Original King Ranch Chicken

I've been making this for years - it's a family favorite and is classified as Tex-Mex. There are many variations of the original recipe - I've also tried to include some of those variations or options in my recipe. Although, I, personally, believe the original is the best.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 (10 3/4ounce) can  cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10 3/4ounce) can  cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes (with green chilies)
• 1  cup chicken broth (or more, to taste)
• 1⁄2 cup onion
• 1⁄2 cup green pepper
• 16  ounces monterey jack cheese
• 1  whole chicken
• 12  corn tortillas (or flour, your preference)
•  tortilla chips (optional choice for variation)
•  noodles (optional choice for variation)

Directions

1. 1. Boil chicken, remove meat from skin and bones. (save broth).
2. 2. Sometimes I will use 6-8 chicken breasts instead of whole chicken when I'm in a hurry.
3. 3. Saute onions and green pepper.
4. 4. Mix with soups, tomatoes, cubed chicken, and chicken broth.
5. 5. Line bottom of Pyrex casserole with six corn tortillas.
6. 6. Add 1/2 of chicken/soup mixture; spread over tortillas. Sprinkle grated cheese over mixture.
7. 7. Then make another layer of six tortillas, chicken/soup mixture, and cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 250-300 F 1 hour until cheese is bubbly.
8. 8. Please note that you can make this recipe much lower in fat by using the fat free soups and fat free chicken broth. It turns out just as tasty.
9. 9. I've also substituted Cheddar Cheese, as well as Lite Velveeta in place of the Monterey Jack cheese and it was all good.
10. 10. The original recipe uses corn tortillas, although some people prefer the flour. I believe the corn gives it a better flavor myself. For variety, you can also omit the tortillas and use tortilla chips, or even noodles/pasta, in their place. At one time or another, I've tried every variation - they are all good, although I am partial to the corn tortillas.
11. 11. Adding a can of black beans or corn, also takes it to another level and adding a few slicked black olives and a dollop of sour cream before serving makes a nice presentation.