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Whenever I bring Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole to the table, that golden, buttery Ritz cracker crust gets everyone leaning in for a closer look. Underneath is a creamy, savory filling packed with sharp cheddar, bacon, and caramelized onions that taste like they’ve been slow-cooking for hours. It’s the kind of casserole nobody takes just one scoop of.
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I make this for potlucks, Sunday dinners, and holiday gatherings because it feeds a crowd beautifully, travels well in the dish, and always gets completely cleaned out before anything else on the table. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer until hot and bubbly again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Let me walk you through every step so yours comes out perfectly golden and creamy every time.
Preheat Your Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Preheating is worth that extra few minutes because it helps the casserole cook evenly from the start and gives that Ritz topping the best chance at a golden, crispy finish.
Make the Creamy Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. I always use a hand mixer for this step to make sure everything blends seamlessly.
Mix until smooth and completely creamy, with no lumps.
Build the Filling
Stir in the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, green onions, and crumbled bacon. If you’re shredding your own chicken, meat shredder claws make the job so much faster and easier before everything goes into the bowl.
Mix until everything is evenly distributed throughout the filling.
Prep Your Baking Dish
Lightly grease an air fryer-safe baking dish that fits your basket, then spread the chicken mixture evenly into it. I like using my ceramic baking dish, which fits snugly in your basket, for the best results.
Make sure the layer is as even as possible so the casserole heats through evenly.
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
Add the Ritz Topping
Mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until every crumb is coated, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the top. The buttery cracker layer is what makes this casserole so recognizable, so don’t rush it.
Air Fry the Casserole
Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is heated through. I always use a basket-style air fryer for this because it fits a small baking dish perfectly and circulates heat evenly around the casserole.
Keep an eye on it toward the end of the cook time. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil to protect the crust while the filling finishes heating.
Serve
Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm straight from the dish.
Taking this to a potluck or gathering? Cover the dish tightly with foil and tuck it into an insulated casserole carrier to keep it warm for up to an hour on the way there.
Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast shredded
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup green onions sliced
- ½ cup caramelized onions
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers crushed
- ½ cup butter melted
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.8 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper
- Stir in the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, green onions, and bacon. Mix until everything is evenly combined.3 cups cooked chicken breast, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup green onions, ½ cup caramelized onions, 6 slices bacon
- Lightly grease an air fryer-safe baking dish that fits your basket. Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the dish.
- Mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter, then sprinkle evenly over the top.2 sleeves Ritz crackers, ½ cup butter
- Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 15–18 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is heated through.
- If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
- Carefully remove the dish and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.Fresh parsley
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese fully: Cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly into the filling, so take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start.
- Crush the crackers to a medium crumb: You want a mix of fine crumbs and small chunks so the topping has both coverage and texture. A zip-top bag and a rolling pin work perfectly.
- Don’t skip coating the crackers in butter: Every crumb needs to be coated in the melted butter before it goes on top. Dry spots won’t crisp up the same way.
- Watch the topping at the 15-minute mark: Air fryers vary, so start checking early. If the crust is golden but the filling needs more time, loosely cover with foil and cook for the remaining time.
- Rest before serving: Letting the casserole sit for 5 minutes after cooking helps the filling set slightly so it scoops cleanly and doesn’t run all over the plate.
- Flash freeze for meal prep: If you’re freezing individual portions, spread them on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag or container. They won’t stick together, and you can grab exactly what you need.
Nutrition
DO MORE WITH YOUR
AIR FRYER
This eBook is a collection of 86 recipes I make again and again in my own kitchen. If you love good food and easy instructions, this book was made for you.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Cheesy Egg Bites
∙ Broccoli Cheddar Soup
∙ Asparagus Casserole
∙ Walking Taco Casserole
∙ Chocolate Cake Cookies
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Let the casserole cool completely before storing. Transfer leftovers to an airtight glass storage container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The filling stays creamy and the flavors actually deepen overnight, making leftovers taste even better the next day.
To reheat, loosely cover with foil and warm in the air fryer at 300°F for 8 to 10 minutes. To freeze, portion the casserole into individual servings, wrap each tightly, and place them in a freezer-safe container.
Frozen portions keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating so the texture stays creamy and the topping crisps back up nicely.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great contrast to the richness of the casserole, and roasted or steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus round out the plate really nicely.
For drinks, a cold glass of iced tea or sparkling lemonade keeps things light and refreshing alongside something this warm and savory. If you’re serving it at a gathering, setting out a simple veggie tray on the side makes it feel like a full spread without much extra effort.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more easy air fryer casserole recipes you’ll want to make next!
