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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.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Quick to make. Just mix the dressing and fold in the chicken.
Classic flavor. Mild curry, chutney, and raisins give it that signature Coronation taste.
Flexible serving options. Serve cold or warm, in sandwiches, on salads, or with rice.
Great for leftovers. A perfect way to use cooked or rotisserie chicken.
Ingredient Notes
- Mayonnaise – Full-fat mayo gives the richest, creamiest result. Light mayo works, but the texture will be slightly thinner.
- Curry powder – A mild British-style curry powder is traditional and gives the right warm, rounded flavor. Hot curry powder can overwhelm the dish, so add cautiously if you prefer more heat.
- Ground cinnamon – A little goes a long way. Saigon cinnamon is sweeter and stronger; Ceylon cinnamon is milder and more floral. Either works — use what you enjoy.
- Major Grey’s chutney – A classic mango chutney that provides sweetness, tang, and gentle spice. If you can’t find Major Grey’s, any mango chutney (smooth or chunky) will work.
- Golden raisins – Slightly softer and fruitier than regular raisins; they add a pleasant pop of sweetness. You can substitute regular raisins, currants, or even chopped dried apricots.
- Cooked chicken – Rotisserie chicken, poached chicken, or leftover roasted chicken all work well. Shred it for a softer texture or chop it into cubes for more bite.
- Salt and pepper – Add these at the end so you can adjust based on the sweetness and seasoning of your chutney.
Steps to Make Easy Coronation Chicken
- Mix the mayonnaise, curry powder, cinnamon, chutney, and raisins in a medium bowl.
- Add the cooked chicken and stir until coated evenly.
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
- Add a splash of water if you prefer a looser, saucier mixture.
- Serve chilled or warmed, with herbs sprinkled on top.
Tips
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice if you prefer more brightness.
- For a lighter version, replace half the mayo with Greek yogurt.
- Chop the chicken finely for sandwich filling; keep it chunkier for salads.
- Let the mixture chill for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Recipe Variations
- Add crunch. Stir in toasted almonds, cashews, or celery.
- Make it fruitier. Add diced apple, halved grapes, or dried apricots.
- Spicier version. Add extra curry powder or a pinch of cayenne.
- Herb-forward. Fold in cilantro, parsley, or chives for freshness.
- Creamier texture. Stir in a spoonful of cream or crème fraîche.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve on croissants, rolls, or sandwich bread.
- Spoon over mixed greens for a quick lunch.
- Pair with rice or couscous for a heartier meal.
- Add to lettuce cups for a light, fresh option.
- Choose crackers, pita, or naan as a fun dipping base.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. The flavors improve as it chills.
Freeze: Freezing is not recommended due to the mayonnaise-based dressing.
Reheat: If serving warm, gently warm only the portion you plan to eat.
Easy Coronation Chicken
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise, or to taste
- 2 tsp curry powder, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp mango chutney
- 3 tbsp golden raisins
- 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 to 3 tsp water (optional), if needed for extra moisture
- Chopped fresh parsley, chives, or cilantro (optional), for serving
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, curry powder, cinnamon, chutney, and raisins. Mix to blend.1/3 cup mayonnaise | 2 tsp curry powder | 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon | 2 tbsp mango chutney | 3 tbsp golden raisins
- Add the chicken and stir to coat with the mayonnaise mixture. Taste and adjust the seasonings with fine salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. For a saucier dish, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of water or add an extra tablespoon of mayo.1 pound cooked chicken | Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper | 1 to 3 tsp water (optional)
- Serve chilled, or warm gently in a skillet or microwave just until heated through. To add color, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, chives, or cilantro.Chopped fresh parsley, chives, or cilantro (optional)
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
This was a big hit with my club. It was the perfect luncheon dish!