Tag Archives: cheesy

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Black Bean Chicken and Rice- Revisited

This Saturday, we had a busy day planned and so in an effort to alleviate the dinnertime rush, I made dinner in the morning. Hubby requested this dish earlier in the week so I love when I don’t have to plan what to eat, just go on my way to cooking!

I made a different kind of topping this time and I really like how it came out! I buzzed the tortilla chips in a food processor for 2 seconds and added 2 TBL of melted butter and a small handful of cilantro. I nixed the cooking spray this time around and thought the topping was much better! And the cilantro added a greenish tint to the chips. Everything else was the same, chicken, rice, jalapenos, etc. I baked it at 400 degrees for an hour covered and then took off the foil for 15 minutes. Everyone gobbled it up!

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 3 TBL butter
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup half and half cream
  • 4-5 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (2 lbs)
  • 1 1/2 cups white rice
  • 8 oz jack cheese, shredded (I used my food processor)
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • Tortilla chips, crushed to crumbs
  • cooking spray

Black Bean Chicken and Rice Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Directions:

Melt butter in a large pot (with a lid) over medium high heat.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Add bell peppers, onion, jalapenos and salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Stir in garlic and cumin and warm through, about 30 seconds. Add in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until slightly browned.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Whisk in broth and cream, stirring slowly to incorporate. Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Add the chicken breasts, cover and bring to a simmer.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Reduce heat to low and cook until chicken is cooked completely or thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 15-18 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Remove chicken to cool and add rice to broth mixture. Stirring often, cover rice and cook until cooked, about 22 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Shred chicken when cooled enough to handle. Remove pan from heat and stir in following ingredients: shredded chicken, grated cheese, drained black beans, corn and lime juice.

Black Bean Chicken and RiceBlack Bean Chicken and Rice

Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 13 x 9 dish. Spread out the crushed tortilla chips on top of mixture. Spray with cooking spray all over top. Cover with foil. Place in 400 degree oven for 45-60 minutes until bubbling. Remove foil and bake until crumbs are crisp, 15-20 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

This makes a huge amount of food and its really great leftover! If you have a small crowd, I would recommend freezing half or double it and freeze. Just thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours and bake as above.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Black Bean Chicken and Rice- Revisited
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12 servings
 
While this dish has a little prep time, the end result is totally worth it!
Ingredients
  • 3 TBL butter
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup half and half cream
  • 4-5 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (2 lbs)
  • 1½ cups white rice
  • 8 oz jack cheese, shredded (I used my food processor)
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1½ cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • Tortilla chips, crushed to crumbs
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large pot (with a lid) over medium high heat.
  2. Add bell peppers, onion, jalapenos and salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic and cumin and warm through, about 30 seconds. Add in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until slightly browned.
  4. Whisk in broth and cream, stirring slowly to incorporate.
  5. Add the chicken breasts, cover and bring to a simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to low and cook until chicken is cooked completely or thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 15-18 minutes.
  7. Remove chicken to cool and add rice to broth mixture. Stirring often, cover rice and cook until cooked, about 22 minutes.
  8. Shred chicken when cooled enough to handle. Remove pan from heat and stir in following ingredients: shredded chicken, grated cheese, drained black beans, corn and lime juice.
  9. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 13 x 9 dish. Spread out the crushed tortilla chips on top of mixture. Spray with cooking spray all over top. Cover with foil. Place in 400 degree oven for 45-60 minutes until bubbling. Remove foil and bake until crumbs are crisp, 15-20 minutes.
  10. This can be frozen and defrosted overnight in the fridge. Bake as above after defrosted.
 

Please let me know what you think about the Black Bean Chicken and Rice. I would love to hear any and all comments!

Pasta Ricotta Bake

What’s your go-to meal when you aren’t sure what to have for dinner? This is mine!
We have this every other week or so and it always comes out awesome! It requires just a few pantry staples and can be tailored to any other items you might need to use or have in your refrigerator.

This is actually a back-logged recipe I’ve been meaning to post since December! I made it when my husband’s parents were coming into town for Christmas. Due to bad weather on the way, they made the drive here a day early. I chose to make this for dinner the night they arrived. I know its always nice to have a home cooked meal after a long 12 hour day in the car of fast food and on-the-go snacks! I appreciate when we make the drive there for sure! So I was just trying to repay the hospitality!

