Description

Coronation Chicken is a classic British dish made with tender cooked chicken coated in a creamy, gently spiced curry sauce with mango chutney, dried apricots, and toasted almonds. Originally created for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, this beloved British recipe has become a popular choice for sandwiches, salads, picnics, and afternoon tea.

With its delicious combination of mild curry spices, sweet mango chutney, creamy mayonnaise, and tender chicken, Coronation Chicken is easy to prepare and full of wonderful flavour. Serve it chilled with fresh salad leaves, crusty bread, or use it as a filling for sandwiches and jacket potatoes.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Rest Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 6 people

Difficulty: Easy

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• A classic British recipe with a fascinating history.
• Creamy, mildly spiced, and wonderfully flavourful.
• Easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
• Perfect for sandwiches, salads, and picnics.
• Great for afternoon tea and light lunches.
• Can be prepared ahead of time.
• Delicious served cold or chilled.
• An excellent way to use leftover cooked chicken.
• Perfect for family gatherings and summer celebrations.
• Easy to customise with your favourite ingredients.

How to Make Coronation Chicken

1. Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with water or chicken stock.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Remove the chicken from the liquid and allow it to cool completely.

Once cool, shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

2. Prepare the Curry Sauce

Heat a small frying pan over medium-low heat.

Add the curry powder and gently toast for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mango chutney, Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, toasted curry powder, and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Mix until smooth and creamy.

3. Add the Apricots and Almonds

Stir the chopped dried apricots and toasted flaked almonds into the curry sauce.

Add the chopped fresh coriander and mix gently.

4. Combine with the Chicken

Add the cooled shredded chicken to the bowl.

Gently fold everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the creamy curry sauce.

Avoid overmixing, as this can make the chicken lose its texture.

5. Chill the Coronation Chicken

Cover the bowl with cling film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

This resting time allows the flavours to blend together beautifully.

6. Taste and Adjust

Remove the Coronation Chicken from the refrigerator and give it a gentle stir.

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Add a little extra mango chutney for sweetness, lemon juice for freshness, or curry powder for a stronger flavour.

7. Serve

Serve chilled with fresh salad leaves, crusty bread, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, or as part of a traditional British afternoon tea.

Tips for Perfect Coronation Chicken

• Use good-quality mayonnaise for the creamiest texture.
• Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely before mixing with the sauce.
• Toast the curry powder briefly to bring out its aroma.
• Do not use too much curry powder, as traditional Coronation Chicken has a mild, balanced flavour.
• Chop the dried apricots into small pieces for even distribution.
• Toast the almonds lightly for extra flavour and crunch.
• Refrigerate the mixture before serving to allow the flavours to develop.
• Use leftover roast chicken for a quick and easy version.
• Adjust the mango chutney according to your preferred level of sweetness.
• Add the coriander just before serving for the freshest flavour.

Delicious Recipe Variations

Coronation Chicken Sandwich

Spread Coronation Chicken between slices of soft white or wholemeal bread with fresh lettuce for a delicious British sandwich.

Coronation Chicken Jacket Potatoes

Spoon the creamy chicken mixture over hot baked jacket potatoes and top with fresh coriander.

Coronation Chicken Salad

Serve over crisp salad leaves with cucumber, tomatoes, and extra toasted almonds.

Spicy Coronation Chicken

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a little finely chopped fresh chilli for extra heat.

Coronation Chicken with Raisins

Replace the dried apricots with raisins or sultanas for a slightly different sweet flavour.

Vegetarian Coronation-Style Filling

Replace the chicken with roasted cauliflower or chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative.

What to Serve with Coronation Chicken

• Fresh green salad
• Crusty bread
• Soft sandwich bread
• Jacket potatoes
• Cucumber sandwiches
• Mixed leaf salad
• Fresh fruit
• British afternoon tea selection
• Warm naan bread
• Rice salad

How to Store Leftover Coronation Chicken

Allow the Coronation Chicken to cool completely before storing.

Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Keep it chilled until ready to serve and do not leave it at room temperature for extended periods.

Stir gently before serving.

Can Coronation Chicken Be Frozen?

It is not recommended to freeze Coronation Chicken because the mayonnaise and yoghurt-based sauce can separate and become watery after thawing.

For the best texture and flavour, prepare it fresh and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you want to prepare it ahead, cook and shred the chicken in advance, then prepare and add the sauce shortly before serving.