Description
Creamy Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy blend of cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise, topped with a crisp, buttery Ritz cracker crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Ensure you have 3 cups of cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced into bite-sized pieces. If starting with raw chicken, cook it by boiling or baking (approx. 20-25 mins at 375°F/190°C), then cool slightly and shred or dice.
- Prepare Cracker Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers with the 1/2 cup of melted butter. Stir until all crumbs are evenly coated. Set aside.
- Craft the Creamy Base: In a very large mixing bowl, combine the softened 8 oz cream cheese, 1 cup sour cream, and 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Whisk until completely smooth and well combined.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the 1/2 cup of sliced green onions, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to incorporate all seasonings.
- Fold in Chicken: Gently fold the prepared shredded chicken into the creamy mixture until it’s evenly coated. Avoid overmixing to maintain chicken texture.
- Assemble the Casserole: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread about half of the creamy chicken mixture evenly into the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over this layer. Carefully spoon the remaining half of the chicken mixture over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the second chicken layer. Finally, evenly scatter the buttery Ritz cracker crumbs over the entire surface, gently pressing down.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the assembled casserole into the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges and the cracker topping is beautifully golden brown. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
- Rest Before Serving: Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set up and flavors to meld, making for cleaner, more enjoyable portions.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg