There are few dishes as iconic and comforting as the legendary Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole. Originating from the Zodiac Room restaurant, this recipe has been a symbol of classic American elegance for decades. It’s a rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying dish that turns a simple meal into a special occasion. We’ve perfected this copycat recipe to bring that same luxurious taste straight to your kitchen. It’s the perfect blend of tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and crunchy almonds in a velvety cream sauce.
Whether you’re hosting a luncheon, attending a potluck, or simply craving a high-end comfort food experience, this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is guaranteed to impress. It’s surprisingly simple to prepare and delivers a truly memorable flavor that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
What is the Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole?
This famed dish was created by Helen Corbitt, the legendary culinary director for Neiman Marcus. Served at the department store’s elegant Zodiac Room restaurant, it quickly became a signature item. The casserole is known for its creamy, savory sauce, tender chunks of chicken, and a characteristic topping of toasted almonds and sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a delightful crunch and flavor contrast. It’s a timeless recipe that embodies simple ingredients transformed into something truly special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: A rich, creamy sauce combined with savory chicken and earthy mushrooms creates a perfectly balanced and delicious meal.
- Simple Elegance: This recipe feels luxurious and sophisticated, yet it’s straightforward enough for any home cook to master.
- Crowd-Pleasing: It’s a guaranteed hit at parties, potlucks, and family dinners. There’s rarely a spoonful left!
- Perfect for Prepping Ahead: You can assemble the entire casserole ahead of time, making it an excellent choice for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients You’ll Need
At its core, this recipe uses simple, high-quality ingredients to create its signature flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cooked Chicken: A rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. You can also poach or bake your own chicken breasts.
- Cream of Mushroom & Cream of Chicken Soup: These form the creamy, savory base of the sauce. Use a high-quality brand for the best flavor.
- Sour Cream: Adds a subtle tang and extra creaminess that balances the richness of the soups.
- Onion & Celery: These aromatics provide a foundational layer of flavor.
- Mushrooms: Freshly sliced mushrooms add a wonderful earthy depth.
- Slivered Almonds: A key ingredient! Toasting them brings out their nutty flavor and provides the essential crunchy topping.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds a delicious, cheesy crust and sharp flavor that cuts through the creaminess.
- Breadcrumbs: Combined with the cheese and almonds, they create a perfectly crisp topping.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result every time.
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked, shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and the sautéed vegetables. Mix until everything is well incorporated. Gently fold in half of the cheddar cheese and half of the slivered almonds.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the chicken mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
- Create the Topping: In a separate small bowl, toss the remaining cheddar cheese, remaining slivered almonds, and breadcrumbs together. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for the Perfect Casserole
To ensure your Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole is as delicious as the original, here are a few expert tips:
- Use Quality Chicken: The texture of the chicken is key. Using a freshly roasted rotisserie chicken provides moist, flavorful meat and saves a lot of time.
- Don’t Skip Toasting the Almonds: Toasting the slivered almonds in a dry skillet for a few minutes before using them enhances their nutty flavor and makes them extra crunchy.
- Shred, Don’t Cube: Shredding the chicken helps it meld better with the creamy sauce, ensuring you get a perfect bite every time.
- Let it Rest: Allowing the casserole to sit for 5-10 minutes after it comes out of the oven lets it set up, making it easier to serve.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This creamy casserole pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a complete and satisfying meal, consider serving it with a simple green salad, steamed asparagus, or green beans. It’s also fantastic alongside some delicious starches. For a truly comforting pairing, try our incredible Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes. A side of fluffy rice or crusty bread to soak up the sauce is also an excellent choice.
Storing and Reheating
This casserole makes for excellent leftovers. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or place the casserole back in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. The oven method is best for re-crisping the topping.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
If you loved this classic comfort dish, you’ll surely enjoy some of our other popular casseroles and bakes. Be sure to check out our cozy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo or the family-favorite Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake. For another cheesy delight, don’t miss our fantastic Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can substitute the cream of mushroom soup with an equal amount of cream of celery or another can of cream of chicken soup. However, the classic recipe includes cream of mushroom for its signature savory flavor.
Yes, you can freeze it. For best results, assemble the casserole but leave off the topping. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, then add the fresh topping just before baking as directed.
Yes, absolutely. You can assemble the entire casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
The Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole was created by Helen Corbitt, the culinary director for Neiman Marcus’s Zodiac Room restaurant. It became one of the restaurant’s most famous and beloved signature dishes.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the easiest and most flavorful option. However, you can also use any cooked chicken you have on hand. Poached or baked chicken breasts, shredded, work perfectly well.
The Famous Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole Recipe
Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole (The Original Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, and sour cream. Add the sautéed onion and celery and mix until well combined.
- Gently fold in half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup) and half of the toasted slivered almonds (1/2 cup).
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining cheddar cheese (1/2 cup), remaining slivered almonds (1/2 cup), and the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tip 2: Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great way to save time and adds fantastic flavor.
Tip 3: You can assemble this casserole up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
Share Your Creation!
We are certain this Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole recipe will become a new favorite in your home. It’s a classic for a reason! If you make this dish and love it, please share your creation with us. We’d love to see your results! Pin your photos on Pinterest and let us know how it turned out in the comments below.
