Coronation Chicken Salad

This Coronation Chicken Salad recipe is a royally delicious dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy, sweet, and spicy dressing.  It’s a coronation fit for your taste buds and is perfect for a light lunch or picnic.

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a plate of lettuce topped with coronation chicken salad.

Why we love this recipe

You can step into a culinary time capsule with this classic British recipe, a delightful memento from the 1950s when London celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation

It is also packed with protein and is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free!

coronation chicken salad on a plate.

The history of Coronation Chicken

The original recipe was created by Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume for the coronation luncheon. Hume was one of the first British people to be trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Later, she became the principal of the London Le Cordon Bleu school and created Poulet Reine Elizabeth, later known as Coronation Chicken, for one of the coronation menus on June 2, 1953.

In fact, it is similar to the first version of Jubilee chicken that was created for the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935.

History in the making!

This chicken salad became a big lunch favourite back then for street parties and is now a fabulous family picnic dinner.

With the upcoming coronation of Charles – and everyone loving “The Crown” why not emulate the traditional lunch? We can all be king and queen for the day.

Ingredients

  • mayonnaise – I’m a big fan of homemade mayo! Try it out if you haven’t. It is surprisingly easy to make your own mayo. Unflavored Greek yogurt, sour cream, and crème fraîche can also be substituted.
  • lemon juice – you can easily substitute lime juice instead.
  • apricot preserves – I prefer a brand that offers a *no sugar added* option. You could also use a couple of tablespoons of mango chutney.
  • fine sea salt – the fine variety dissolves easily, and provides a consistent seasoning. 
  • curry powder – adds a rich and bold flavor – sounds like royalty, right?
  • cooked chicken – poached chicken breasts are perfect for using in salads like this one as it is super tender and slices easily into bite-size pieces. Rotisserie chicken is also a great, quick option.
  • slivered almonds – roasted cashews can be substituted also *omit for nut allergies.
  • green onion – thinly slice the scallions, starting with the white part. Chives can be substituted also.
  • chopped cilantro –  save a little bit for garnishing the salad.
ingredients on a counter.

Equipment

Instructions

Let’s start with this sauce! It is delicious. It should do, considering this chicken has the royal seal of approval.

Step 1

First, stir up the dressing in a large bowl.

What I love about the sauce is the apricot jam. The punch of sweetness gets stirred into the tangy mayo and fresh lemon juice.

apricot preserves being stirred into mayo mixture.

Step 2

Next comes a punch of spice. Curry powder! It does make for a golden, regal-looking mixture. Add the curry powder and fine sea salt and stir them in to combine. 

curry powder being stirred into mayo mixture.

Step 3

Finally, stir in the cooked chicken along with fresh coriander, green onions, and slivered almonds for some crunch!

almonds and scallions being stirred into dressing.

Expert tips

Allow the flavors to marry together by refrigerating the salad for at least an hour before serving. This resting time allows the ingredients to infuse, resulting in a more flavorful dish.  

For salads, I prefer cubed chicken but in sandwiches, shredded chicken is easier to eat.

coronation chicken salad on a plate.

Recipe variations

  • For a burst of sweetness and a colorful touch, include diced fresh fruits like apples, grapes, or pomegranate seeds. 
  • Add tandoori spices, such as garam masala, cumin, and paprika, for a smoky and spicy twist. Toss in a few tablespoons of golden raisins for balance.

Serving suggestions

  • Serve on a bed of mixed greens or spinach for a light and refreshing salad option.
  • Enjoy as a filling for sandwiches. It pairs well with crusty bread, wraps, or even croissants. Add some lettuce or arugula for extra freshness.
  • The Brits also enjoy it served next to their jacket potatoes (baked potatoes).

FAQS

Can I make this salad ahead of time? 

Yes, it can be made ahead of time. In fact, it often benefits from a resting period in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld together. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it can be enjoyed within a few days.

Can I serve this recipe warm? 

While traditionally this dish is served chilled, there is no hard and fast rule against serving it warm. When I tested this recipe warm, I personally enjoyed the contrast of warm chicken with the cool, creamy dressing. If serving warm, make sure to heat the chicken separately before combining it with the dressing and other ingredients to maintain the desired texture and flavors.

Storing and Refrigerating

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

a plate of lettuce topped with coronation chicken salad.

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**This recipe was originally posted on March 25, 2021, and updated on May 4, 2023.**  

If you’ve tried my Coronation Chicken Salad, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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coronation chicken salad on a plate.

Coronation Chicken Salad

Sharon Rhodes
This Coronation Chicken Salad recipe is a royally delicious dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy, sweet, and spicy dressing.  It's a coronation fit for your taste buds and is perfect for a light lunch or picnic.
5 from 46 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, lunch, Salad
Cuisine British
Servings 4
Calories 351 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, and apricot preserves.
  • Add the curry powder and still well until the mixture is smooth.
  • Stir the cooked chicken into the mixture and coat it well, then add the slivered almonds, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. Stir it all to combine.
  • Serve over greens for a salad or enjoy in a sandwich or wrap.

Video

Notes

Storing and Refrigerating

Store any leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Can I make this salad ahead of time? 

Yes, it can be made ahead of time. In fact, it often benefits from a resting period in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld together. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge and it can be enjoyed within a few days.

Can I serve this recipe warm? 

While traditionally this dish is served chilled, there is no hard and fast rule against serving it warm. When I tested this recipe warm, I personally enjoyed the contrast of warm chicken with the cool, creamy dressing. If serving warm, make sure to heat the chicken separately before combining it with the dressing and other ingredients to maintain the desired texture and flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 23gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 231mgPotassium: 261mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
Keyword coronation chicken, coronation chicken salad recipe
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16 Comments

  1. Oh wow. Always looking for new salad recipes. Tryna watch my diet and all so thanks for this! Hahaha

    1. My pleasure! These types of chicken salads are great for meal prep which totally helps with those healthy eating goals. 🙂 Thanks, Christian!

  2. This coronation chicken recipe look good.
    And easy steps to prepare it.
    Thank you for sharing

  3. 5 stars
    So yummy, I like that it’s yellow and green. Makes me want to eat it now. My favorite color and it looks delicious haha. Thank you for sharing tips too!

      1. Now I know what I’ll be making for dinner tomorrow. I was wondering where the name “coronation” came from but I’m glad you’ve explained that.

5 from 46 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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