Beyond the Salad: The Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole You Need to Make
When you think of classic Neiman Marcus recipes, your mind probably goes straight to their famous chicken salad or the legendary chocolate chip cookie. But there’s another, lesser-known classic that’s been served in their iconic restaurants, like The Zodiac Room, for years: the chicken casserole.
Think of it as the cozy, comforting cousin to their light and bright chicken salad. It’s a warm, creamy, and incredibly satisfying dish that elevates the simple casserole into something elegant enough for a special dinner, but easy enough for a weeknight meal. If you love classic comfort food with a sophisticated touch, this is a recipe you’ll want to add to your rotation.
What Makes This Casserole a Classic?
The Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole isn’t your average baked dish. It’s known for a few key things that set it apart: a rich, creamy sauce, a hearty filling, and a wonderfully crunchy topping.
The dish strikes a perfect balance—it’s decadent and comforting without being overly heavy. It combines tender chicken and pasta (or sometimes rice) with vegetables in a velvety sauce, then finishes it all with a golden, buttery topping that provides the perfect textural contrast. It’s the kind of all-in-one meal that feels both nostalgic and upscale.
Key Ingredients for the Perfect Casserole
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature flavor.
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Cooked Chicken: This is a perfect recipe for using up leftover roasted chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken. You’ll want it shredded or cubed.
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Pasta or Rice: Often made with bow-tie pasta or a similar shape, but cooked rice also works beautifully as a base.
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The Creamy Sauce: The magic is in the sauce, which is typically a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and sometimes a little mayonnaise or chicken broth to create a smooth, tangy base.
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Vegetables: Finely chopped celery, onions, and often mushrooms add depth and a bit of texture to the filling.
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The Topping: This is crucial. A crunchy topping made from buttered breadcrumbs, crushed crackers (like Ritz), and slivered almonds gives the casserole its signature finish.
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Cheese: A bit of Parmesan or sharp cheddar is often mixed into the topping or the filling for extra savory flavor.
A Simple Guide to Making It
While it tastes like it came from a fancy department store restaurant, this casserole is surprisingly easy to assemble.
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Prepare the Base: Start by cooking your pasta or rice according to the package directions. Drain it and set it aside.
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Create the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken and pasta. In a separate pan, you might sauté your vegetables (like onions and mushrooms) in a little butter until they are soft.
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Mix the Sauce: Whisk together your creamy sauce ingredients (cream cheese, sour cream, etc.) until smooth. Gently fold the sauce into the chicken and pasta mixture, along with the sautéed vegetables. Season well with salt and pepper.
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Assemble the Casserole: Pour the mixture into a buttered casserole or baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
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Add the Topping: In a small bowl, mix your melted butter with breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, and slivered almonds. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
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Bake: Bake in a preheated oven until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is beautifully golden brown.
The Perfect Make-Ahead Meal
One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s a fantastic make-ahead dish. You can assemble the entire casserole (without the topping), cover it, and keep it in the refrigerator for a day. When you’re ready to eat, just add the crunchy topping and bake. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or for having a delicious meal ready to go for guests.
