There’s something magical about a casserole that hits all the right notes—creamy, comforting, and with that irresistible crispy topping that makes you go back for seconds (and thirds!). That’s exactly what you get with this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole, a recipe I’ve been making for years whenever I need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. My family requests it at every potluck, and my neighbor still talks about the time I brought it over when she was recovering from surgery. It’s the kind of dish that feels fancy enough for company but comes together with pantry staples—perfect for when you want comfort food without the fuss. The secret’s in that golden Ritz cracker topping that crackles under your fork, giving way to the rich, velvety chicken filling beneath. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll become your go-to recipe too!

Why You’ll Love This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Oh, where do I even start with why this casserole is a total winner? Here’s the thing—it’s not just another chicken bake. It’s the ultimate comfort food with personality. Let me break it down for you:

Creamy dreaminess: That mix of sour cream, mayo, and cheese creates a velvety sauce that coats every bite of tender chicken. It’s like a hug in food form.
Crispy magic: The buttery Ritz cracker topping? Absolute game-changer. It stays crisp even after baking, giving you that perfect crunch with every forkful.
Weeknight hero: You can throw this together in 15 minutes flat. Rotisserie chicken makes it even faster—my little secret for crazy-busy days.
Crowd magnet: I’ve served this to picky kids, fancy foodies, and everyone in between. Zero leftovers every single time.
Leftover wizard: It reheats beautifully—just pop it back in the oven to revive that crispy top. Tastes even better the next day, if it lasts that long!

Seriously, this is the kind of recipe that’ll have people begging you for the “secret.” (Spoiler: It’s all in that golden, crackly topping!)

Ingredients for Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and I mean exactly what you’ll need to make this casserole sing. No vague “a pinch of this” or “some of that” here. After making this dozens of times, I’ve learned every ingredient plays a specific role in creating that perfect creamy-crispy balance. Here’s your shopping list:

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded – Rotisserie chicken works wonders here (my weeknight shortcut!), but leftover baked chicken breasts work great too. Just make sure it’s well-shredded so every bite gets that tender chicken goodness.
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup – Don’t dilute it! That condensed soup is the flavor backbone. I like the classic Campbell’s, but any brand will do.
1 cup sour cream – Full-fat gives the richest texture, but light works in a pinch. Just don’t skip it – this is what makes the sauce so luxuriously creamy.
1/2 cup mayonnaise – The secret ingredient that adds depth. Use real mayo (none of that salad dressing stuff) for best results.
1/2 cup chicken broth – Low-sodium lets you control the saltiness. I keep those little cartons in my pantry just for recipes like this.
1/2 cup chopped onion – Yellow or white onions both work beautifully. Chop them fine so they soften perfectly while baking.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor punch. Pre-shredded works, but freshly grated melts smoother.
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed – About 35 crackers. Crush them coarsely – you want some bigger pieces for that amazing texture contrast.
1/4 cup melted butter – Unsalted is my preference since the crackers are already salty. This transforms those Ritz into golden, crispy magic.

See? Nothing too fancy – just good, honest ingredients that come together in the most delicious way. Now let’s get cooking!

How to Make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Alright, let’s get down to business! Making this casserole is seriously easy, but I’ve got some little tricks that’ll take it from good to “oh-my-goodness” amazing. Follow these steps, and you’ll have golden, bubbly comfort food perfection in no time.

Step 1: Prep the Chicken Mixture

First things first – grab your biggest mixing bowl. I’m talking the one you usually reserve for cookie dough or potato salad. Toss in your shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayo, chicken broth, chopped onions, and that glorious cheddar cheese. Now here’s my secret: use a rubber spatula to gently fold everything together until it’s completely combined. You want it creamy but not overmixed – think thick, velvety sauce coating every bit of chicken. Taste it (I always do!) and add a pinch of black pepper if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 2: Assemble the Casserole

Grease your baking dish really well – I use a 9×13 inch pan, but anything similar works. Pour that luscious chicken mixture in and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon. Pro tip: give the dish a little tap-tap on the counter to settle everything nicely. You want an even layer so every serving gets equal amounts of that creamy goodness.

Step 3: Add the Crispy Topping

Now for the best part! Take your crushed Ritz crackers and drizzle the melted butter over them. Use your fingers to mix it all up – you’ll feel when it’s right, like damp sand that holds together when you squeeze it. Sprinkle this heavenly mixture evenly over your chicken layer. Don’t press it down! Those loose crumbs will bake up extra crispy. I like to leave some bigger cracker pieces for texture contrast.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Pop that beauty into a 350°F oven (middle rack position is ideal) and let the magic happen. Set your timer for 25 minutes, but start peeking at 20 – you’re looking for bubbly edges and a deep golden brown topping. When you see those little bubbles dancing around the edges and smell that buttery aroma filling your kitchen, it’s done! Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving – trust me, this helps the layers set so you get perfect slices.

