Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

"Aunty this tastes like the fanciest chicken dinner ever but it's in a casserole dish and the crunchy topping makes it so good I want to eat the whole pan!" Anna practically shouted last Sunday afternoon when the incredible aroma of buttery Ritz crackers baking mixed with rich cream sauce and tender chicken filled our kitchen creating that intoxicating smell that makes everyone ask what time dinner will be ready. "The creamy sauce is so rich and every bite has crunchy crackers on top!" she added with her mouth full of tender Neiman Marcus chicken casserole while reaching for another helping before I could even finish serving everyone else.

This happened after I found an old recipe card at an estate sale claiming to be from the famous Neiman Marcus department store. Three test batches later we perfected this luxurious casserole that tastes expensive but uses simple ingredients.

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Why You Will Love This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into elegant comfort food. The rich cream sauce combines sour cream with cream of chicken soup creating velvety texture. Shredded chicken and cheese meld throughout. Buttery Ritz cracker topping adds irresistible crunch contrasting beautifully with creamy filling.

Anna loves that this Neiman Marcus chicken casserole tastes fancy but she can still eat it with a fork. I love that it uses rotisserie chicken making prep incredibly quick. The golden cracker topping makes it look like something from an upscale restaurant.

This delivers comfort food elegance perfect for company. Kids enjoy the mild creamy flavors and crunchy topping. Adults appreciate sophisticated richness making this ideal for potlucks or family gatherings where you want to impress.

Background: When We Make This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole shines during holidays when we need impressive side dish or main course. Fall and winter benefit from this warming comfort. We serve this when guests visit because the presentation looks elegant while feeding crowds easily.

Anna requests this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole for special Sunday dinners. During busy weeks this becomes our go to using leftover chicken. The 50 minute timeline works perfectly when we want something special without all day cooking.

Church potlucks feature this casserole as star attraction. Several friends requested the recipe saying it reminds them of expensive restaurant dishes. This works beautifully for bridal showers or baby showers needing elegant but easy food.

How To Make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Quick Overview

Mix shredded chicken with cream sauce made from sour cream, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, and seasonings. Fold in shredded cheese creating rich filling. Spread in baking dish then top with crushed Ritz crackers mixed with melted butter. Bake until golden brown and bubbly creating restaurant quality presentation.

Ingredients For This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

For The Casserole:

• Cooked chicken breast
• Sour cream
• Cream of chicken soup
• Mayonnaise
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Chicken broth
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Fresh parsley

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For The Topping:

• Ritz crackers
• Butter
• Fresh parsley

Aunty's Ingredient Notes:
Anna insists we use real mayonnaise because it makes this Neiman Marcus chicken casserole richer. I learned that crushing Ritz crackers into varied sizes creates better texture. Fresh parsley adds color. Anna loves helping crush crackers saying it feels like a fun science experiment.

Instructions For Making Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Preparing The Creamy Filling

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 9x13 inch baking dish. In large bowl combine sour cream, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, and chicken broth whisking until smooth. The mixture should look creamy without lumps.

Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper whisking to incorporate seasonings. Stir in shredded cheddar and mozzarella mixing until cheese distributes throughout. Anna loves watching cheese disappear into creamy mixture for this Neiman Marcus chicken casserole.

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Adding The Chicken

Fold in shredded cooked chicken stirring gently until chicken pieces coat completely with cream sauce. Make sure every piece gets covered. Taste the filling adjusting salt and pepper.

Anna always sneaks a taste calling it quality control. The filling should taste rich and slightly salty. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish spreading evenly.

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Making The Buttery Cracker Topping

Place Ritz crackers in large zip top bag and crush with rolling pin or your hands. Anna loves this step smashing crackers into varied sizes. The varied texture creates better crunch.

Pour crushed crackers into bowl and drizzle with melted butter tossing with fork until all crumbs coat. The crackers should look glistening. Spread buttered crackers evenly over chicken mixture creating complete coverage.

Baking To Golden Perfection

Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until casserole bubbles around edges and cracker topping turns deep golden brown. The kitchen will smell amazing. Do not cover with foil because that steams crackers.

Anna watches through oven window during final 10 minutes. The crackers should look toasted and golden. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes allowing sauce to thicken for this Neiman Marcus chicken casserole.

