Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
Honestly, nothing in my regular rotation beats Air Fryer Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole when I need something creamy, cheesy, and comforting on a busy night. The filling is packed with shredded chicken, cheddar, caramelized onions, sour cream, and bacon, all topped with a buttery crushed Ritz cracker crust that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. I make it for weeknight dinners, potlucks, and family get-togethers because it's done fast and always disappears even faster. If you somehow end up with leftovers, store them covered in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the air fryer to get that crust crispy again.
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
Here are a few things I've learned from making this casserole that'll help yours come out perfectly every time.
- 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
Calories: 849kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 37gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 34gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 826mgPotassium: 417mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1715IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 372mgIron: 1mg
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