Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe

Name: Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup; 1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 1/2 tsp seasoned salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1 sleeve buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed; 1/4 cup melted butter; 1/2 cup slivered almonds

The first time I tried the Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe, I was so nervous. I was bringing it to a potluck and I completely forgot the water chestnuts. I was convinced it was ruined. But you know what? Everyone raved about it and asked for the recipe. I learned right then that this dish is pretty hard to mess up, which is why it’s become my go-to for over a decade now.

Recipe Card

Recipe Title	Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe
Servings	6-8
Prep Time	25 minutes
Cooking Time	45 minutes
Calories	Approx. 485 per serving

Ingredients

3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup dry white wine (or more broth)
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 sleeve buttery round crackers (like Ritz), crushed
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Let’s talk about that cream cheese. One time I was in a hurry and didn’t let it soften. I had lumps of cream cheese all through the casserole and it looked so weird. It tasted fine, but it was not pretty. And the wine? I’ve used cheap chardonnay and it was great, but once I used a really sweet riesling and it made the whole thing taste off. Stick to a dry one or just use extra broth.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, wine, and cream of chicken soup until well combined.
Stir in the drained water chestnuts, green onions, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
Spread this mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
In a separate bowl, combine the crushed crackers, melted butter, and slivered almonds.
Sprinkle the cracker topping evenly over the chicken mixture.
Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before serving. It’s lava hot right out of the oven!

The step where you mix the cream cheese is crucial. Like I said, if it’s not soft, you’ll have a lumpy mess. I’ve also learned the hard way not to skip the “let it sit” step at the end. I burned the roof of my mouth so bad once I could barely taste the dinner I worked so hard on. It needs those few minutes to set up, I promise.

This casserole is the definition of a family favorite in our house. My kids call it “the fancy chicken” and they always ask for seconds. It’s the ultimate comfort food that feels a little special, but it’s really just an easy dinner you throw together.

I love it for meal prep because the leftovers are honestly just as good, if not better, the next day. The flavors really settle in. It’s not exactly a one-pot meal, but you only dirty one bowl and the baking dish, so cleanup is a breeze.

If I were to change one thing next time, I might try adding some frozen peas or spinach to get a little green in there. I’m always trying to sneak in veggies. But honestly, as it is, it’s pretty perfect for a cozy night in.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein
485	18g	33g	25g

Okay, so it’s not a salad. I know the nutrition looks a little heavy, but it’s a casserole, it’s supposed to be comforting. I have made it a bit healthier by using low-fat cream cheese and a reduced-fat soup, and it was still delicious. For my gluten-free friends, just use gluten-free crackers and cream of chicken soup, and you’re all set.

Ingredient Swaps

Ingredient	Substitution
White Wine	Extra Chicken Broth
Water Chestnuts	Chopped Celery
Slivered Almonds	Chopped Pecans or Omitted
Cream of Chicken Soup	Cream of Mushroom Soup
Ritz Crackers	Panko Breadcrumbs

I’ve tried almost all of these swaps. The celery instead of water chestnuts works, but you lose that great crunch. My husband isn’t a huge almond fan, so I’ve left them out and just used the crackers and butter for the topping, and it’s still fantastic. Panko breadcrumbs give a different, lighter crunch, but I missed the buttery flavor of the Ritz.

Tips

Use a rotisserie chicken. It’s the biggest time-saver and adds great flavor.
Don’t skip the water chestnuts! They provide a crucial texture that makes the dish.
Let your cream cheese sit on the counter for a good hour before you start. Trust me.
If the top is browning too fast, just lay a piece of foil loosely over the top.

The rotisserie chicken tip I learned after the first time I made this. I boiled and shredded my own chicken breasts and it was such a pain. Using a pre-cooked chicken changed my life for this recipe. And that foil trick? I learned that after I served a slightly too-dark casserole to my in-laws. A little foil saves the day.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Oh yeah, absolutely. I assemble the whole thing, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge for up to a day before I need to bake it. Just add maybe 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time since it’ll be going in cold.

Can I freeze the Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole?
I have, and the results are okay. The topping gets a little soggy when it thaws and bakes. If I do freeze it, I’ll make the casserole base and freeze that, then make a fresh topping when I’m ready to bake it. It’s definitely best fresh, though.

My sauce seems too thick, what did I do wrong?
You probably just need a splash more liquid. The chicken broth and wine are there to make a saucy consistency. If it seems pasty when you’re mixing it, don’t be afraid to add another tablespoon or two of broth until it loosens up a bit.

That’s everything I know about making the Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe! Hope you give it a try, and if you mess it up, you’re in good company—I still do it sometimes.