King's Ranch Casserole

Adapted from Cook's Country Best Potluck Recipes

King Ranch Casserole

Serves 6 to 8

If you can't find Ro-Tel tomatoes, substitute one 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes and one 4-ounce can chopped green chiles. Cojack is a creamy blend of Colby and Monterey Jack cheeses. We like its tangy flavor, but milder Jack cheese can be used in its place.

INGREDIENTS

• 12(6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2medium onions, chopped fine
• 2jalapeño chiles, minced
• 2teaspoons ground cumin
• 2(10-ounce) cans Ro-Tel tomatoes (I used one can of hot and one can of mild)
• 5tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1cup heavy cream
• 3cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 4cups Cojack cheese (see note)
•  Salt and pepper
• 2 1/4cups Fritos, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 450 degrees. Lay tortillas on two baking sheets, lightly coat both sides with cooking spray, and bake until slightly crisp and browned, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly, then break into bite-sized pieces. Using potholders, adjust top oven rack to middle position.
• 2. Heat butter in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook onions, chiles, and cumin until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until most of liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add cream and broth, bring to simmer, and cook until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chicken and poach until just no longer pink, about 10 minutes (try to use small evenly-sized pieces and don't cook too long because they will continue to cook in the oven. Remove chicken to a plate, cool, and shed with a fork. Off heat, add cilantro and cheese and stir until cheese is melted. Add shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper.
• 3. Scatter half of tortilla pieces in 13 by 9-inch baking dish set over rimmed baking sheet. Spoon half of filling evenly over tortillas. Scatter remaining tortillas over filling, then top with remaining filling.
• 4. Bake until filling is bubbling, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle Fritos evenly over top and bake until Fritos are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool casserole 10 minutes. Serve.
• Make Ahead: The casserole can be assembled through step 3 and refrigerated for up to 1 day. When ready to serve, cover casserole with foil and bake until filling is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove foil, top with Fritos, and proceed with rest of step 4 as directed.
  A TASTE OF TEXAS
  
  Carl Roettele opened a small canning plant in Elsa, Texas, in the early 1940s. By the 1950s, his blend of tomatoes, green chiles, and spices had become popular throughout the state and beyond. His spicy, tangy tomatoes are used in countless local recipes, including King Ranch casserole and a mixture of Velveeta and Ro-Tel tomatoes known locally as Ro-Tel dip (chile con queso, to the rest of the country).