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Grammy and Grandpa are the best! And such silly munchkins!

Anyways, back to the nitty-gritty! Here is my recipe.

Pasta Ricotta Bake

Ingredients:

Pasta
Ricotta
Cheese
Sauce

Just Kidding- but that could be the list for this meal and it would be pretty good! You can make this more complex (making your own sauce) or easier (less veggies) or vegetarian (no meat!) Its also one of those things that is easy to make early then chill in the fridge until you’re ready heat in the oven! Here’s mine for real:

  • 1 lb pasta (any kind works but I used whole wheat penne)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 TBL olive oil
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, chopped (can use any color really)
  • 4 oz mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or put through garlic press
  • 1/2 package (about 4 oz) baby spinach, chopped
  • 1 jar pasta sauce
  • 16 oz container ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups parmesan cheese, divided (could substitute mozzarella too)
  • 2 eggs

There are 3 parts to this: Meat, Pasta & Ricotta Mixture. I think its easiest to start heating the salted water for pasta then make meat and sauce. While that’s cooking, stir together the ricotta.

Directions:

Cook pasta in salted water, cooking 1-2 minutes less than box recommends. Drain as usual.
Pasta Ricotta Bake

Warm up the oil in a large dutch oven and dump in the ground beef. After it has started to brown (3-4 minutes), add the onion, mushrooms bell pepper, garlic. Cook for 8-10 minutes on medium low until onion has turned translucent and bell pepper has softened. Season with salt and pepper. Add the pasta sauce and spinach and turn on low and continue cooking for a few more minutes and all is warmed through. Add pasta and stir into sauce.

Pasta Ricotta Bake

While meat in cooking, use a large bowl to stir ricotta together. Start with ricotta and add in the eggs and lightly beat together. Season with salt and pepper and add 1/2 cup of the parmesan.

Pasta Ricotta Bake

Prepare a casserole dish (at least 9×13) by spraying with non stick cooking spray. Spread 1/2 of the meat and 1/2 of the pasta in the bottom and press firmly for an even layer. Mound in the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread out evenly.

Pasta Ricotta BakePasta Ricotta Bake

Add on the remainder of the meat and pasta and press into the dish. Hopefully your dish is large enough to accommodate it all!

Pasta Ricotta BakePasta Ricotta Bake

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 1/2 cup of parmesan and cover with foil. I’ve found it helps to spray the underside of the foil and it keeps the cheese for sticking.

Pasta Ricotta Bake

Place immediately in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or if from refrigerator, for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Pasta Ricotta Bake
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 10 servings
 
The easiest dish to put together, ever! And everyone always gobbles it up!
Ingredients
  • 1 lb pasta (any kind works but I used whole wheat penne)
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 TBL olive oil
  • 2 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, chopped (can use any color really)
  • 4 oz mushrooms, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or put through garlic press
  • ½ package (about 4 oz) baby spinach, chopped
  • 1 jar pasta sauce
  • 16 oz container ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups parmesan cheese, divided (could substitute mozzarella too)
  • 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta in salted water, cooking 1-2 minutes less than box recommends. Drain as usual.
  2. Warm up the oil in a large dutch oven and dump in the ground beef. After it has started to brown (3-4 minutes), add the onion, mushrooms bell pepper, garlic.
  3. Cook for 8-10 minutes on medium low until onion has turned translucent and bell pepper has softened. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Add the pasta sauce and spinach and turn on low and continue cooking for a few more minutes and all is warmed through. Add pasta and stir into sauce.
  5. While meat in cooking, use a large bowl to stir ricotta together. Start with ricotta and add in the eggs and lightly beat together. Season with salt and pepper and add ½ cup of the parmesan.
  6. Prepare a casserole dish (at least 9x13) by spraying with non stick cooking spray. Spread ½ of the meat and ½ of the pasta in the bottom and press firmly for an even layer. Mound in the ricotta mixture over the pasta and spread out evenly.
  7. Add on the remainder of the meat and pasta and press into the dish.
  8. Sprinkle with the remaining 1½ cup of parmesan and cover with foil that has been sprayed on the under side.
  9. Place immediately in 350 degree oven for 40 minutes or if from refrigerator, for 1 hour 20 minutes.
  10. Let sit 5-10 minutes before devouring.
 

