This Mary Berry Coronation Chicken is a creamy and easy recipe, which is made with mild curry powder and sweet apricot jam. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, perfect for a celebratory lunch or filling for sandwiches, ready in about 45 minutes.
Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Ingredients
A classic combination for a truly traditional and elegant chicken salad.
- 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 500g total)
- 1 bay leaf
- A few black peppercorns
For the Sauce:
- 100g (about ½ cup) good-quality mayonnaise
- 100g (about ½ cup) crème fraîche or full-fat Greek yoghurt
- 2-3 teaspoons mild curry powder
- 3 tablespoons apricot jam or mango chutney
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 50g (⅓ cup) dried apricots, finely chopped
- 3 spring onions, finely sliced
- A handful of fresh coriander or parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Mary Berry Coronation Chicken
A step-by-step guide to this classic British dish.
- Poach the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Add the bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Cool and Shred: Remove the chicken from the water and let it cool completely. Once cooled, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your fingers.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, crème fraîche, curry powder, apricot jam, tomato purée, and lemon juice until you have a smooth, pale yellow sauce.
- Combine and Chill: Gently fold the shredded chicken, chopped dried apricots, sliced spring onions, and fresh coriander into the sauce. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Serve: For the best flavor, let the Coronation Chicken chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most flavorful and perfectly textured Coronation Chicken.
- How to get the most tender chicken? Gently poaching the chicken, as described in the recipe, is the classic and best method. It keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender, perfect for a creamy salad.
- Can I use leftover roast chicken? Yes, absolutely! Using leftover roast chicken is a fantastic and traditional shortcut that adds a wonderful, deep flavor to the dish. You will need about 3-4 cups of shredded cooked chicken.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, Coronation Chicken is the perfect make-ahead dish. The flavors actually improve as it sits in the refrigerator. You can make it up to two days in advance.
- How can I adjust the sweetness or spice? The flavor is easy to customize. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more apricot jam. For a spicier kick, use a medium or hot curry powder, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
What To Serve With Coronation Chicken
Classic pairings that make for a perfect lunch or light meal.
This versatile and elegant chicken salad is a British institution. It’s fantastic served:
- As a filling for sandwiches on soft, white or wholemeal bread
- Spooned into a baked jacket potato
- On a bed of crisp lettuce leaves with a simple side salad
- As part of a buffet or afternoon tea spread
How To Store Coronation Chicken
Keeping your delicious salad fresh.
- Refrigerate: Due to the mayonnaise-based sauce, Coronation Chicken must be kept cold. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Fat: 25 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Coronation Chicken is a famous British chicken salad that was invented for the coronation banquet of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It features cooked chicken in a creamy, curry-flavored mayonnaise sauce, typically with the addition of dried fruit.
Yes, but you will need to use it sparingly, as paste is much more concentrated than powder. Start with just 1 teaspoon of a mild curry paste and add more to taste.
Absolutely. While dried apricots are classic, this dish is also delicious with sultanas (golden raisins) or chopped dried mango.
Try More Recipes:
- Mary Berry Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe
- Mary Berry Chicken and Bacon Casserole Recipe
- Mary Berry Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole Recipe
Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe
Description
A classic, creamy, and easy Coronation Chicken recipe inspired by Mary Berry, featuring tender poached chicken in a mild curry and apricot mayonnaise sauce. The perfect make-ahead dish for sandwiches or a light lunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Gently poach the chicken breasts in a pan of simmering water with a bay leaf for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Let cool completely, then shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: mayonnaise, crème fraîche, curry powder, apricot jam, tomato purée, and lemon juice.
- Add the cooled, shredded chicken to the sauce.
- Gently fold in the chopped dried apricots, sliced spring onions, and fresh coriander.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- Poaching the chicken is the secret to a perfectly moist and tender result.
- This is the perfect recipe for using up leftover roast chicken.
- The flavors of this dish are even better on the second day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for parties or lunches.
- Adjust the amount of curry powder to suit your personal preference for spice.
