If you’re looking for an incredibly creamy, decadent dinner that comes together in no time, you need to try Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken! Inspired by the iconic café’s famous chicken, this casserole-style dish features ultra-tender chicken bathed in a rich, cheesy sauce, served over fluffy rice—all made hands-off in your Instant Pot. It’s a total crowd-pleaser (and secretly super easy), perfect for busy weeknights or an impress-your-friends dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Comfort: The dreamy combo of sour cream, cheddar, and mayo creates a restaurant-worthy sauce that coats every bite.
- One Pot, Two Layers: The chicken and rice cook together in the Instant Pot—no need to fuss with separate pans or babysitting on the stove!
- Customizable Toppings: The signature pecans and chives add crunch and color, but you can mix it up with your favorite nuts or herbs.
- Weeknight Fast, Dinner Party Fancy: Ready in about 20 minutes, but special enough to wow guests or upgrade any weeknight.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken is how everyday staples like chicken, cheese, and rice transform into something totally irresistible. Each ingredient plays a starring role, adding texture, savory richness, or that iconic café flair to every bite. Here’s what you’ll need and a few notes to make this dish shine.
- Sour Cream: The heart of the sauce—this gives creamy, tangy body to every bite (use full-fat for the richest taste).
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: For major cheesy flavor. Sharp cheddar really wakes up the casserole.
- Mayonnaise: Trust me, it’s not much, but mayo adds silkiness and depth.
- Minced Garlic: Just a touch for mellow, aromatic kick—no overpowering raw garlic here.
- Freeze Dried or Fresh Chives: These add oniony freshness and a pop of intense green. Both work beautifully.
- Tabasco Sauce: Only a hint! It brightens the whole sauce and makes everything more craveable.
- Chopped Pecans or Almonds: They give the dish a signature crunch and a little luxury—toast them for extra flavor if you like.
- Kosher Salt + Black Pepper: Don’t skip—just enough to wake up the flavors without overpowering.
- Cooked Chicken: Rotisserie, poached, or leftover roast chicken all work. Chop bite-size so every forkful gets sauce.
- Water & Converted or Long Grain White Rice: Cooked perfectly in the Instant Pot, the rice soaks up every bit of saucy goodness.
Variations
One of my favorite things about Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken is how easy it is to make your own. A few tweaks, and you can make this dish fit your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever you have in the fridge. Here’s how to put your spin on it:
- Swap the Protein: Try this with leftover turkey, rotisserie chicken, or even chopped cooked ham for a fun twist.
- Add Bacon: A handful of crisp, crumbled bacon stirred into the sauce or sprinkled on top takes this to next-level comfort food.
- Nut-Free Option: Skip the pecans or almonds completely, or try sunflower seeds for a satisfying crunch without nuts.
- Lower Carb: Serve the creamy chicken mixture over cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or roasted veggies for a lighter meal.
- Spice Things Up: Add a diced jalapeño to the sauce for extra heat, or drizzle the finished dish with hot sauce to taste.
How to Make Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken
Step 1: Mix the Creamy Chicken Mixture
Start by grabbing a mixing bowl and stir together your sour cream, mayo, minced garlic, shredded cheddar, chives, Tabasco sauce, chopped nuts, salt, and pepper until the mixture is velvety and well-blended. This is the flavor backbone, so take a moment to make sure everything is totally smooth and evenly combined! Fold in your chopped, cooked chicken—make sure every piece gets coated in cheesy-creamy goodness.
Step 2: Layer the Instant Pot and Rice
Pour the water and uncooked rice right into the bottom of your Instant Pot insert. Place a tall trivet in the rice—this keeps your casserole dish well above the water, so both chicken and rice cook perfectly together. Pour the creamy chicken mixture into an oven-safe pot-in-pot dish, then set that on top of the tall trivet.
