This Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s a rich, creamy, and incredibly comforting dish that brings a touch of elegance to the dinner table. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of dining at a Neiman Marcus restaurant, this recipe will bring back delicious memories. We’ve perfected this copycat version to be easy, reliable, and absolutely delicious, making it the perfect meal for a cozy night in or for impressing guests.
This recipe transforms simple ingredients like tender chicken, crunchy almonds, and a creamy mushroom sauce into a truly unforgettable meal. It’s the ultimate comfort food, elevated. Forget complicated recipes; this is straightforward and delivers consistently amazing results every single time.
What is the Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole?
The Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is a legendary dish with roots in the department store’s iconic Zodiac Room restaurant. It was created by Helen Corbitt, the culinary director for Neiman Marcus, who was famous for her sophisticated yet approachable recipes. This casserole became a signature item, beloved for its creamy texture, savory flavor, and the delightful crunch from slivered almonds. It’s a baked dish that combines cooked chicken, celery, mushrooms, and almonds in a rich, cheesy cream sauce, often served over rice or wild rice.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Chicken Casserole
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce is simply irresistible.
- Wonderful Texture: With tender chicken, crisp celery, and crunchy almonds, every bite is a delightful mix of textures.
- Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet reputation, this recipe is surprisingly simple to assemble, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner. For another easy weeknight meal, try this creamy crack chicken penne.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: It’s elegant enough for a dinner party but comforting enough for a casual family meal.
Ingredients for the Perfect Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
This recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: A rotisserie chicken works beautifully here, or you can use any leftover cooked chicken.
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the classic, creamy base of the sauce.
- Mayonnaise: Adds richness and a tangy flavor that balances the creaminess.
- Cheddar & Swiss Cheese: We use a blend of sharp cheddar for flavor and Swiss for its nutty, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Celery & Onion: Provides a fresh, aromatic crunch and foundational flavor.
- Slivered Almonds: The signature ingredient! They add a fantastic nutty flavor and crunch.
- Lemon Juice: A secret weapon to brighten up all the rich flavors.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and a pinch of paprika for color.
How to Make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Step-by-Step
Making this iconic casserole is a breeze. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect result.
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Make sure your chicken is shredded, your celery is diced, and your onion is finely chopped. Having everything ready to go makes the process smooth and quick.
Step 2: Mix the Casserole Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, half of the cheddar cheese, half of the Swiss cheese, diced celery, and chopped onion. Add the fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Gently stir everything together until it’s well combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Pour the chicken mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer. In a separate small bowl, toss the remaining cheddar and Swiss cheese with the slivered almonds and the paprika. Sprinkle this cheese and almond mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Tips for the Best Results
- Use Quality Chicken: A freshly roasted rotisserie chicken provides the best flavor and texture.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting as smoothly. For the best creamy, gooey texture, buy blocks of cheddar and Swiss and shred them yourself.
- Toast the Almonds: For an even deeper, nuttier flavor, lightly toast the slivered almonds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding them to the topping.
- Let it Rest: After baking, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up, making it easier to serve and enhancing the flavors. For a different but equally comforting casserole, check out this cheeseburger casserole recipe.
Recipe Variations to Try
While the classic Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is perfect as is, you can easily customize it to your liking!
- Add Rice: Stir in 2 cups of cooked white or wild rice to the chicken mixture to make it a complete one-pan meal.
- Introduce Veggies: Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, water chestnuts for extra crunch, or even some steamed broccoli florets.
- Different Toppings: If you’re not a fan of almonds, you can top the casserole with crushed Ritz crackers or buttery breadcrumbs instead.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This rich and creamy casserole pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect fresh contrast. Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or these garlic parmesan roasted potatoes also make excellent companions.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover casserole tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or place the entire baking dish back in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. If it looks a little dry, you can add a splash of milk or chicken broth before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the entire casserole without the topping up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, add the cheese and almond topping and bake as directed, adding about 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.
Certainly. While the classic uses a blend of cheddar and Swiss, this recipe is very forgiving. Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or even Provolone would also be delicious and would melt beautifully.
No, they are two different famous recipes. The Neiman Marcus chicken salad is a cold salad served on sandwiches or with fruit, while this is a hot, baked casserole. Both are delicious but distinct dishes from the Neiman Marcus restaurants.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the easiest and most flavorful option. However, you can use any cooked chicken you have on hand, such as baked chicken breasts, poached chicken, or even leftover grilled chicken.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave for individual portions or place the casserole back in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Covering it with foil can help prevent the top from browning further.
The Ultimate Comfort Casserole
Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole (The Original Copycat Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, condensed cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, half of the cheddar cheese, half of the Swiss cheese, diced celery, and chopped onion. Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a separate small bowl, toss together the remaining cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, slivered almonds, and paprika.
- Sprinkle the cheese and almond mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Toast the Almonds: Lightly toasting the almonds beforehand will enhance their nutty flavor and crunch.
Make-Ahead: You can assemble the casserole (without the topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Add the topping just before baking and add 5-10 minutes to the cook time.
Share Your Creation!
We hope you love this classic Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole recipe as much as we do! It’s a true taste of comfort and nostalgia. If you make this dish, please leave a comment and rating below to let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! And don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
