There’s something about a creamy, cheesy casserole that just feels like a hug in a baking dish. And when you take inspiration from the legendary Neiman Marcus dip to create a Neiman Marcus chicken casserole while adding a few of your own twists, you end up with something truly unforgettable.
If you’ve ever tasted Neiman Marcus Dip, also known as Million Dollar Dip, then you already know why it’s so iconic. Back in the 1950s, the Zodiac Room inside Neiman Marcus in Dallas served up a cold party dip made with mayo, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onions, and slivered almonds. Because it was so simple yet incredibly delicious, it quickly became a nationwide favorite.
For this casserole, I decided to transform those famous flavors into a warm, bubbly dinner. Not only does it feature shredded chicken, cheddar, and bacon, but it also gets a flavor boost from garlic, Dijon mustard, and just a pinch of smoked paprika. Finally, the whole thing is topped with a buttery Ritz cracker and Panko breadcrumb crust that bakes up perfectly golden and crisp. The result is a dish that feels fancy enough for company, yet cozy enough for any weeknight meal.
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What You’ll Need to Make Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
To bring this casserole together, you’ll only need a few simple ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked chicken – shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken works wonderfully)
- 8 oz cream cheese – softened for easy mixing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese – divided
- 6 slices bacon – cooked crisp and crumbled, divided
- 4 green onions – chopped
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers – crushed
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter – melted
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix the base – In a large bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, 1 ½ cups cheddar, half the bacon, green onions, garlic, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika until everything is smooth and creamy.
- Add chicken – Next, fold in the shredded chicken until all pieces are coated, then spread the mixture evenly into your prepared dish.
- Top with goodness – After that, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon evenly across the surface.
- Make the topping – In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Because you want every bite to be crunchy, stir until well coated before sprinkling it evenly over the casserole.
- Bake – Place in the oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbling around the edges.
- Serve and enjoy – Finally, let the dish cool slightly before serving. Once you take a bite, you’ll see why this recipe is a keeper.
Recipe Notes
- Cheese swaps: Try Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or a blend of cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- Almond option: Add toasted slivered almonds into the topping as a nod to the original dip.
- Make ahead: You can assemble the casserole up to a day in advance. Simply refrigerate, then bake before serving.
- Storage: Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat in the oven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Inspired by the famous Million Dollar Dip
✔️ Made unique with garlic, Dijon, and smoked paprika
✔️ Buttery Ritz + Panko topping for crunch in every bite
✔️ Perfect for weeknight dinners, holidays, or potlucks
FAQ: Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Simply assemble it a day in advance, cover, and refrigerate. You may need to add an extra 5 minutes of baking time if it starts out cold.
What can I use instead of Ritz crackers?
If Ritz aren’t available, buttery Club crackers or all Panko breadcrumbs will work. Both give you that crunchy topping you want.
Can I freeze Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole?
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole and wrap it tightly before freezing for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed.
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Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole
- 4 cups chicken cooked, shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken works wonderfully)
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shredded & divided
- 6 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled, divided
- 4 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Topping
- 1 sleeve sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish so nothing sticks later.
- In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, mayonnaise, 1 ½ cups cheddar, half the bacon, green onions, garlic, Dijon mustard, and smoked paprika until creamy. Because the cream cheese is softened, this step will be quick and easy.
- Next, fold in the shredded chicken so every piece is coated. Then spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- After that, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon over the surface for extra goodness.
- In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers, Panko breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Since you want an even crunch, stir until all crumbs are coated, then spread evenly over the casserole.
- Now place it in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.
- Finally, let it cool slightly before serving so the layers set. Then dig in and enjoy every cheesy, crunchy bite!
Notes
Notes
- Cheese swaps – Although cheddar is classic, Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or a blend of cheeses can add more depth.
- Almond option – Since the original dip included almonds, you can mix in toasted slivered almonds with the topping for extra crunch.
- Make ahead – Because this casserole assembles easily, you can put it together a day in advance. Refrigerate, then bake before serving.
- Storage – Leftovers will last up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the oven so the topping stays crisp.