Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is rich, creamy, and irresistibly comforting, made with chicken, a velvety cream cheese base, cheddar, and a buttery cracker topping that bakes golden and crisp. A cozy, crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or whenever you need something easy and satisfying.
Servings: 8
Calories: 740kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 3 green onions thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish)
- 1½ cups crushed buttery crackers like Ritz
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large bowl, beat together 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, and 1 cup mayonnaise until smooth and creamy. Stir in 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Fold in 3 cups cooked chicken, 1½ cups shredded cheddar, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup slivered almonds, and 3 sliced green onions until evenly combined.
- In a small bowl, combine 1½ cups crushed crackers with 4 tablespoons melted butter; mix until evenly moistened.
- Spread the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over top.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup cheddar, and bake another 5 minutes until melted. Garnish with parsley and a few extra green onions before serving.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese: It blends smoothly and gives the casserole its signature creamy texture.
- Rotisserie chicken works best: It adds great flavor and saves time, but any cooked chicken will do.
- Don’t skip the cracker topping: The creamy filling needs that crunchy contrast. Ritz-style crackers give the best buttery finish.
- Bake until bubbly: The edges should be actively bubbling and the topping golden. That’s when the center is hot and perfect.
- To make ahead: Assemble the casserole without the topping, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then add the crackers and bake.
- Freezing tip: Freeze before baking for the best texture. Thaw overnight, add topping, and bake as directed.
- Optional add-ins: Peas, mushrooms, or steamed broccoli fold in easily without watering down the sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 980mg | Potassium: 323mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1282IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 379mg | Iron: 2mg