See? Easy as can be! Now try not to burn your tongue diving in too fast – that cheesy, crispy goodness is worth the wait.

Tips for the Best Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

After making this casserole more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make it absolutely perfect every single time:

Fresh crackers are key: That sleeve of Ritz hiding in your pantry from last Thanksgiving? Toss it! Stale crackers won’t give you that signature crunch. I buy new ones specifically for this recipe.
Let it rest: I know it’s tempting to dig right in, but giving it 5 minutes to set makes all the difference. The layers firm up just enough for picture-perfect serving.
Broil for bonus crisp: If your topping isn’t quite golden enough, pop it under the broiler for 60-90 seconds. Watch closely – it goes from perfect to burnt fast!
Double the topping: For extra texture lovers (like me!), mix up 1.5 times the cracker topping. Nobody ever complains about too much buttery crunch.
Room temp ingredients: Take your sour cream and mayo out 30 minutes early. Cold ingredients make the sauce harder to mix smoothly.

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll have a casserole that looks and tastes like it came straight from Neiman Marcus’ kitchen!

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

Listen, I’m all about sticking to the original (it’s perfect as-is!), but life happens. Here are my tried-and-true swaps and fun twists that still deliver that beloved Neiman Marcus magic:

Sour cream substitute: Plain Greek yogurt works great – just use the full-fat kind for creaminess. My aunt swears by cottage cheese blended smooth, but that’s… controversial.
Gluten-free option: Swap Ritz for gluten-free crackers (I like Schär) or even crushed gluten-free cornflakes for that crunch.
Veggie boost: Stir in 1 cup frozen peas (thawed) or sautéed mushrooms when mixing the chicken. My kids don’t even notice the extra veggies!
Cheese switch: Gruyère or Monterey Jack make delicious alternatives to cheddar. Sometimes I do half cheddar, half pepper jack for a little kick.
Crunchy alternatives: No Ritz? Try crushed saltines, butter crackers, or even panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter.

The beauty of this recipe? It’s forgiving. Make it your own – just don’t skimp on that buttery topping!

Serving Suggestions for Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but oh, the magic you can create with the right sides! My go-to is a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette – the crisp freshness cuts through the richness perfectly. For cozy nights, I’ll add roasted garlic bread (just brush baguette slices with garlic butter and toast!) and maybe some steamed green beans. If I’m feeling fancy, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon make everything better. Honestly though? Sometimes I just grab a fork and eat it straight from the pan – no judgment here!

Storing and Reheating Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole

Here’s the good news – this casserole actually gets better as it sits, making it perfect for meal prep! Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, skip the microwave unless you want soggy topping – instead, pop individual portions in the toaster oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until heated through and crispy again. For larger amounts, cover with foil and reheat in a regular oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes. That buttery crunch will come right back!

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole FAQs

I get so many questions about this recipe (usually right after people take their first bite!), so let me tackle the most common ones:

Can I freeze this casserole? Absolutely! Just assemble without the cracker topping, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge, add fresh topping, and bake as directed. The texture stays perfect!
Will turkey work instead of chicken? You bet! Leftover Thanksgiving turkey makes an amazing substitute. I actually prefer it during the holidays – the slightly richer flavor pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
How do I keep the topping from getting soggy? My trick? Add the cracker mixture during the last 10 minutes of baking. Or, if baking ahead, store the topping separately and sprinkle it on just before serving.
Can I make this ahead? Yes! Assemble everything (topping included) up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Why cream of chicken soup? It creates that signature velvety texture. For homemade, blend 3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp flour, and 1 cup chicken broth, then simmer until thickened.

Still have questions? Just ask – I’ve probably tested every variation imaginable!

Nutritional Information

Now, let’s be real – this is comfort food, not health food! But since you asked, here’s the scoop per serving (based on my standard recipe): about 420 calories, 28g fat (10g saturated), and a solid 25g protein to keep you satisfied. Remember, these are estimates – your exact numbers will vary depending on the brands you use. The good news? All that protein from the chicken means you’re getting more than just deliciousness in every bite!

Share Your Feedback

Did this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole become your new favorite comfort food? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Snap a photo of that golden, crispy top and tag me on Instagram – or leave a comment below telling me what your family thought. This recipe’s been perfected over years of testing (and many happy taste-testers!), so your feedback means the world to me. Happy cooking!