Coronation Chicken

Coronation chicken is the royalty of chicken salads. The classic British salad combines tender chicken, the sweet and tangy flavors of Major Grey chutney, and a touch of warmth from curry powder and a dash of cinnamon. This easy-to-make coronation chicken is perfect for a satisfying lunch. Or take it along to a party or potluck event.

While the original recipe included many ingredients, such as almonds, wine, and tomato paste, this simpler version is just as flavorful and satisfying. Feel free to make any changes you like. Add toasted almonds or walnuts for extra crunch, or replace the golden raisins with chopped dried apricots or mango.

Coronation Chicken History

Coronation chicken dates back to the early 1950s. The dish was created in honor of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. The recipe was developed by two British food writers, Constance Spry, and Rosemary Hume, who were tasked with creating a dish suitable for the Coronation Banquet. They were asked to create a meal that could be prepared in advance, served cold, and would appeal to a wide range of international guests attending the event.

The inspiration for coronation chicken came from an earlier dish called “Jubilee Chicken,” which was created for the Silver Jubilee of King George V in 1935. That dish featured cold, cooked chicken in a sauce made with mayonnaise, curry powder, and apricot puree. Spry and Hume adapted the Jubilee Chicken recipe by adding new ingredients and modifying the sauce. Their version of the dish included cold chicken in a sauce made with mayonnaise, curry powder, red wine, tomato puree, and apricot puree. They served it with a rice salad and garnished it with chopped parsley, toasted almonds, and orange segments.

How to Enjoy the Dish

Serve it cold as a salad or as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or rolls. Combine it with lettuce, cucumbers, or other vegetables for a refreshing and satisfying lunch.
Sandwiches: Coronation chicken is a popular filling for sandwiches. Spread it on bread or toast and add some lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese to make a delicious sandwich.
Salads: Serve Coronation chicken as a salad. Mix the chicken with greens, fresh herbs, and other vegetables, and dress it with a light vinaigrette for a healthy and flavorful salad.

Coronation Chicken Ingredients

Chicken: Use poached chicken breasts or thighs. If you want to speed it up, use a convenient rotisserie chicken. Shred or chop the chicken into bite-size pieces.
Major Grey Chutney: Named for a British officer, Major Grey, the chutney isa sweet and tangy blend of mangoes, sugar, vinegar, onions, and various warm spices. Major Grey chutney is available in Indian and British markets and most supermarkets. It’s a popular addition to curries and is widely used as a dipping sauce or spread, adding flavor to any meal.
Curry Powder: The mild curry powder in this dish provides its distinctive flavor profile, which includes a blend of warm, aromatic, and mild spice notes. Along with the flavor, the curry powder imparts a golden color to the dish and balances the mayonnaise in the sauce.
Cinnamon: The cinnamon in this coronation chicken adds depth of flavor with its sweet and warm taste, complementing the curry powder and golden raisins nicely.
Golden Raisins: Golden raisins add natural sweetness and texture to coronation chicken. There are other options if you don’t have raisins—some like dried apricots, fresh diced mango, or dried cranberries in their coronation chicken.

Popular Coronation Chicken Recipe Modifications

While the classic recipe for coronation chicken includes chicken, mayonnaise, curry powder, and other spices, feel free to change it up with ingredients you have on hand.
Spicy: If you like a little heat, add some chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or fresh minced chilies to the chicken to give it a kick.
Fruity: Add chopped dried apricots, raisins, or mango for a bit of sweetness. This variation is especially popular in the UK.
Nutty: Add extra crunch and flavor with chopped nuts, such as almonds, cashews, or walnuts, to the coronation chicken.
Lighter: Lighten the coronation chicken by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, and add some extra vegetables, such as grated carrots, celery, or bell peppers.

Coronation Chicken Variations and Substitutions

• Add fresh, diced mango or mango chutney to the sauce for a fruity twist.
• Add a few tablespoons of finely chopped red onion for texture and flavor.
• Add a few tablespoons of finely chopped celery for extra crunch.
• Mix in diced apples, celery, and walnuts for a Waldorf salad-inspired version.
• Use a hotter curry paste or add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce for a spicier dish.
• For a Thai flavor, replace the curry powder with Thai red or green curry paste and add coconut milk to the sauce.
• Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and fresh basil into the coronation chicken sauce for a Mediterranean flair.
• Use a plant-based chicken substitute or cooked chickpeas instead of chicken for a vegan-friendly option.
• Combine the cooked chicken and sauce with cooked pasta, like rotini or fusilli, and serve as a coronation chicken pasta salad.
• Add a dollop of prepared pesto to the sauce for an herby, Italian-inspired flavor.
• Mix the cooked chicken and sauce with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion for a refreshing salad.
• Serve the coronation chicken in a wrap or tortilla with lettuce, cucumber, and shredded carrot for a portable meal option.

How to Store Leftover Coronation Chicken

• Refrigerate completely cooled coronation chicken within 2 hours in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze leftover coronation chicken in an airtight container or resealable food storage bag. Label the container or bag with the name and date and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost frozen coronation chicken in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
• Coronation chicken may be enjoyed cold or warmed. To heat leftovers, gently heat them in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave. Stir occasionally and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 F.

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