Hope you enjoy as much as we do! I’d love to hear what you think of the Pasta Ricotta Bake! Please feel free to leave a comment!

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

I’ve been pretty neglectful of my blog the past week but its been a hectic week!

There are some great posts I have waiting for me to write! If only I could blog instead of sleep, I would get everything done I wanted! HA!

This chicken and rice dish has been in my back pocket (not literally…) since we had some good friends over for dinner after Thanksgiving. I wanted to make something that was pretty far removed from stuffing and turkey and the like. This really hit the spot with the fresh peppers and corn and creamy rice. They brought over a really delicious salad to go with and we had a great meal!

Luckily I had an excellent helper to make it more fun!

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

3 TBL butter
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press
1 tsp cumin
1/4 cup flour
6 cups chicken broth
1 cup half and half cream
4-5 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (2 lbs)
1 1/2 cups white rice
8 oz jack cheese, shredded (I used my food processor)
1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
2 limes, juiced
Tortilla chips, crushed to crumbs
cooking spray

Black Bean Chicken and Rice Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Melt butter in a large pot (with a lid) over medium high heat.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Add bell peppers, onion, jalapenos and salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Stir in garlic and cumin and warm through, about 30 seconds. Add in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until slightly browned.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Whisk in broth and cream, stirring slowly to incorporate. Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Add the chicken breast, cover and bring to a simmer.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Reduce heat to low and cook until chicken is cooked completely or thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 15-18 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Remove chicken to cool and add rice to broth mixture. Stirring often, cover rice and cook until cooked, about 22 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Shred chicken when cooled enough to handle. Remove pan from heat and stir in following ingredients: shredded chicken, grated cheese, drained black beans, corn and lime juice.

Black Bean Chicken and RiceBlack Bean Chicken and Rice

Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 13 x 9 dish. Spread out the crushed tortilla chips on top of mixture. Spray with cooking spray all over top. Cover with foil. Place in 400 degree oven for 45-60 minutes until bubbling. Remove foil and bake until crumbs are crisp, 15-20 minutes.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

This makes a huge amount of food and its really great leftover! If you have a small crowd, I would recommend freezing half or double it and freeze. Just thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours and bake as above.

Black Bean Chicken and Rice

Black Bean Chicken and Rice
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 12 servings
 
Ingredients
  • 3 TBL butter
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup half and half cream
  • 4-5 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (2 lbs)
  • 1½ cups white rice
  • 8 oz jack cheese, shredded (I used my food processor)
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
  • 1½ cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • Tortilla chips, crushed to crumbs
  • cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large pot (with a lid) over medium high heat.
  2. Add bell peppers, onion, jalapenos and salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic and cumin and warm through, about 30 seconds. Add in flour and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until slightly browned.
  4. Whisk in broth and cream, stirring slowly to incorporate.
  5. Add the chicken breasts, cover and bring to a simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to low and cook until chicken is cooked completely or thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 15-18 minutes.
  7. Remove chicken to cool and add rice to broth mixture. Stirring often, cover rice and cook until cooked, about 22 minutes.
  8. Shred chicken when cooled enough to handle. Remove pan from heat and stir in following ingredients: shredded chicken, grated cheese, drained black beans, corn and lime juice.
  9. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 13 x 9 dish. Spread out the crushed tortilla chips on top of mixture. Spray with cooking spray all over top. Cover with foil. Place in 400 degree oven for 45-60 minutes until bubbling. Remove foil and bake until crumbs are crisp, 15-20 minutes.
  10. This can be frozen and defrosted overnight in the fridge. Bake as above after defrosted.
 

Please let me know what you think about the Black Bean Chicken and Rice. I would love to hear any and all comments!

Mexican Vermicelli (Sopa Seca)

Mexican Vermicelli (Sopa Seca)

We had an awesome Thanksgiving! There was so much food but we got to eat leftovers just enough times to make me appreciate it… and now they are gone! Thanks to all the Morgans for sharing a wonderful holiday with us!

