Classic Coronation Chicken | Tender Chicken in Creamy Curry Sauce
Coronation chicken is a classic British dish. It was created for the coronation banquet of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. This delicious recipe typically consists of cooked chicken mixed with a mildly spiced creamy curry sauce, and is often served cold and is a great way of using up any left over roast chicken.
Serving Suggestions for Coronation Chicken
- With naan or flatbreads for a curry‑inspired twist
- In sandwiches or rolls — soft white bread, seeded rolls, or baguettes
- On baked potatoes or sweet potatoes
- With a simple green salad (lettuce, cucumber, spring onions)
- As a topping for rice salad with peas, sweetcorn, and herbs
- With couscous or bulgur wheat for a light lunch
- Stuffed into pitta breads or wraps
- Alongside new potatoes with a lemon‑herb dressing
- With mango chutney on the side for extra sweetness
- On a bed of mixed grains (quinoa, barley, wild rice)
- With roasted vegetables like peppers, courgettes, or squash
- As part of a picnic spread with sausage rolls, crisps, and salads
- With coronation slaw (cabbage, carrot, raisins, curry mayo)
- Topped with toasted almonds for crunch
Variations: Coronation Chicken
- Extra‑Creamy Coronation Chicken — add more mayo or Greek yoghurt for a richer, silkier dressing.
- Coronation Chicken with Mango — stir in fresh or diced mango for juicy sweetness that lifts the curry flavour.
- Coronation Chicken with Apricots — add chopped dried apricots for a classic fruity twist with soft texture.
- Coronation Chicken with Sultanas — include sultanas for gentle sweetness and a traditional finish.
- Coronation Chicken with Almonds — add toasted flaked almonds for nutty crunch that complements the creamy sauce.
- Coronation Chicken with Extra Curry — increase curry powder for a deeper, more aromatic flavour.
- Coronation Chicken with Chutney‑Rich Dressing — add extra mango chutney for sweetness and a glossy finish.
- Coronation Chicken with Spinach — fold in chopped spinach for colour and freshness.
- Coronation Chicken with Peppers — add finely diced peppers for crunch and gentle sweetness.
- Coronation Chicken with Spring Onions — stir in spring onions for sharpness that balances the creamy dressing.
- Coronation Chicken with Greek Yoghurt — swap some mayo for yoghurt for a lighter, tangier version.
- Coronation Chicken with Herbs — finish with coriander or parsley for brightness that lifts the warm spices.
- Coronation Chicken with Mild Heat — add a pinch of chilli flakes for subtle warmth without overpowering the sweetness.
- Coronation Chicken with Raisins — use raisins instead of sultanas for a softer, sweeter fruit note
Coronation chicken
Coronation chicken with tender pieces coated in a creamy curried sauce, dotted with sultanas and herbs, creating a colourful, glossy mixture that looks fresh, vibrant and inviting.
Equipment
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cooked
- 100 g natural yoghurt
- 150 g mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tbsp mango chutney
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp sultanas
- large pinch of salt
- pinch of cayenne pepper to garnish
- coriander, to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the cooked chicken and place it in a mixing bowl. This can be either shredded or cut into bite size chunks.
- To make the sauce, in a separate bowl, add the natural yogurt, mayonnaise, mango chutney, curry powder, lemon juice and sultanas and combine together..
- Add the chicken to the sauce and mix until all the chicken is fully coated and season with a pinch of salt and garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and coriander.
- Serve the coronation chicken chilled, either in a jacket potato, sandwiches, wraps, toasted bagel, or simply with a simple green salad.