Coronation Chicken Recipe (2024)

Published | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

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Coronation Chicken Salad is a British classic! A scrumptious combination of cold cooked chicken, dried apricots, toasted almonds and spring onions in a curry flavoured creamy dressing. Here is my version that will surely please everyone who is into delicious food!

If you are a fan of delicious and hearty salads that fill you up like a meal, take a look at another reader favourite Potato and Chicken Salad ‘Olivier’.

Coronation Chicken Recipe (1)

Coronation Chicken Salad is an absolute staple when it comes to British lunches but it remains relatively unknown outside of the British Isles. I have never heard of it until we moved to London years ago.

As with many classic recipes, this one is ubiquitous in most UK shops, which is both good and bad. It’s great because many tourists get to be introduced to the local specialty.

However, many expressions of this almost century old salad lack flavour and freshness. So people’s first introduction to this beauty of a salad is less than favourable.

Coronation Chicken Recipe (2)

The Origin and History

Unsurprising, the name itself comes from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The original recipe was invented by Le Cordon Bleu London, and was served at the coronation luncheon in 1953.

However, Coronation Chicken recipe was undoubtedly inspired by the Jubilee Chicken that was created for the silver jubilee of the reign of King George V, the current queen’s grandfather.

Coronation Chicken Recipe (3)

The Ingredients

Well…cooked chicken is the main ingredient as the name suggests, which is not too unique or unusual. So what makes this chicken salad “coronation”, you might wonder.

The cooked chicken is dressed with a curry flavoured sauce, and is usually mixed with raisins and nuts. As much as I like classics, I felt like I could definitely improve on the original recipe. Or at least bring my own personal twist.

Admittedly I wasn’t invited to the coronation luncheon, so I couldn’t definitely say that my recipe is better. However, I speak with confidence in saying that my version is much fresher and tastier than what you can find in most shops nowadays.

Coronation Chicken Recipe (4)

I kept the integrity of the classic by keeping it a cold chicken salad in a creamy curry flavoured dressing. I replaced sultanas with apricots, added rocket (arugula), spring onions, fresh coriander (cilantro) and black sesame seeds. You can use Nigella seeds as well.

Using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes this salad a snap to put together. I personally love preparing it when I have leftover roast chicken in the fridge. If you need to cook some chicken fast, use my air fryer whole chicken recipe. 45 minutes and you are set!

But what really sets this Coronation chicken salad apart is the dressing. It’s sweet, tangy and fragrant. It pulls the entire salad together into one familiar yet slightly exotic dish.

Serving Suggestions

Since I added some greens you can enjoy this salad on its own but let me make one suggestion.

It makes a killer sandwich, which will make you the envy of your entire office.This Coronation chicken makes an incredible sandwich or a wrap filler.

Enjoy and let me know if you have a favourite chicken salad in comments below.

Favourite chicken salad recipes to try:

  • Best Keto Cabbage Salad with Chicken
  • Middle Eastern Salad Bowl

Or feel free to explore out Salad Recipe Collection for more inspiration. There you will find all kinds of recipes. From simple side salads to elaborate main dish salads, which are incredibly delicious and satisfying.

If you make my Coronation Chicken Salad, tag @vikalinka in your Instagram photos, so I could see them!

Coronation Chicken Recipe (5)

Coronation Chicken Salad

Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Coronation Chicken Salad is a timeless British classic that got an facelift! A winning combination of the savoury, sweet and spicy this salad is a hit!

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Course Main

Cuisine British

Servings 6

Calories 401 kcal

Ingredients

For the Salad

  • 1.5lbs/3 cups cooked chicken skins and bones removed and chopped
  • 2 tbsp spring/green onions sliced
  • 10 dried apricots chopped
  • 2 tbsp sliced almonds toasted
  • 3 tbsp fresh coriander/cilantro chopped
  • 50g/2 cups rocket/arugula
  • 1 tbsp black sesame seeds or nigella seeds
  • salt to taste

For the salad dressing

  • 80ml/1/3 cup plain yogurt
  • 60ml/1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp curry powder fresh and good quality
  • 1 tbsp mango chutney
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  • In a mason jar mix yogurt, mayonnaise, curry powder, mango chutney, smoked paprika and lemon juice. Stir with a fork to combine and set aside.

  • Toast sliced almonds in a dry frying pan over low heat until they just about to start to colour. Immediately take off the heat and cool.

  • Take the chicken flesh off the bones and remove skin, chop into bite sized chunks.

  • In a large bowl combine chopped chicken, sliced spring onions, dried apricots, toasted sliced almonds, coriander/cilantro and rocket/arugula.

  • Add the salad dressing and salt to taste, mix gently and sprinkle with black sesame seeds.

Video

Notes

Only add arugula if you plan on eating the salad right away. Otherwise skip or add right before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 29gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 158mgPotassium: 472mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 2.9mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 2.4mg

Keyword coronation chicken salad

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
read more..

