Name: Easy Curried Coronation Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: English
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 tablespoon curry powder; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup creme fraiche; 3 tablespoon mango chutney; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped; 1/4 cup golden raisins; 1/8 cup slivered almonds; Chopped fresh parsley; White bread; Crackers

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If you've never had this, you are in for a treat with this curried coronation chicken salad recipe. Similar to a traditional chicken salad, a few simple additions make the coronation salad a hit. Rich flavors from curry, the crisp bite of celery, perfectly cooked chicken, and of course, a sweet addition in golden raisins, make this a favorite in our house.

Coronation Chicken Salad Recipe

The first time I had coronation chicken salad was when my husband and I spent an anniversary weekend in a small resort town that had a lovely tea shop. We sat down to "high tea" and one of the many finger sandwiches on our plates was coronation chicken salad.

The first bite told me that it would be something I would work to recreate at home. This recipe was the result of a few trial and error efforts, all of which tasted delicious. If you enjoy the flavors of curry, then this is sure to be a favorite. A little sweet and a whole lot savory, this is a great lunch or sandwich spread.

Where Did Coronation Chicken Salad Originate?

The first version of coronation chicken was created by renowned English food writer, Constance Spry, and chef Rosemary Hume. It was actually created as an addition to the menu served for Queen Elizabeth's II coronation in 1953. A simple cold chicken dish was spiced with freshly made curry powder, dried apricots, and a creamy sauce.

Modern versions include mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, or creme fraiche as the base of the sauce. Dried curry powder blends or curry paste are added for flavor while mix-ins may include slivered almonds, dried apricots, or golden raisins.

Does All Coronation Chicken Salad Have Curry?

While traditionally coronation chicken has a curry powder or curry paste added to the creamy dressing, some options do not. In some instances, the herb blend will be more fresh herbs or Italian herbs with less of a curry presence. While I wouldn't call that coronation chicken, some do name it that.

If you aren't a big fan of curry flavor, you can use just a few of the spices traditional to curry rather than a pre-made curry powder for flavor. Garlic, onion, turmeric, and oregano are all great additions that come together for a delicious flavor.

What Should I Serve This With?

Chicken salad is most often served on soft white bread or sourdough bread. For traditional high tea, it would be served on white bread with no crusts. With a slightly sweeter flavor, I think it would also fit beautifully with Hawaiian sweet bread. In fact, Hawaiian bread slider buns are a great choice for this salad.

If you prefer, it can also be served over a nice bed of fresh greens or with a side of crackers. A nice whole grain cracker or sesame cracker compliments the flavors beautifully.

How Long is Chicken Salad Good?

When making any dish with a mayonnaise base that is mixed in with other ingredients, I prefer to eat within 3 days. It is best the first day but is safe to eat for up to 3 days after preparing.

When storing this recipe, make sure it is placed in an airtight container and refrigerated within 3 hours of preparation. If you plan to serve on bread as a sandwich, I recommend waiting to prepare on bread until ready to serve so the bread doesn't get soggy or stale.

Can I Use Rotisserie Chicken for Chicken Salad?

You can definitely cut corners and save time by using shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken for this recipe. This is a great way to use up leftover chicken or to save a bit of time in the kitchen. Just remove any skin and pull the chicken from the bones and then chop into bite-sized pieces before mixing with the rest of the ingredients.

You may also use canned chicken that has been drained. It will provide a slightly different texture in the mixture, but the results will taste just as delicious once mixed together.

What if I Can't Find Creme Fraiche?

If you can't find creme fraiche in your local grocery store, you can simply substitute sour cream. If you are looking for ways to cut calories, nonfat plain Greek yogurt is another great choice for use in place of the creme fraiche.

Ingredients

Chicken breast
Curry powder
Mayonnaise
Creme fraiche
Mango chutney
Worcestershire sauce
Celery
Dried apricots
Golden raisins
Almonds

Optional for serving: Parsley, white bread, or crackers

How to Make Coronation Chicken Salad

Add the chicken breasts to a large stockpot and cover with cold water.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes until cooked through.

Once the chicken has cooked, drain, and set aside to cool.

While the chicken is cooling, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the curry powder to the skillet and toast for 30-second stirring constantly then remove from heat immediately and pour into a large bowl.

Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

To the curry powder, add the mayonnaise, creme fraiche, and Worcestershire sauce and stir.

Add in the mango chutney, celery, dried apricots, and almonds and stir.

Add the chopped chicken to the bowl and stir into the dressing mixture.

Serve with fresh chopped parsley and your choice of bread, crackers, or toast.

More Yummy Lunch Ideas

Chicken salad is a great choice for lunch, but I have tons of other great ideas that are just as easy to throw together. Whether you need something cold or warm, below are some great choices for a delicious lunch.

Chef's Tip

While I like making this recipe with chunks of chicken, you can also easily shred the chicken. One easy trick for shredding chicken is to use your hand mixer in a large bowl. Simply drain the cooked chicken and put into a deep bowl then use the mixer on low speed to "shred" the chicken fast and easily.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6