Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
I love making Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole when I need a dinner that feels truly special and feeds a hungry crowd without a lot of stress. The filling is thick and creamy with shredded chicken, cream cheese, sour cream, sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, and crispy bacon all baked together beautifully, and the buttery Ritz cracker topping comes out golden and crunchy in the most irresistible way. I make it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, potlucks, and family dinners because it always impresses everyone at the table. Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven to keep that cracker topping golden and crispy.
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 your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- 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
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with the melted butter until well coated. Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the casserole.2 sleeves Ritz crackers, ½ cup butter
- Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.Fresh parsley
Notes
Here are a few things I've learned from making Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole that'll help you get the best results every time.
Soften the cream cheese fully: Pull the cream cheese out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start mixing. Cold cream cheese won't blend smoothly, and you'll end up with lumps in the filling.
Use rotisserie chicken to save time: Shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly here and cuts down your prep significantly. Just pull it apart by hand, and it'll fold right into the creamy base without any extra cooking.
Caramelize the onions low and slow: Don't rush the caramelized onions if you're making them from scratch. Cooking them over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes brings out the deep, sweet flavor that gives this casserole its signature richness.
Crush the Ritz crackers coarsely: Aim for a rough, uneven crumble rather than fine crumbs. A chunkier topping bakes up with more texture and gives you that satisfying crunch on top.
Check for doneness at 25 minutes: Ovens vary, so start checking the casserole at the 25-minute mark. You're looking for a golden top and bubbling edges. Pull it out as soon as it hits that point to avoid drying out the filling.
Store properly: Once cooled, cover the dish tightly or transfer the portions to airtight containers. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through and the topping crisps back up.
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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