What is the Neiman Marcus casserole?

The Neiman Marcus casserole is a famous, creamy baked dish inspired by the recipes served in the Neiman Marcus department store café. It features shredded chicken, a rich sauce of sour cream and cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, bacon, and slivered almonds, all topped with a buttery, crunchy crust made from Ritz crackers.

What's the best casserole to buy?

While you can't typically buy the authentic Neiman Marcus casserole pre-made, the 'best' store-bought casseroles are often found at local high-quality grocery stores or specialty food shops. However, nothing compares to the flavor of a homemade version, where you can control the quality of ingredients like the rotisserie chicken and real cheddar cheese.

Which casserole dish is best?

For this recipe, a 9x13 inch glass or ceramic baking dish is ideal. Glass and ceramic distribute heat evenly, leading to a perfectly cooked filling and a uniformly golden-brown Ritz cracker topping.

What are the 4 ingredients in a simple chicken casserole?

A very basic 4-ingredient chicken casserole might include: cooked chicken, a can of cream of chicken soup, a cup of sour cream, and a topping of shredded cheese or crushed crackers. The Neiman Marcus recipe is a more decadent and elaborate version of this simple formula.

What ingredients do I need for a chicken casserole?

For a classic chicken casserole like this, you need a protein (chicken), a creamy binder (soup, sour cream), cheese, flavorful add-ins (bacon, onions, almonds), and a crispy topping (buttered crackers).

Can I make this without almonds?

Absolutely. If you have a nut allergy or simply don't care for almonds, you can omit them. The casserole will still be delicious, though you'll miss the distinctive nutty crunch they provide.

What can I use instead of Ritz crackers?

Buttery crackers like Saltines or Club crackers work well. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers. You could also use panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter, though the flavor will be different.

Is this casserole freezer-friendly?

Yes, it's an excellent freezer meal. Assemble the casserole completely but do not bake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed.

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole: Best & Healthy Recipe 2025

Description

Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is a legendary comfort casserole: creamy chicken, sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and almonds under a golden Ritz cracker topping—an iconic dish inspired by the Zodiac Room at Neiman Marcus.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup

1 cup sour cream

1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

½ cup sliced green onions

1 cup slivered almonds, toasted

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1 cup frozen peas (optional)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare all ingredients.

2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream, cheddar (1 cup), bacon (most), green onions, almonds in a large bowl. Season.

3. Spread mixture in greased 9×13-inch dish. Top with remaining cheddar.

4. Combine Ritz crackers and melted butter; sprinkle over the top.

5. Bake uncovered 25–30 min until bubbly and golden. Broil for extra crisp if desired.

6. Rest 5–10 min, garnish with remaining bacon and green onions, and serve.

Notes

Toast almonds for maximum flavor.

Use rotisserie chicken for best texture and flavor.

Swap almonds for pecans/walnuts or add peas, spinach.

Freeze unbaked casserole up to 3 months; thaw before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Chicken Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern, American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 generous piece
Calories: 485
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 980mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: neiman marcus casserole, chicken casserole, Ritz cracker topping, comfort food, bacon almond casserole