Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole (Print Version)

Creamy chicken, cheddar, peppers, and tortillas baked for classic Texan comfort with a hint of spice.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
03 - 1 medium green pepper, finely chopped
04 - 1 medium sweet red pepper, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon canola oil
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - 3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
08 - 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
09 - 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
10 - 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
11 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
12 - 12 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1-inch strips
13 - 2 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

# Steps:

01 - In a large skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, green pepper, and sweet red pepper. Cook and stir until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
02 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked vegetables, cubed chicken, cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, diced tomatoes with green chiles, and chili powder. Mix thoroughly.
04 - Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 13x9-inch (33x23 cm) baking dish.
05 - Layer one-third of the tortilla strips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread one-third of the chicken mixture over the tortilla strips, followed by one-third of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat the layers two more times, ending with cheese on top.
06 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with optional jalapeno slices for added heat, if desired.

# Helpful Notes:

01 - This casserole freezes well. To freeze, assemble as instructed but do not bake. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 180°C (350°F) for about 50-60 minutes, or until heated through.