Texas Ranch Chicken Casserole
It’s tasty and it’s creamy,
A bit spicy and crunchy,
All sorts of yummy,
And as Texan as can be!
It’s light and it’s healthy,
Yet it’s thick and hearty,
And don’t forget very cheesy,
It’s the Texan way to eat.
Some say casseroles are boring,
But I must degree.
With rotel, ranch seasoning, chili powder and green and red peppers (did I mention the cheese?)
This dish is very exciting.
I can hear the doubt in your minds,
As you eye these words,
“Cheese and ranch and peppers–
there’s nothing light here!”
But you see friends,
That is what is so fabulous about this dish.
It has spice and flavor,
Creamy texture and zest,
And with only 329 calories a serving,
And containing servings of both lean meat and veggies,
Is a casserole best.
Don’t take my word,
Make one of your own!
And after one bite,
A single morsel,
Even the slightest crumb,
You too, will agree,
that this casserole is mighty tasty.
Texas Ranch Chicken Casserole (From Taste of Home Healthy Cooking)
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 tbsp. canola oil
1 garlic clove
3 cups cubed chicken breasts
1 can reduced fat and reduced sodium cream of celery soup
1 can reduced fat and reduced sodium cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
1 tbspn. Chili powder
12 corn tortillas (I used extra thin. They want you to cut into one inch strips, but I just layered them)
2 cups reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided
* Ranch dressing seasoning–1 packet (my personal addition)
1) In a large non-stick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute onion, celery and peppers in oil until crisp tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Stir in soups, chicken, tomatoes and chili powder.
2) Line bottom of 3 qt. baking dish w/ half tortilla strips (or tortillas) top with half of the chicken mixture and cup of cheese. Repeat layers. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a glorious new tale about a sassy Southern Lady that causes havoc with her friend in a pink VW bug, much to the dismay of her husband and children! Then we’ve got a new creative woman of the Pond and more whimsical fun! Stay tuned!
September 24th, 2009 at 3:44 am
This looks so delicious. I’m craving chicken casserole now. I’m on a budget right now so I can’t buy too many things to cook with but everytime I come to your page, I want to run out to the grocery stores and buy all these ingredients to make these amazing dishes. Thanks again for sharing! I also hate it when my nail polish chips, esp my finger nails. Hope you’re having a good week.
Carrie
September 24th, 2009 at 4:23 am
I am trying to think what Rotel is- brain freeze. I’m writing this one down!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:37 am
This looks wonderful!! Going on the dinner menu for this week!!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am
That looks yummy and I love that it is healthy. We are not a casserole family, but I might have to try this one out.
September 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am
I can almost smell it! Yum!!
September 24th, 2009 at 5:02 am
It sounds delicious ! I have to figure out how to substitute thing are not sold around here ! Baci
September 24th, 2009 at 5:11 am
spicy + cheesy = yummy!!
September 24th, 2009 at 5:35 am
I can bring my own plate and fork, just tell me where to go to get some of that!
That’s going in the recipe file
September 24th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Oh that looks so good!
September 24th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Wow – more healthy cooking! It looks delicious!
September 24th, 2009 at 6:36 am
wish I was in my jammies having some right now!
what is Rotel?
kHm
September 24th, 2009 at 6:38 am
I’m in love with these new healthy recipes – I must find time to try this!
And I second, what’s rotel?
September 24th, 2009 at 7:42 am
This looks incredible. My favorite kind of healthy food is food that looks too amazing to be healthy.
September 24th, 2009 at 7:45 am
Yum, yum, yum. This is my kind of food Duckie!
September 24th, 2009 at 7:49 am
That looks so good! I’m gonna have to try it!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:03 am
It looks good. Would just not have to tell the hubby it was healthy though.
Thanks for the recipe.
Ramona
September 24th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Your dish looks tasty, belated Happy Birthday. Jane x
September 24th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Yes, I do agree, it looks delicious daaaaahling!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Yes, I do agree, it looks delicious daaaaahling!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Wow, I adore casseroles, and low fat and calorie, I am IN!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:26 am
ohhhhhh, this looks like heaven. I’m just in it for the melted cheese! I definitely have to make this.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Ah, this dish is really thrilling: it must be very tasty!