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Coronation Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the recipe for the Queen's coronation chicken? ›

Ingredients
  1. 6 tbsp mayonnaise.
  2. 2-3 tsp mild curry powder, to taste.
  3. ½ tsp ground cinnamon.
  4. 2 tbsp mango chutney.
  5. 1-3 tbsp sultanas, or to taste.
  6. 500g shredded cooked chicken.

What does coronation chicken contain? ›

Coronation chicken or Poulet Reine Elizabeth is an English dish of boneless chicken traditionally seasoned with parsley, thyme, bay leaf, cumin, turmeric, ginger and peppercorns, mixed with cream or mayonnaise, and dried apricots (or sultanas). Some modern variations also incorporate cinnamon.

Why is coronation chicken yellow? ›

And what was once a pinch of curry powder grew to several tablespoons, staining the mix a vivid — some say lurid — yellow. By the 1980s, coronation chicken salad had become ubiquitous in Britain, found in ready-made sandwiches at Marks & Spencer and on backyard party menus alike.

Can you freeze coronation chicken sandwich fillers? ›

For use by date: see front of pack. Keep refrigerated, once opened consume within 2 days and do not exceed the use by date. Do not freeze.

What is the coronation dish for King Charles? ›

King Charles coronation: Quiche declared official dish of the celebrations.

How did the queen eat scrambled eggs? ›

She preferred her eggs scrambled first with a tablespoon of milk, then added to the preheated pan. Combined with a tablespoon of butter, the Queen's cook would leave the eggs to begin cooking. The other seasonings aren't added until just before the eggs fully set.

What is the most unhealthy chicken? ›

Dark meat pieces of chicken, including wings and thighs, can be unhealthy when served with the skin and then battered and fried. You may think chicken breast is better, but those calories and saturated fat can also skyrocket once you drown it in heavy sauces and fry it.

Why is coronation chicken cold? ›

Served cold, the original recipe involved poaching chicken in water and wine before coating it in a creamy sauce consisting of mayonnaise, whipped cream, apricot and tomato purée, curry powder, lemon, pepper and red wine.

What is a coronation Sussex chicken? ›

The Coronation Sussex is essentially the same as the light, but the black markings are replaced by the pigeon grey/blue colour. This grey/blue colour is described as 'lavender' by poultry breeders and is caused by a gene that dilutes the black colour.

What was coronation chicken called before? ›

The history behind the Coronation Chicken Recipe

The recipe "Poulet Reine Elizabeth" now widely known as Coronation Chicken has been created by Le Cordon Bleu London to be served at the Coronation Luncheon in 1953.

Is there alcohol in coronation chicken? ›

This version of the classic recipe is lower in fat and calories – and doesn't contain alcohol, unlike the original – but still hits the spot on wholemeal bread or served up with a crisp, green salad. It also makes a tasty filling for a jacket potato or roll.

What is the queen coronation meal? ›

As part of the coronation luncheon on 2 June 1953, guests were served “Poulet Reine Elizabeth”, a dish credited to Rosemary Hume and Constance Spry from Le Cordon Bleu London, who catered the event, with the original recipe consisting of “young roasting chickens, water and a little wine to cover carrot, a bouquet garni ...

Why can't you freeze sandwiches with mayo? ›

As mayonnaise thaws, that emulsion will break, leaving you with the liquid, acidic ingredients, and oil floating on top of the yolk base. While it won't kill you, melted mayonnaise certainly won't spread the same on a sandwich.

Does coronation chicken have raisins in it? ›

Dried apricots or raisins are also usually among the ingredients in Coronation chicken, and dried fruit may contain Sulphur Dioxide - another of the 14 allergens. Depending on the exact recipe used, Celery and Mustard may also be present.

Is coronation chicken made of mayonnaise? ›

If you've never heard of Coronation chicken, it's a cold dish of cooked chicken (shredded or chopped) in a curry spiced mayo-based sauce with mango chutney, sultanas and apricots for sweetness. Sounds like a bit of an unusual combination, but it really works.

What is the Queen's coronation meal? ›

According to Food Network, the queen and her guests ate Poulet Reine Elizabeth – known as coronation chicken – at her coronation luncheon. The dish is credited to florist Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume, the founder of Le Cordon Bleu London.

What was the original recipe for poulet reine elizabeth? ›

Served cold, the original recipe involved poaching chicken in water and wine before coating it in a creamy sauce consisting of mayonnaise, whipped cream, apricot and tomato purée, curry powder, lemon, pepper and red wine. The dish was accompanied by a well-seasoned salad of rice, green peas and pimentos.

What was the menu for the coronation in 1953? ›

For the coronation, the food had to be prepared in advance, and florist Constance Spry proposed a recipe of cold chicken in a curry cream sauce with a dressed salad of rice, green peas and mixed herbs. The recipe won the approval of the Minister of Works and has since been known as coronation chicken.

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