IMG_1047 IMG_1044

Before we had our big Thanksgiving dinner, I planned and cooked and prepared for a few days in advance. At the end of one such afternoon, I had been doing a lot of cooking and I still needed to make dinner. I took some left over porkchops and made this mexican Vermecelli dish. It comes together so easily that even after a day of cooking, it was no sweat! It was so helpful to have the leftover protein to use the next night. I love when things like that work out! I served it right out of my skillet too!

You could really make this with anything leftover: grilled chicken, shredded chicken, pork tenderloin, or turkey! (As if you want more turkey right now!)

Mexican Vermicelli (Sopa Seca)

8 oz vermicelli (or spaghetti)
2 T oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp chipotle sauce (more if you want it super spicy!)
salt and pepper
2 cups chicken broth
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 lb cooked porkchops, sliced thinly (or chicken or turkey)
3 oz shredded Mexican cheese
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, sliced thin

Instructions

Break the vermicelli in half. I find it easiest to break when rolled in a paper towel and split by pushing the middle over the edge of the counter.

Mexican Vermicelli

Toast the vermicelli in 1 TBL of oil in a large skillet over medium heat, until golden brown. Stir often and should take about 5 minutes.

IMG_1011

Remove to paper towel lined plate (can use the paper towel from before). Add the remaining oil, onion, garlic, chipotle, salt and pepper to the skillet and cook until onion is softened, 5-6 minutes. Add the whole can of tomatoes and stir.

Mexican Vermicelli

Add the broth, black beans and vermicelli. Cover and cook over low heat, until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid vermicelli sticking. Season with salt and pepper. (I had to use another pan since my large one doesn’t have a lid!) The mixture is hard to stir at first but when the noodles start to soften, you can really start mixing it all up.


Mexican Vermicelli
Mexican Vermicelli

Mexican VermicelliMexican Vermicelli

Stir pork, cilantro and green onions into dish and cook until heated through. (Taste test pork as needed.)

Mexican Vermicelli Mexican Vermicelli Mexican Vermicelli

Take off of heat and sprinkle on cheese.

Mexican Vermicelli

Delicioso!

Mexican Vermicelli (Sopa Seca)
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 servings
 
This delicious one-pot dish with a Mexican twist with black beans and tomatoes.
Ingredients
  • 8 oz vermicelli (or spaghetti)
  • 2 T oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp chipotle sauce (more if you want it super spicy!)
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 lb cooked porkchops, sliced thinly (or chicken or turkey)
  • 3 oz shredded Mexican cheese
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin
Instructions
  1. Break the vermicelli in half, rolling it lengthwise in a few paper towels and split by pushing the middle in half over the edge of the counter.
  2. Toast the vermicelli in 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat, until golden brown. Stir often, cooking about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove to a paper towel lined plate. Add the remaining oil, onion, garlic, chipotle sauce, salt and pepper to the skillet and cook until onion is softened, about 5-6 minutes. Add the can of tomatoes and stir.
  4. Add the broth, black beans and vermicelli. Cover and cook over low heat, until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid any sticking. Season with salt and pepper. Noodles will be stiff at first but will soften after a few minutes.
  5. Stir pork, cilantro and green onions into dish and cook until heated through.
  6. Take off heat and sprinkle on cheese.
 

Please feel free to leave a comment and let you know what you think about the Mexican Vermicelli!

Spicy Tamale Pie

Spicy Tamale Pie

It has been a few days since I have been able to post. I had a cold (who didn’t have one?!) that really got the best of me this week and just a whole lot on the old to-do list, plus my hubby was out of town last weekend. It doesn’t lend itself to a productive time!

I found this recipe on the wonderful time-suck that is Pinterest. I’ve been making it for a year or so and have tweaked it a bit that makes it even better (IMO). The orginal one I used can be found here: http://pinchofyum.com/chicken-tamale-pie

I started by roasting chicken drumsticks for dinner a few nights ago and last night I was craving something with a little kick to it! Tamale Pie is super easy to throw together and you can tailor the spicy-ness very easily. In fact, I made this one a little TOO spicy and decided not to scar my children by feeding it to them, whoops!

I apologize for the lack of pictures for this post since my camera was acting very funny! I changed the batteries in my external flash and left it alone for a day then everything looked good again! Who knows what happened? Couldn’t have been operator error, of course!

