The ’80s potluck legend—now with 6g net carbs.
Remember that Neiman Marcus Chicken Casserole that graced every church supper and neighborhood potluck? The one with the buttery Ritz cracker topping that made everyone go back for seconds (and thirds)?
We gave this retro classic a keto and diabetic-friendly makeover. Same creamy, cheesy filling. Same satisfying crunch on top. Just smarter ingredients that won’t send your blood sugar on a roller coaster.
📊 Quick Stats
Prep: 20 min • Cook: 35 min • Servings: 8
Net Carbs: 6g • Protein: 28g • Calories: 285
Diet: ✅ Keto • ✅ Diabetic-Friendly • ✅ Gluten-Free
Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Homemade cream sauce instead of canned soup. Almond flour-parmesan topping instead of crackers. Your family probably won’t even notice the difference—but your glucose meter will.
✨ The Backstory
This casserole became legendary in the 1980s after supposedly appearing on the Neiman Marcus restaurant menu. Whether that’s true or not, it became a potluck staple across America—creamy chicken, buttery cracker topping, and enough cheese to make everyone happy. Our version keeps the nostalgia, loses the carbs.
This updated version keeps everything you love about the original—that creamy, cheesy filling and satisfying crunch on top—but uses smart ingredient swaps that won’t send your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride. We’re talking Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, a homemade cream sauce instead of canned soup, and a clever almond-flour topping that delivers all the buttery crunch without the refined crackers.
The best part? Your family probably won’t even notice the difference. This casserole is still just as comforting and delicious as the original, but now you can enjoy it without the guilt or the glucose spike.
🥑 Keto Macros
Net Carbs: 6g • Fat: 16g • Protein: 28g
Fiber: 3g • Calories: 285
Verdict: ✅ Keto-approved!
Why This Neiman Marcus Chicken Recipe is Diabetic-Friendly
Protein-Packed Foundation: With lean chicken breast as the star, this casserole delivers substantial protein that helps slow carbohydrate absorption and keeps blood sugar stable for hours.
Greek Yogurt Magic: Swapping sour cream for plain Greek yogurt cuts the fat and adds extra protein while maintaining that signature creamy texture. Plus, the probiotics support gut health, which plays a role in blood sugar regulation.
Homemade Cream Base: Making your own cream sauce from scratch means you control the sodium and eliminate the hidden sugars and thickeners found in canned soups. We use almond milk to keep it light.
Smart Topping Switch: Traditional Ritz crackers are loaded with refined flour and added sugars. Our almond flour and Parmesan topping gives you that buttery crunch with healthy fats, fiber, and virtually no impact on blood sugar.
Veggie Boost: Broccoli adds fiber and nutrients while keeping the net carb count low. The fiber helps slow digestion and prevents blood sugar spikes.
Portion Control Built-In: At 8 servings, this recipe makes it easy to enjoy a satisfying portion without overdoing it. Each serving delivers balanced nutrition that fits into a diabetic meal plan.
Neiman Marcus Chicken | Keto and Diabetic-Friendly Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Make the homemade cream base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Whisk in 2 tablespoons almond flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the almond milk and chicken broth, continuing to whisk until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, steamed broccoli, Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Pour the homemade cream sauce over the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well combined and evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheddar cheese over the top.
- Prepare the crunchy topping: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup almond flour, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and dried parsley if using. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the almond flour topping evenly over the casserole, distributing it loosely without pressing down.
- Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly for easier serving.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Chef’s Tips for Perfect Results
Chicken Prep Shortcut: Use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to save time. Just remove the skin before shredding to keep the fat content in check. You’ll need about one medium rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
Broccoli Texture Matters: Don’t overcook your broccoli in the prep stage—it should still have a slight bite since it’ll cook more in the oven. Overcooked broccoli turns mushy and releases excess water into your casserole.
Cream Sauce Consistency: When making your homemade cream base, whisk constantly to prevent lumps. If it gets too thick, add a splash more almond milk. If it’s too thin, let it simmer another minute or two.
Topping Technique: Don’t press the almond flour topping down—just sprinkle it loosely over the casserole. This creates those crispy, crunchy bits everyone fights over. Press it down and you’ll get a dense, less appealing texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble the entire casserole (minus the topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the topping and increase baking time by 5-10 minutes since you’re starting with a cold dish.
Golden Brown Perfection: If your topping isn’t browning nicely in the last 5 minutes, switch your oven to broil and watch it closely. It can go from perfect to burnt in less than a minute, so don’t walk away!
Cheese Choice: Sharp cheddar gives you maximum flavor with less cheese needed. The stronger the cheese, the more you can reduce the amount while keeping that cheesy taste everyone expects.
🍽️ Original vs. Our Version
| Original: Canned cream of chicken soup | Ours: Homemade almond milk cream sauce |
| Sour cream (higher fat) | Greek yogurt (+protein, probiotics) |
| Ritz cracker topping (~15g carbs) | Almond flour-parmesan topping (2g carbs) |
| ~25-30g carbs per serving | Just 6g net carbs (keto-friendly!) |
| Hidden sugars in canned soup | Zero hidden sugars |
Neiman Marcus Chicken Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The topping may soften slightly, but you can crisp it back up by reheating in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave reheating works in a pinch (2-3 minutes on medium power), but the oven method preserves the textural contrast between the creamy filling and the crunchy topping.
This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Freeze individual portions in meal-prep containers for easy diabetic-friendly lunches. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
What is Neiman Marcus Chicken?
Neiman Marcus Chicken is a creamy chicken casserole that became popular in the 1980s, supposedly originating from the Neiman Marcus department store restaurant. The classic version features chicken in a creamy sauce (usually made with canned soup and sour cream) topped with crushed Ritz crackers and butter.
Is this Neiman Marcus Chicken keto-friendly?
Yes! Our version has just 6g net carbs per serving, making it perfect for keto. We replaced the high-carb crackers with an almond-flour Parmesan topping and used a homemade cream sauce instead of canned soup.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble everything except the topping up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate. Add the topping just before baking, and increase cook time by 5-10 minutes since you’re starting cold.
Does this casserole freeze well?
Yes—it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months—portion into individual containers for easy diabetic-friendly meal prep. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Neiman Marcus Chicken casserole alongside a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to add freshness and extra fiber. Roasted asparagus or green beans make excellent low-carb side dishes that complement the creamy casserole perfectly.
For a complete diabetic-friendly meal, pair with a small portion of quinoa or wild rice if your carb budget allows. The key is balancing this moderately lower-carb main dish with high-fiber vegetables to create a satisfying, blood-sugar-friendly plate.
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