Coronation Chicken (Curried Chicken Salad)
In short: Cold poached chicken in a mild, creamy curry sauce with mango chutney, raisins and toasted almonds. Great in sandwiches or on baked potatoes. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 375 kcal
Coronation chicken is cold poached chicken folded into a mild, creamy curry sauce sweetened with mango chutney and studded with raisins and toasted almonds. It was created in the early 1950s for a state banquet and became a staple of British sandwich shops, buffets and picnic tables. The sauce is easy to make, the chicken is gently poached to stay tender, and the whole dish tastes better after a few hours in the fridge.
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a saucepan with the bay leaf, peppercorns and salt, and cover with cold water. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until the thickest part reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Turn off the heat and leave the chicken to cool in its liquid for 30 minutes, which keeps it moist.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small pan and cook the onion over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the curry powder and tomato paste for 1 minute, then add the water and simmer for 2 minutes until thick. Cool completely.
- Mix the mayonnaise, yogurt, chutney and lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled curry mixture.
- Drain the chicken and cut or shred it into bite-size pieces. Fold it into the sauce with the raisins, half of the almonds and the cilantro, and season to taste.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes. Scatter with the remaining almonds and serve in sandwiches, on baked potatoes or with salad leaves.
Tips
- Cooling the chicken in its poaching liquid keeps it juicy. Let the curry base cool fully before mixing, or the mayonnaise can split.
- Taste and adjust with more chutney for sweetness or lemon juice for sharpness. Chopped dried apricots can replace the raisins. Keep chilled and use within 2 days.
Questions and answers
What is coronation chicken?
Coronation chicken is cold cooked chicken in a mild, creamy curry sauce with fruity notes from chutney and raisins. It was created in the early 1950s and is a British sandwich and buffet favorite.
Can I make coronation chicken ahead of time?
Yes, it improves after a few hours in the fridge. Keep it chilled and eat it within 2 days.
Can I use leftover roast chicken?
Yes. Shred about 500 g (1.1 lb) of cooked chicken and skip the poaching step. It is a good way to use up leftovers from a Sunday roast.
How long does it take to make Coronation Chicken (Curried Chicken Salad)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Coronation Chicken (Curried Chicken Salad)?
About 375 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 25 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 375 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 25 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 290 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