Spicy Tamale Pie

1/3 cup milk
1 egg
seasoning mix: see below (original recipe calls for 1 1/2 TBL taco seasoning)
1 14 oz can cream style corn
1 8.5oz box cornbread mix
1 7oz can chopped green chilies
Enchilada sauce:
1/2 14 oz can tomato sauce
3 TBL flour
1 1/2 cup water
1 TBL chili powder
2-3 cups shredded chicken (I used the chicken drumsticks but a rotisserie chicken would work great here!)
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup cotija cheese
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Spicy Tamale Pie

I admit, not the best picture I’ve ever taken! I blame my camera…

Seasoning mix:

1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp each: oregano, garlic powder, onion powder
1 tsp each: chili powder, ground cumin
Cayenne Pepper: 1/4-1 tsp (depending on your desired level of spicy-ness; I used a heaping 1/2tsp and it had some good kick!)

Spicy Tamale Pie

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Beat together egg, milk, 1/2 of seasoning mix, chilies, cream corn, and cornbread mix to make batter in a medium size bowl.

Spicy Tamale Pie

Pour into a greased pie pan and put into oven for 20-25 min.

Spicy Tamale Pie

While cornbread bakes, make enchilada sauce by mixing flour in water to make smooth paste. Combine in saucepan with chili powder and tomato sauce, adding a tablespoon at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add remaining seasoning mix to shredded chicken.

Spicy Tamale Pie

When cornbread is done (it will be barely set), poke with a fork all over. Pour enchilada sauce over cornbread. I find it helps to drizzle slowly to allow cornbread to soak it up. Top with seasoned chicken and scatter shredded cheese. Place back in oven for 10-15 minutes just for cheese to melt.

Spicy Tamale Pie Spicy Tamale Pie

Top with cotija cheese and cilantro. Enjoy!

Spicy Tamale Pie

The cotija cheese on top melts from the heat of everything and gets just slightly gooey! Its awesome!

Spicy Tamale Pie

Spicy Tamale Pie
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 servings
 
One of my family's favorites, a spicy cheesy dish that is a little different from the norm.
Ingredients
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • seasoning mix: see below (original recipe calls for 1½ TBL taco seasoning)
  • 1 14 oz can cream style corn
  • 1 8.5oz box cornbread mix
  • 1 7oz can chopped green chilies
  • Enchilada sauce:
  • ½ 14 oz can tomato sauce
  • 3 TBL flour
  • 1½ cup water
  • 1 TBL chili powder
  • 2-3 cups shredded chicken (I used the chicken drumsticks but a rotisserie chicken would work great here!)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 cup cotija cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
  • Seasoning mix:
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp each: oregano, garlic powder, onion powder
  • 1 tsp each: chili powder, ground cumin
  • Cayenne Pepper: ¼-1 tsp
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stir together seasoning mix.
  2. Beat together egg, milk, ½ of seasoning mix, chilies, cream corn and cornbread mix to make batter in a medium bowl.
  3. Pour into a greased pie pan and put into oven for 20-25 min.
  4. While cornbread bakes, make enchilada sauce by mixing flour in water to make smooth paste. Combine in saucepan with chili powder and tomato sauce, adding a tablespoon at a time. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add remaining seasoning mix to shredded chicken.
  5. When cornbread is done (barely set), poke all over with a fork. Slowly pour enchilada sauce over cornbread. Top with seasoned chicken and scatter shredded cheese on top. Place back in oven for 10-15 minutes just for cheese to melt.
  6. Top with cotija cheese and cilantro.
 

Please feel free to leave a comment or question about the Spicy Tamale Pie. I would love to know what you thought!

King Ranch Chicken

King Ranch Chicken

When you want something yummy, filling, cheesy and/or all of the above, this is a great dish for that. I even prepped everything ahead of time and then let it sit in the fridge until a hour before we were ready to eat. I love recipes like this since I can do so much while little ones are sleeping or otherwise occupied.

I adapted this recipe from a few different ones and omitted a lot of the “cream-of” whatevers soups. It still has that great creamy taste, but with none of the weird, hard to pronounce ingredients!

We gobbled this right up and had hardly any left over. This dish is also one that can be easily doubled and frozen. Just defrost overnight in the fridge and bake as you would with the other version! Enjoy!!