September 24th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Oh, that looks DELISH! I love anything with cheese…seriously, anything.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!♥
Hope you’re having a great day!
September 24th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Freaking amazing, mouth-watering dish! I LOVE it! I want to be a Texan girl now!!
September 24th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Yummo! That looks so good, I will definitely be testing that recipe out! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
September 24th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Why haven’t you adopted me yet? Maaamaaaa!!! I’m going to have to go to the ding dang grocery store now to get some peppers and Rotel. Ugh. You always make me want to eat. LOL!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
That looks really yummy!!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I haven’t been able to get my comments to post for the past 2 days, so I hope this works! Chicken is always a light meal, even smothered in cream and cheese and luscious stuff, because it’s a light meat. Great casserole. Hope your weather stays cool!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
this sounds so good! Perfect for a football Sunday. Rotel rocks!
September 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
I refer to food like that as a car crash.. looks wild, but everybody gets a rush, and lives!
September 24th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
This looks frabulous! Great chilly day food! Did I mention that it is National Cheese Week here in England?
I love cheese!
Big Hugs.
September 24th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
mmmm… that sounds all too yummmm! This is a super cute blog. I love it, and I loved your post. What a fun way to throw down a recipe!
September 24th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Wow, onyl 329 cals per serving? That is brilliant! :O It looks so gooey and cheesy too!
September 24th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Doesn’t this look gooey and fattening? And it’s only 329 calories? Lead me to it!
September 24th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
That looks way to rich, thick, and delicious to be 329 calories per serving!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Question: cooked chicken breasts or raw? That’s a pretty good calorie count for mexican food!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
YUMMY!
September 24th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
This looks *so darn good* Miss Duck, I am copying it and printing it out. The Spousal Unit absolutely loves casseroles, and this one is perfect! Thank you!
tp
September 24th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Oooh!! Thanks for sharing this recipe. It looks like something I would LOVE! I heart casseroles! When I was learning to cook, I turned almost everything into some sort of casserole. They’ve always been one of my favorite things. There’s nothing like a meal in a dish!
September 24th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
YUM! I think this needs to be dinner tomorrow.
September 24th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
This sounds yummy. I am always interested in a spicy dish!
September 24th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
That looks AMAZINGLY YUMMY!!!
September 24th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Mmm….you had me at cheesy! Looks delicious.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Yummee! Thanks for sharing this one!
September 24th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
MMMMMM,…the oven recipe looks really tasty!!
What isa can of Rotel? ????
September 25th, 2009 at 5:04 am
yum – my husband would love this!
September 25th, 2009 at 5:11 am
This looks outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the tortillas peaking out on the top!!!!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:14 am
glorious! i make something similar to this, but there’re a lot more beans and tomatoes and peppers involved. meanwhile, i haven’t forgotten about the list of questions, i promise!
September 25th, 2009 at 6:30 am
This looks amazing!! Such delicious comfort food!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:45 am
that looks scrumptious dahling!
September 25th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Mmmmmm this looks so delicious! I guess growing up in the mid-west you learn to love, and spot, a good casserole:)
September 25th, 2009 at 8:24 am
oh I think I have dinner tonight – me and hubbie will love this – now I have to think of something else for my picky children
September 25th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Casseroles are the best! and this one looks and sounds awesome!
September 25th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Please!!!
Put translator!!
Kissess
September 25th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I love me some good ol’ Texas cooking. 90% of the reason I moved here. No joke.
OK, so, I didn’t e-mail you regarding being writing buddies–but, I will! I have a fun new story idea I want to tell you about.
Have a great weekend!
September 25th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
This is the same thing as King Ranch Chicken, right? I could eat my body weight in this stuff. Fabulous to see it in this healthier incarnation!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Gotta love an authentic Texan recipe!
September 25th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I love a good story about a southern lady and YUM to that recipe!
September 25th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Sounds fabulous Duckie, absolutely fabulous. Wish we could get rotel here. We can’t even get roasted green chili peppers, at least not that I can find! Boo hoo!!
September 26th, 2009 at 3:43 am
Yum!
September 26th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
this dish sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing:)
September 29th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Holy moley! This looks awesome, Duckie! I’m grabbing my car keys and driving down to Texas to eat this. I’m bookmarking this to make. I love recipes like this! YUM!