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–+ servings

Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken

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A plate of mashed potatoes topped with scrambled eggs, sliced almonds, green onions, and crispy bacon on a wooden board with a wooden spoon beside it.
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:4 hours
Total Time:4 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon hot sauce or to taste
  • ½ cup sliced green onions divided
  • 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (divided)
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • ½ cup slivered or sliced almonds

Instructions

  • Step 1: Add the chicken to your slow cooker. Yes—it’s fine to put raw chicken in a crockpot.
  • Step 2: Make the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and hot sauce. This creamy mixture will add tons of flavor to the chicken.
  • Step 3: Assemble. Spread the cream of chicken soup mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker. Make sure the chicken is fully coated. Sprinkle half of the scallions and half of the bacon on top of the chicken and soup mixture. This will give you pops of salty, oniony flavor throughout.
  • Step 4: Slow cook. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Slow cooking on low will make the chicken super tender.
  • Step 5: Shred. Once the chicken is cooked, shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces right in the slow cooker.
  • Step 6: Make it Extra Creamy. Stir in the sour cream, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. This is what makes the casserole so rich and creamy. Adding it at the end ensures the dairy sauce doesn’t break or curdle.
  • Step 7: Make the Topping. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter.
  • Step 8: Layer. Sprinkle the cracker mixture over the chicken and cheese mixture in the slow cooker. Top with the remaining green onions and bacon. Sprinkle the almonds evenly over the top.
  • Step 9: Cover and Cook for another 20–30 minutes on low just to melt the cheese and soften the cracker topping. Serve and enjoy!!!

Notes

Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations

  • Buffalo-Style: For a spicy twist, simply add an extra drizzle of hot sauce to the chicken and soup mixture. This will give the casserole a nice kick of heat. Then, instead of cheddar cheese, swap in tangy blue cheese crumbles. The cool, creamy blue cheese will perfectly balance the spicy buffalo flavors.
  • Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole: If you're craving ranch dressing flavors, replace the hot sauce with 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix. The rest of the ingredients will remain the same, resulting in a comforting, ranch-infused cheesy chicken that’s lick-the-plate delicious.
  • Veggie-Loaded: To pack in some extra nutrition, stir in cooked broccoli florets or frozen sweet peas (no need to defrost) before adding the crunchy cracker topping. The veggies will add pops of color, texture, and fresh flavor throughout the casserole. Feel free to use a combination of your favorite cooked vegetables.
  • Tex-Mex Twist: For a South of the border spin, swap the cheddar cheese for pepper jack. The subtle heat and smoky notes of the pepper jack will complement the chicken beautifully. You can also stir in some drained and rinsed black beans and corn kernels to make it a heartier meal. Feel free to serve with pico de gallo for extra color.
  • Low-Carb: For a keto-friendly version, simply skip the crunchy cracker topping. Instead, serve the cheesy chicken casserole over a bed of riced cauliflower. The nutty, slightly sweet cauliflower rice will soak up all the creamy, cheesy goodness without the added carbs from the crackers.

Expert Tips & Tricks 

  • Thick-Cut Bacon FTW. When it comes to the crunchy topping, thick-cut bacon is the way to go. Thin, flimsy bacon pieces just won't deliver the same satisfying crunch.
  • Preventing Curdling and Separation. It's important to stir in the heavy cream and sour cream at the very end, after the chicken is cooked through. Adding them too soon can cause the dairy to curdle or separate, ruining the smooth, creamy texture of the casserole. As they say, patience is a virtue!
  • Topping Tips. To keep the cracker topping from getting soggy, make sure to add it during the last 30 minutes of cook time. This allows the butter-coated crumbs to soften a smidge, without getting mushy from sitting in the liquid too long. If you like extra crunch, wait to add them until right before serving.
  • Easy Shredding Hack. For the easiest chicken prep, shred the cooked chicken right in the slow cooker using two forks. This saves you from dirtying an extra dish and ensures you get perfectly bite-sized pieces throughout!
  • Cook Evenly. When selecting your chicken breasts, try to choose pieces that are similar in size. If you have some thicker pieces, you can lightly pound them to flatten before adding to the pot. Even size = even cooking, which is key for juicy, tender chicken.

How to Serve

This slow cooker cheesy chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food, so the serving options are endless! This Neiman Marcus-style chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of tasty sides to round out the meal.
For a hearty, satisfying dinner, serve the casserole over a bed of fluffy white rice or buttery mashed potatoes. The rich, creamy sour cream sauce will soak right into the starch like a gravy so you don’t miss a drop. Top it off with some fresh chopped scallions or a sprinkle of crispy bacon for extra flavor.
Looking for a lighter pairing? Try serving cheesy bacon chicken casserole with a crisp green salad or roasted broccoli florets. The crunchy veggies will provide a nice contrast to the decadent casserole. You can even scoop the chicken mixture into hollowed-out bell pepper halves then bake them until tender for a fun veggie boost and low-carb presentation.

Storage & Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Leftover cheesy chicken casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld together as it chills, making it even more delicious the next day.
  • Freezing: For longer storage, the casserole can also be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Simply allow it to cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe dish or resealable bag. This makes it easy to enjoy a comforting dish even on the busiest weeknights.
  • Reheating: When ready to enjoy your leftover cheesy chicken casserole, there are a few easy reheating methods to choose from. (No matter which method you choose, be sure to stir the casserole well before serving.)
    • Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Transfer the casserole to an oven-safe baking dish, cover with foil, and heat for 20-25 minutes until warmed through. To recrisp the Ritzy top, broil for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
    • Microwave: Portion out individual servings of the casserole into a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until heated to your desired temperature.
    • Slow Cooker: For a hands-off reheating option, simply transfer the frozen or refrigerated casserole to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until heated through.

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Servings: 6 servings
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