This flavour-packed Hairy Bikers Coronation Chicken recipe is made with tender cooked chicken, creamy mayonnaise, tangy Greek yogurt, sweet mango chutney, and gentle curry spices. This recipe creates a perfectly balanced, creamy, and tangy chicken salad that is wonderfully satisfying and full of flavour. Perfect for a light summer lunch, a picnic, or for filling sandwiches, this refreshing classic is incredibly easy to whip up and serves 4-6 people.
Hairy Bikers Coronation Chicken Ingredients
- 500g (about 3 medium) cooked chicken breasts, cooled and shredded or chopped
- 150g (2/3 cup) good-quality mayonnaise
- 100g (1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp) full-fat Greek yogurt or crème fraîche
- 2-3 teaspoons mild curry powder, to taste
- 3 tablespoons mango chutney
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- Juice of 1/2 a lime
- 50g (1/3 cup) dried apricots or sultanas, finely chopped
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- Small handful of fresh coriander, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How To Make Hairy Bikers Coronation Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Ensure your cooked chicken is completely cool. Using two forks or your fingers, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large bowl. If you prefer, you can chop it with a knife.
- Make the sauce: In a separate medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, mango chutney, tomato purée, and lime juice. Stir everything together with a whisk or spoon until the sauce is smooth and an even pale orange colour.
- Combine all ingredients: Pour the creamy sauce over the shredded chicken. Add the chopped dried apricots or sultanas, the finely sliced spring onions, and the chopped fresh coriander to the bowl.
- Mix thoroughly: Gently fold everything together with a spatula until the chicken and other ingredients are completely coated in the sauce.
- Season and chill: Season with a little salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. For the best flavour, cover the bowl and chill the Coronation Chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow all the flavours to meld together beautifully.
Recipe Tips
- Toast your curry powder: For a deeper, more aromatic flavour, gently toast the curry powder in a small, dry frying pan over a low heat for 30-60 seconds. Tip it out of the pan as soon as it becomes fragrant and allow it to cool before mixing it into your sauce.
- Use good quality mayonnaise: The mayonnaise is the backbone of the sauce, so using a good-quality, creamy, and full-fat version will make a significant difference to the richness and overall taste of the finished dish.
- Let the flavours meld: Don’t be tempted to skip the chilling time! Just 30 minutes in the fridge allows the sweet, spicy, and creamy flavours to mingle and develop, resulting in a much more delicious Coronation Chicken.
- A great way to use leftovers: This recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover chicken from a Sunday roast. Simply pull all the meat from the bones, discard any skin, and chop or shred it before mixing with the sauce.
What To Serve Coronation Chicken
This classic Coronation Chicken is incredibly versatile. It’s most famously served as a filling for sandwiches on soft white or wholemeal bread, often with a few crisp lettuce leaves. It also makes a wonderful light lunch served with a simple green salad or a fluffy jacket potato. For a more substantial meal, serve it alongside a rice salad studded with peas and peppers.
How To Store Coronation Chicken Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well and the flavours will continue to develop for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick and easy lunches.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The mayonnaise-based sauce is an emulsion that will separate and become watery when thawed, which unfortunately ruins the signature creamy texture of the dish.
Hairy Bikers Coronation Chicken Recipe Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 12g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 10g
- Protein: 30g
Frequently Asked Questions
- What exactly is Coronation Chicken? Coronation Chicken is a classic British dish that was invented to be served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The original recipe, “Poulet Reine Elizabeth,” featured a creamy, mayonnaise-based sauce flavoured with curry spices and apricot to celebrate the flavours of the Commonwealth.
- How do I cook chicken for this recipe? The simplest method is to gently poach chicken breasts. Place them in a saucepan and cover with water or chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Let them cool completely before shredding. Alternatively, you can roast them or use any leftover cooked chicken.
- Can I make it spicier? Yes. For more heat, you can use a medium or hot curry powder instead of a mild one. You could also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped fresh red chilli to the sauce for an extra kick.
- What can I use instead of mango chutney? The most classic and common substitute for mango chutney is apricot jam or apricot conserve. It provides a similar level of sweetness and fruitiness to the sauce.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Beef Rendang Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Veggie Wellington Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Tartiflette Recipe
Hairy Bikers Coronation Chicken Recipe
Description
A classic, flavour-packed Coronation Chicken recipe inspired by the Hairy Bikers. This dish features tender shredded chicken in a creamy, tangy, and mildly spiced sauce with mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and sweet mango chutney. It’s the perfect filling for sandwiches or a delicious light lunch.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Place the cooled, shredded chicken in a large bowl.
- Make sauce: In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, curry powder, mango chutney, tomato purée, and lime juice until smooth.
- Combine: Pour the sauce over the chicken. Add the chopped apricots, spring onions, and coriander.
- Mix: Fold everything together until the chicken is well coated.
- Chill and serve: Season with salt and pepper. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