 

King Ranch Chicken

6-8 chicken thighs
1 TBL chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 onion
1 each, red and green pepper
3 cloves garlic
2 roma tomatoes
3 TBL flour
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies
12 flour tortillas
8 oz grated cheese
1 TBL chopped cilantro

King Ranch Chicken- Ingredients

Lay out chicken thighs on baking sheet and season with salt, pepper and spices on both sides and brush with olive oil. Put in oven to broil for 4-5 min per side until browned. (You could also use already cooked chicken, just add seasoning and spices.)

King Ranch Chicken- Spice Mix

King Ranch Chicken- Chicken Thighs

Remove chicken from tray and reserve 1/4 cup of liquid from chicken. (Use 3 TBL of butter if using cooked chicken.) Allow chicken to cool and chop/shred into bite-size peices. (I usually do this in the dish its to be cooked in, less dirty dishes, right!?)

Warm reserved liquid in skillet or saute pan and heat to bubbling. Add flour and cook 1-2 min until flour is moistened. Add chicken broth and bring to boiling. Reduce and cook for 5-10 min. Pour into another container (I used my measuring cup).

King Ranch Chicken- 2 cups broth

Chop all veggies and mince garlic.

King Ranch Chicken- Green Pepper, Onion, Red Pepper, Garlic

Using the same pan, add veggies and saute on medium low for 5 min until soft.

King Ranch Chicken- Sautee Veggies

Chop tomatoes and add fresh tomatoes and Rotel to pan.

King Ranch Chicken- Tomatos diced

Slice tortillas into triangles

King Ranch Chicken- Tortilla Triangles

Now time to start layering! I set up an assembly line: tortillas, veggies, chicken, cheese. First, layer tortillas on bottom of a large oven-proof pan. (If you don’t have the chicken liquid in your dish, make sure to spray the bottom.)

King Ranch Chicken- Cover the bottom

Next, comes 1/3 of the veggies, then 1/3 of the chicken.King Ranch Chicken- Layering

Add cheese and keep layering, tortillas, veggies, and chicken until all is used, holding off on last 1/3 of cheese. Pour soup mixture then add cheese and sprinkle cilantro on top.

King Ranch Chicken- Ready for the oven

At this point you could put in oven at 325 for 40 minutes or cover and refrigerate or freeze. If refrigerated, I put it in my oven for 1 hour at 325. If frozen, you can defrost in fridge and then follow refrigerator instructions.

FInished Product! King Ranch Chicken

We served it with some sour cream to top it off, yummmm!

King Ranch Chicken
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6-8 servings
 
A home made make ahead update to the classic King Ranch Chicken. No soups here!
Ingredients
  • 6-8 chicken thighs
  • 1 TBL chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 onion
  • 1 each, red and green pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 roma tomatoes
  • 3 TBL flour
  • 2½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and chilies
  • 12 flour tortillas
  • 8 oz grated cheese
  • 1 TBL chopped cilantro
Instructions
  1. Lay out chicken thighs on baking sheet and season with salt, pepper and spices on both sides and brush with olive oil. Put in oven and broil for 4-5 minutes per side until browned. (You can use already cooked chicken, just add seasoning and spices).
  2. Remove chicken from tray and reserve ¼ cup of liquid from chicken. (Use 3 TBL of butter if using cooked chicken.) Allow chicken to cool and chop/shred into bite size pieces. (Can be done in dish used it will all be cooked in.
  3. Warm reserved liquid (or butter) in skillet or saute pan and heat until bubbling. Add flour and cook 1-2 minutes until flour is moistened. Add chicken broth and bring to boiling. Reduce and cook for 5-10 minutes. Pour into another container.
  4. Chop all veggies and mince garlic. Using same pan, add veggies and saute on medium low for 5 minutes until soft.
  5. Chop tomatoes and add to pan with Rotel as well.
  6. Slice tortillas into triangles.
  7. Start layers in 9x13 casserole, covering bottom with tortillas first then ⅓ of veggies, ⅓ of chicken, cheese. Keep layering until all is used, holding off on last ⅓ of cheese. Pour soup mixture first then add cheese.
  8. *Can be refrigerated or frozen after covering at this point. Place in oven for 1 hour at 325. If frozen, defrost in fridge overnight and then heated in oven as above.
  9. Serve with sour cream on top!
Please let me know what you thought of the King Ranch Chicken! I would love to hear from you!