Easy & Beloved Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole (A Cozy Classic!)
This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is a magical recipe that tastes like home. It's incredibly easy, unbelievably quick, and the result is pure, creamy, cheesy, crunchy, satisfying deliciousness that everyone devours. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or just a cozy meal.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch casserole dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Smaller bowl
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie chicken works well, or use leftover chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken soup 10.5 ounce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese sharp or mild
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1.5 tsp hot sauce such as Tabasco®, or to taste
- 1 sleeve buttery crackers such as Ritz® crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup butter melted
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it's heating up, lightly grease your favorite casserole dish. A 9x13 inch dish works perfectly.
- Step 2: In a big mixing bowl, toss in that shredded chicken, the can of cream of chicken soup, the sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, slivered almonds, and the crumbled bacon. Now for that little secret weapon – the hot sauce! Add it in. Gently stir everything together until it's all nicely combined. You want all those yummy ingredients distributed throughout the creamy mixture.
- Step 3: Scoop that glorious chicken mixture into your prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Step 4: In a separate, smaller bowl, take those crushed buttery crackers and pour the melted butter over them. Stir gently with a fork until all the cracker crumbs are coated in that lovely butter. Now, sprinkle this buttery crumb mixture evenly over the top of the chicken mixture in the casserole dish. This is where the magic crunch comes from!
- Step 5: Pop the dish into your preheated oven. Let it bake for about 25-30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the edges are bubbly and the buttery cracker topping is golden brown and looks absolutely irresistible.
- Step 6: I know it's tempting to dive right in, but let it cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps it set up just a little bit and prevents you from burning your tongue in your excitement!
Notes
Substitutions & Additions: You can use canned chicken or boil/shred chicken breasts. Cream of mushroom or celery soup can substitute cream of chicken. Any melting cheese (Monterey Jack, Colby, blend) works. Try crushed cornflakes, panko, or fried onions for the topping. Sneak in cooked veggies like broccoli or peas. Add cayenne pepper for more heat.
Tips for Success: Don't stir the cracker topping into the mixture. Distribute the topping evenly. Cook bacon until crispy. You can prep the chicken mixture up to a day ahead; add topping just before baking.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger amounts covered loosely with foil in a 325°F (160°C) oven. Freezing the mixture without the topping works best; thaw and add fresh topping before baking.