Step 3: Pressure Cook to Perfection
Seal the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Use the manual or pressure cook setting and cook for 7 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let it rest for 10 minutes (natural release). This step allows the rice to finish fully—and helps everything stay tender and moist. Then, carefully vent any remaining pressure and open the lid. The most tempting aroma will hit you!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Fluff the rice and spoon generous helpings onto plates, then layer on big scoops of that luscious, creamy Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken. Don’t be shy with the sauce—every spoonful is pure magic. Garnish however you like, and dig in immediately!
Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken
- Choose the Right Chicken: Rotisserie or leftover roast chicken works wonders—just shred or chop into bite-size pieces for maximum saucy coverage.
- Pot-in-Pot Perfection: Don’t skip using an oven-safe dish inside your Instant Pot—this keeps the chicken mixture rich and creamy, while the rice cooks below!
- Let the Pressure Release Naturally: That 10 minute natural release is key for dreamy, fluffy rice that doesn’t go mushy or sticky.
- Toast Your Nuts: Gently toast pecans or almonds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes before adding. The extra flavor and crunch are totally worth it!
How to Serve Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of extra chives, a light dusting of shredded cheddar, and a few additional toasted pecans make your Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken look (and taste!) straight out of a fancy café. If you love extra color, a bit of fresh parsley or a tiny drizzle of hot sauce puts it right over the top.
Side Dishes
Keep things simple with a crisp green salad, or add some extra veggies—roasted broccoli or green beans are fabulous. But honestly, this dish is so hearty, all you really need is a glass of something cold and bubbly on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the creamy chicken mixture and rice in individual ramekins for a dinner party “mini casserole” moment, or pile it into lettuce cups for a playful, fuss-free lunch. Leftovers make a dreamy filling for stuffed baked potatoes or even a lunch wrap—let your imagination (and appetite) run wild!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken and rice in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them apart helps the rice stay fluffy and prevents it from soaking up too much sauce.
Freezing
This recipe is a freezer hero! Spoon the cooled chicken mixture (no rice) into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw in the fridge overnight, warm gently, and serve over freshly cooked rice.
Reheating
Leftovers reheat best in a covered dish in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of milk or water if the sauce thickens too much—stir gently until heated through, and it’ll taste just like new!
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast meat in Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken?
Absolutely! Any type of cooked chicken works here. Chicken thighs will add even more richness and a slightly deeper flavor, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand—just be sure it’s chopped or shredded for best results.
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What is “pot in pot” cooking, and why is it used here?
Pot-in-pot (or PIP) cooking means placing an oven-safe bowl or dish inside your Instant Pot, above the main rice/water layer. This keeps the creamy chicken separate from the rice so both cook to perfection—no soggy rice or overcooked sauce!
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Can I make Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! Make the creamy chicken mixture a day or two in advance and refrigerate. When you’re ready to eat, simply prepare your rice and heat the mixture using the Instant Pot as directed—or use the microwave for easy weeknight leftovers.
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Is there a gluten-free version of this recipe?
Great news—Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken is already gluten-free, as long as your mayo, cheese, and other packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free! Just double check labels if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a dinner that delivers creamy, crowd-pleasing flavors with barely any effort, Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken is the one to make. It’s the kind of recipe everyone asks for—and one you’ll turn to again and again. Grab your Instant Pot and give it a try tonight; you might just discover your new favorite comfort food!
Print
Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Neiman Marcus Chicken recipe is a creamy and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a cheesy sour cream sauce, served over fluffy white rice. It’s a quick and easy meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup (3 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp freeze dried chives or 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans (or almonds)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
For the rice:
- 2 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups converted or long grain white rice
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, chives, Tabasco sauce, pecans, salt, and pepper. Fold in the cooked chicken.
- Assemble the dish: Place the chicken mixture into a pot in pot dish. Pour water and rice into the Instant Pot. Put a trivet in the pot and place the pot in pot dish on top.
- Cook: Seal the Instant Pot, set to manual/pressure cook for 7 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes before venting. Serve the chicken over the rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
