page.
Hi Edward, I haven’t done Oregon yet! Do you have any great ideas?
This was delicious! I loved every bite! For inquiring minds that are not familiar with Rotel, you can buy various degrees of tomato/chilies heat…mild, original, and hot! If you don’t like spicy, go for the mild! Original is hotter, and Hot is way too hot for me!
★★★★★
Thank you Pat! Good info! I always buy mild rotel since I don’t like too much spice.
I grew up in Tx. I’ve made king ranch casserole so many times because it usually has TX pantry staples. While this casserole is not one that comes to mind when I think of TX, it would be hard to choose a recipe since every TX family has there favorites when it comes to meat, bbq, chili, salsa, or anything TX Mex.
This is actually a good choice because it has simple ingredients, easy to make and contains similar Tex Mex flavors. It’s also considered comfort food. I can’t wait to try this instant pot version since it’s getting too hot to turn on oven.
After craving king ranch chicken all day, I had to make it for dinner. It didn’t disappoint and good to know I can now make it in the IP instead of heating the whole house using the oven. I did have to make some minor changes due to ingredients on hand but it didn’t affect overall flavor. I did omit red pepper but was thinking next time adding a southwest frozen blend of corn and peppers. This casserole is a good base to add additional ingredients as well as more heat. As my husband went for a second bowl, he asked how it could be a TX recipe since no beef or heat. Lol I told him I’d add more heat next time and yes, Texans do eat chicken. Thank you so much for sharing recipe.
★★★★
Haha! Funny comment from your husband.
Thank you so much!!
I have lived in five states and loved the Cincy Chili! That , brings back great memories and now your choice for my adopted state of Texas for 15 yr Is perfect! I love King Ranch Chicken and can’t wait to make it in my instant pot. I look forward to the recipes for the other 3 states I have lived in.
★★★★★
Wow you have lived it a lot of places! How fun!
This looks so good! Are you using fresh chicken breasts or frozen chicken breasts? Thank you!
I used frozen.
Well that Works! Made it up tonight with Salsa and canned tomatoes instead of Ro-Tel, because thats what I had. I think I’ll try in on a bed of Tortilla chips sometime.
★★★★★
😊
Made this tonight with ground beef and beef broth – picky eater in the family 🙂 – and it was fantastic!
★★★★★
Yay! That’s always nice to hear 😊
Tried this for dinner tonight. It’s just the hubby and I and we both loved it. I didn’t have any Rotel so I used mild picante sauce. Next time gonna try the Rotel. I think it might add more zip. Regardless, we loved it.
Yum picante sounds awesome!
Great recipe! I made the following changes and we will definitely be having this for dinner again!
Decreased the cheese to 1 1/2 cups
Used fat free evaporated milk instead of half and half.
Loved it!
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing your changes and experience Cathy!
Can I double this recipe and do I change anything if I can double it?
Yes you can. Double the ingredients and keep the same cooking time. https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-double-instant-pot-recipes/
Can you use tortilla chips instead of corn tortilla?
I haven’t tried that myself but you could try it. I bet it would be tasty.
How much broth should I use for my 8 quart pot with this recipe?
I’d use a cup.
we eat low carb. How do you think this would be if we only used half the amount of corn tortillas?
It wouldn’t be quite as thick but it would still taste good!
There’s carb balance tortillas I get at Walmart. They’re fantastic!
Love it! Will make this again and again!
★★★★★
Nice Gail! So glad you liked it 🙂
Can you use flour instead of corn tortillas? My son HATES corn tortillas 🙁
I’m heard mixed things about using flour tortillas. You could try it and see. My guess is that it would be okay the first night and then the leftovers would be mushy.
I think, maybe heating the flour tortillas in a skillet on low without burning them and making them too dark will harden the flour tortillas some almost close to corn tortilla feeling like a crunchyness may not be that soggy if left its going to be leftovers or just add enough to your bowl at the time and not add anymore until the next day and mix it at the time of reheating. Just a couple of options I was just thinking about for those that don’t like corn tortillas. 😊 You know we have to figure things out for our picky kids. All 3of mine are picky and eat like birds.
Yes this is a great solution. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge Cassandra!
What about using nacho chips and adding just before you eat it?
Great idea!
How long would you cook it using frozen thighs? Thanks!
I would do 18 minutes.
If I don’t have half and half what could I substitute?
do you have milk or heavy cream? you could use half milk and half cream.
you might try canned evaporated milk… I always have that on hand
Karen, wishing and praying for your husband. Modern medicine is amazingly wonderful. These things are often more traumatic on the family than on the patient.. Please take care of yourself, and keep us informed.
Thanks so much Edward!
Could flour be used in place of cornstarch? Or us cornstarch best?
You could try it without cornstarch and see how it does. The corn tortillas thicken things up pretty well.
I don’t have an instant pot. Cani make in oven?
Sure! I would follow directions for a traditional king ranch chicken recipe. I would just google it.
Thanks for the recipe just one question- the soft corn tortillas just go in their cut without anything being done to them?
yes that’s correct.
Yum!!! Clean platers all around. I use and recommend your site religiously!! I’m not sure I’ve ever made anything I don’t enjoy 🙂 I have found that dicing chicken before cooking yields better results for me, I’m at high altitude so I have to adjust lots of cooking and baking recipes. We also served it over rice as we are a rice loving family. Thanks again for all the amazing recipes you put together!!!
★★★★★
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Very helpful!
can you tell me what rotel is we live in windsor ontario we have never heard of it thank you Sandy
It’s a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles.
yep 🙂
I live near Midland ON and my local Foodland carries Rotel. Hope yours does too!