Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is an easy baked chicken casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting family dinner without a lot of fuss. Tender chicken is baked in a creamy sauce with crispy bacon, sliced green onions, crunchy almonds, and just a splash of hot sauce to balance the richness. A buttery cracker topping bakes up golden and crisp, giving every bite the perfect combination of creamy, savory, smoky, and crunchy textures. It’s a simple one-dish meal that’s easy enough for weeknights but delicious enough to earn a spot in your regular dinner rotation.
I feel like casseroles can sometimes get a 1980’s bad wrap for being mushy and bland. But when flavors can be layered and textures varied, like they are in this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole, I can fully get behind this new casserole era! I also love that I can pull this recipe together in minutes which saves me on our busy weeknights that are filled with practices, rehearsals, car pooling and homework. My hungry family has it devoured in minutes, while I can only hope to have leftovers to enjoy the next day for lunch!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Creamy & comforting – This casserole is the ultimate comfort food. Creamy, filling and delicious! It’s crowd-pleasing by both kids and adults.
- Easy to assemble – Mix all of the simple ingredients into a large bowl, top with crushed crackers and bake. There’s nothing complicated about this dish!
- Can be prepared in advance – This is a wonderful recipe to prepare in advance. You can either prepare and leave in fridge for 1-3 days before baking or you can freeze and then reheat at a future date.
- Crowd-pleasing – This recipe is great for family dinners, potlucks, holiday guests or lady’s lunch.
What is Neiman Marcus Casserole?
This chicken casserole is believed to be one of the recipes associated with the luxury department store, Neiman Marcus. The casserole’s combination of chicken, cheese, bacon, almonds, sour cream and buttery cracker topping reflects the kind of comforting, yet decadent dishes often associated with the department store’s cafes and restaurants. It may not be the exact same recipe, but it’s linked to the brand through tradition and popular recipe exchanges.
Recipe Notes
This easy chicken casserole recipe is as simple as promised! Just 10 minutes to assemble these simple ingredients, then bake for a family friendly comforting meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Shredded chicken – Store-bought rotisserie is always my go-to when I need cooked chicken for a recipe. You can also use any flavor-less leftover chicken or even turkey.
- Cream of chicken soup
- Sour cream – Greek yogurt can be used as as partial or full substitute to increase the protein and lower the fat.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – You can shred your own or grab a bag of pre-shredded.
- Green onions– Sliced. I reserve a few for garnishing on top of the cooked casserole.
- Slivered almonds – Slivered almonds are traditional to this dish, but you can also use any cut of almond you have on hand.
- Bacon – You can use turkey bacon to lighten the dish a bit.
- Hot sauce – Choose your favorite brand or whatever you might have on hand.
- Ritz crackers
- Butter – melted
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Change the cheese– Try different cheeses for a different flavor profile. Pepper jack for a little heat, smoked gouda, colby jack or sharp white cheddar are all great options.
- Spicy casserole– If your family enjoys heat, make it a little spicier. You could add diced jalapeños, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the filling or simply add a bit more hot sauce.
- Crunchy chicken casserole– There are several options to add a bit more crunch and texture to your casserole. You could simply add extra slivered almonds or chopped pecans to the filling, or top with crushed potato chips or french fried onions.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole.
Crush crackers in a zip top bag.
Add melted butter and combine.
In a large mixing bowl, add chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions, almonds, bacon and hot sauce.
Mix to combine and transfer to a casserole dish.
Cover casserole with the buttery Ritz cracker topping and bake for 25-30 minutes at 375°
Top with extra sliced green onions
Recipe Tips
- Crisp the bacon – Crispy bacon gives the best texture contrast. If it’s too soft, it can get lost in the creamy filling.
- Freshly shredded cheese – Take the few minutes to shred the cheese yourself, if possible. Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly than bagged, pre-shredded cheese.
- Maybe cover – If the cracker topping is browning too fast, but the filling isn’t heated through yet, loosely cover the casserole dish with foil.
- Let it rest – Allow the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps it to set up and makes serving easier.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use rotisserie chicken – This is the biggest time-saver. Simply shred store-bought rotisserie chicken, instead of taking the time to bake chicken on your own.
- Pre-cooked bacon – Many grocery stores sell pre-cooked bacon that can be easily chopped and added to this recipe. It won’t be as crispy as freshly-cooked bacon, but it works perfectly when you’re short on time.
- Mix in baking dish – Instead of dirtying a mixing bowl, simply mix all of the filling ingredients in the casserole dish. If you crush the crackers in a zip top bag, you’ll only be cleaning a single dish at the end of the meal!
- Make in advance – Assemble the casserole, minus the topping, 1-3 days in advance, cover and refrigerate. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply add the buttery, crushed cracker topping and bake.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this Neiman Marcus Casserole recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Assemble the casserole and spread in casserole dish. Leave off the crushed cracker topping as it will become soggy during storage.
- Cover the casserole tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then foil and freeze.
- Before cooking, allow to thaw 24 hours in the fridge. Add the crushed crackers to the top of the casserole, then bake until warmed through.
How to Freeze Chicken Casserole After Cooking
- Allow casserole to cool completely.
- Place in freezer safe container and freeze.
- When ready to enjoy, remove from freezer and slowly warm in oven.
What to Serve with Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of rich and savory chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite lighter side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
Chicken Casserole Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to a month
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Stuffed Baked Potatoes– Warm the casserole and spoon it over a baked potato. Top with extra bacon, shredded cheese and sliced green onions.
- Easy Chicken Pot Pie– Use the leftover casserole as an easy chicken pot pie filling. Stir in frozen mixed vegetables and serve in a pie dish between two refrigerated pie crusts. Or place filling directly into pie dish and top with Cheddar Bay Biscuits. See this easy recipe for inspiration.
- Crescent Roll Bake– Wrap spoonfuls of leftover casserole in crescent rolls for easy handheld pockets.
- Sliders– Serve warm casserole on slider buns with extra cheese for an easy lunch option.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I cook this casserole too long?
Yes. You only need to cook Neiman Marcus casserole until it’s warmed through. Since the chicken is already cooked, there’s no need to worry about cooking completion time or temperature. If you cook too long, it can become dry. Cook 30 minutes, until hot and bubbling.
Why is my casserole runny?
There are two likely reasons for your casserole to be runny after cooking. The first is that you didn’t allow it to rest after baking. Letting it sit for 5-10 minutes will help it to set and thicken up. Another possibility is that you substituted low-fat dairy products, such as the cheese or sour cream.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! You can either bake it in two 9×13 inch dishes or one large disposable catering pan. If you use the larger pan, you’ll need to increase the cooking time. Another option for using two 9×13 inch dishes is to cook one now and freeze the other for a future date!
More EASY Casserole Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy casserole recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Mexican Street Corn Casserole
Neiman Marcus Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded chicken, (I use rotisserie)
- 10.5 ounce can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped crispy bacon
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 sleeve ritz crackers
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
- In a large bowl, add chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, green onions (I save a few for garnish,) almonds, bacon and hot sauce. Mix until combined.
- Prepare the ritz crumb topping by crushing the crackers and combining them with melted butter. I like to do this in a zip top bag for ease, but you can also crush and mix in a bowl to reduce single use plastic.
- Transfer the chicken mixture to a 2 quart casserole dish and cover with with the ritz cracker crumbs.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are bubbly and cracker topping is golden.
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