Serving Like A Pro

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley adding bright green color against golden brown topping. Scoop generous portions ensuring each serving gets plenty of crunchy topping with creamy filling. The contrast of textures makes every bite perfect.

Serve with simple sides letting this rich casserole shine. Anna loves when her spoon breaks through crunchy topping into creamy chicken underneath. This combination creates irresistible texture.

Substitutions For Different Dietary Needs

For lighter versions use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light mayonnaise. Ground turkey can replace chicken. For vegetarian use plant based chicken or extra vegetables like broccoli.

For gluten free use gluten free crackers for topping. For dairy free use dairy free sour cream and skip cheese.

Different proteins work beautifully. Leftover turkey, ham, or tuna create delicious variations. Adding vegetables like peas or water chestnuts boosts nutrition.

Variations To Try With This Recipe

With Rice: Mix cooked white or wild rice into filling. Perfect for feeding crowds.

Buffalo Style: Add hot sauce and top with blue cheese. Use ranch dressing instead of mayo.

Broccoli Addition: Fold in steamed broccoli florets. Adds color and nutrition.

Italian Style: Use Italian seasoning and sun dried tomatoes. Top with panko and parmesan.

Slow Cooker: Mix everything except crackers in slow cooker. Cook low 4 hours then top with crackers and broil.

Equipment You Will Need

You need one 9x13 inch baking dish. A large mixing bowl combines ingredients. A whisk blends sauce. A zip top bag crushes crackers. A fork tosses butter. Measuring cups ensure proper proportions.

Storing Your Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Refrigerator Storage

Store leftover casserole covered in refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cracker topping will soften but still tastes good. Reheat in microwave or 350°F oven for 20 minutes.

Freezer Storage

Freeze assembled unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Cover tightly with plastic then foil. Thaw overnight before baking. Add 10 extra minutes if cold.

Reheating Instructions

Reheat in 350°F oven covered 15 minutes then uncover 5 more minutes. Microwave works for individual portions. Add fresh crackers before serving for extra crunch.

Make Ahead Tips

Assemble completely up to 24 hours ahead refrigerating covered. Add cracker topping just before baking. Make filling up to 3 days ahead storing separately from crackers.

FAQs About Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Luxury Comfort On Your Table

This Neiman Marcus chicken casserole brings upscale flavor to your table without complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. Anna's excitement every time proves that simple recipes executed well create the best memories. The golden cracker topping combined with creamy filling makes everyone happy.

Try our Lemon Chicken Romano, French Onion Ground Beef and Rice Casserole, or Chicken Pillows for more amazing comfort food dinners your family will absolutely love and request repeatedly.

Come make this tonight. Your family will think you spent hours creating this elegant dish when really it takes just minutes to assemble. Happy cooking from our kitchen to yours!

Recipe by: Aunty Emma
Family Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 - Anna approved!)
Best Season: Year round, especially fall and winter
Kid Approved: Yes! Anna gives it two thumbs up

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Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Rich and creamy Neiman Marcus chicken casserole featuring tender shredded chicken in luxurious sour cream and cream of chicken soup sauce mixed with cheddar and mozzarella cheese then topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers baked until golden brown. This elegant comfort food comes together in 50 minutes creating restaurant quality dinner perfect for entertaining or family meals.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 445

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups cooked chicken breast Shredded, rotisserie works great
• 1 cup sour cream Full fat
• 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 oz
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise Real mayo preferred
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup cheddar cheese Shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese Shredded
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt Plus more to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cups Ritz crackers Crushed, about 1 sleeve
• 0.5 cup butter Melted
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley Chopped for garnish

Equipment

• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Zip top bag
• Rolling Pin
• Fork
• Measuring cups and spoons

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F grease 9x13 inch baking dish
2. In large bowl whisk together sour cream cream of chicken soup mayonnaise chicken broth until smooth
3. Whisk in garlic powder onion powder salt pepper
4. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese mixing until distributed
5. Fold in shredded chicken stirring until completely coated taste and adjust seasoning
6. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish spreading evenly to edges
7. Place Ritz crackers in zip top bag crush into varied sizes from fine crumbs to larger chunks
8. Pour crushed crackers into bowl drizzle with melted butter toss until all crumbs coat with butter
9. Spread buttered crackers evenly over chicken mixture creating complete coverage
10. Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes until bubbling and golden brown
11. Let rest 5 minutes garnish with fresh parsley serve hot

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.