Looking for a cold chicken dish with creamy texture, mild curry flavour, and a balance of sweet and savoury notes? This Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe brings together tender cooked chicken, a creamy dressing, mango chutney, dried fruit, and gentle spices for a versatile dish suited to lunches, picnics, afternoon teas, and gatherings.
The recipe is simple to prepare, with the chicken coated in the curry dressing before the dried fruit and garnishes are added. Read on to see the equipment and ingredients needed, the preparation method, serving ideas, storage guidance, answers to common questions, and the available nutrition information.
Equipment
Equipments for Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe:
To prepare this recipe, you need a few simple kitchen tools to mix, prepare, and serve the dish. A large mixing bowl helps combine the chicken and sauce, while a serving dish creates an attractive presentation. These cooking equipment items make the preparation process easy and organised.
- Large mixing bowl – Useful for combining the chicken, sauce, and other ingredients evenly.
- Medium mixing bowl – Helps prepare and mix the creamy curry dressing before adding it to the chicken.
- Knife – Needed for chopping ingredients such as dried fruits or herbs.
- Chopping board – Provides a safe surface for preparing ingredients.
- Serving dish – Used to present the finished Coronation Chicken attractively.
- Platter – Ideal for serving the dish at buffets, picnics, or gatherings.
- Frying pan – Useful if preparing or heating certain ingredients before combining them.
- Saucepan – Helps with any cooking or preparation that requires gentle heating.
- Cooking thermometer – Useful for checking chicken temperature when cooking fresh chicken.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
Ingredients for Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe:
Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe uses simple ingredients to create a creamy, mildly spiced chicken dish with a perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours. The combination of shredded chicken, creamy dressing, and traditional curry flavours makes this recipe ideal for sandwiches, salads, picnics, and buffet spreads. Use good-quality ingredients for the best taste and texture.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
| Cooked chicken | 500g |
| Mayonnaise | 6 tbsp |
| Greek yoghurt | 100ml |
| Mango chutney | 2–3 tbsp |
| Mild curry powder | 2–3 tsp |
| Ground cinnamon | ½ tsp |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp |
| Sultanas | 2 tbsp |
| Dried apricots | 3, chopped |
| Flaked almonds | 2–3 tbsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Fresh coriander | For garnish |
How to Make Mary Berry Coronation Chicken
- Prepare the Coronation Chicken mixture by placing the mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt into a large mixing bowl. Stir them together until smooth and well combined.
- Add the mild curry powder, ground cinnamon, mango chutney, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well to create a creamy curry dressing with a balanced flavour.
- Add the shredded chicken to the bowl and gently fold it into the dressing. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Stir in the sultanas and chopped dried apricots for a sweet and savoury flavour. Mix carefully so the ingredients stay evenly distributed throughout the dish.
- Transfer the finished chicken mixture to a serving dish or platter. Sprinkle with flaked almonds and fresh coriander before serving.
- Chill the dish before serving to allow the flavours to develop. Serve the Coronation Chicken cold with sandwiches, salads, or jacket potatoes.
Expert Tips for Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe
A few simple techniques can help you achieve the best results when making this recipe. From my cooking experience, allowing the flavours to blend and choosing the right chicken texture makes a noticeable difference. These tips will help create a creamy, flavourful, and well-balanced dish every time.
- Use good-quality cooked chicken for the best flavour and a tender texture.
- Avoid adding too much curry powder at once; adjust gradually to match your preferred spice level.
- Let the Coronation Chicken rest in the fridge before serving so the flavours can combine properly.
- Chop dried apricots into small pieces to spread the sweetness evenly throughout the dish.
- Add flaked almonds just before serving to keep their texture crisp.
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled juice for a brighter flavour.
- If the sauce feels too thick, add a little more yoghurt to create a smoother consistency.
- Keep the curry flavour mild if serving the dish for family meals or afternoon teas.
- Always taste the seasoning before serving and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
Serving Suggestions
How to serve Mary Berry Coronation Chicken:
Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe is a versatile cold chicken dish that works beautifully for lunches, celebrations, and casual gatherings. Serve it with fresh sides, crunchy toppings, and refreshing drinks to enhance the creamy curry flavours. It is a great choice for picnics, afternoon tea, and summer occasions.
- Serve as a coronation chicken sandwich filling with soft bread or rolls.
- Enjoy with wraps for an easy and delicious light lunch.
- Add to fresh salads with green salad leaves for a lighter meal.
- Serve alongside jacket potatoes or baked potatoes for a filling option.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and flaked almonds for extra flavour and texture.
- Present on a serving platter for buffet spreads and family gatherings.
- Pair with a refreshing lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water during summer gatherings.
- Serve at royal celebrations, picnics, and special occasions.
Storage
How to store Mary Berry Coronation Chicken:
Room Temperature
- Avoid leaving coronation chicken at room temperature for longer than 2 hours.
- Return any leftovers to the fridge quickly to keep the dish safe and fresh.
Refrigerator
- Store coronation chicken in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated.
- This chilled dish can be stored for up to 2–3 days.
- Keep leftover chicken covered and stir well before serving again.
- It is a naturally make-ahead recipe and can be prepared in advance for gatherings.
Freezer
- Freezing is not recommended because the creamy sauce may separate and change texture.
- If frozen, store in a sealed container for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Do not refreeze previously frozen chicken.
FAQs
Q: What is Coronation Chicken?
Coronation Chicken is a classic British chicken salad with a creamy curry-flavoured dressing. The dish was created in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II coronation celebrations and has remained popular ever since.
Q: Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use leftover chicken as long as it has been stored safely. Shredded or chopped cooked chicken works well in this recipe.
Q: Can Coronation Chicken be made ahead?
Yes, this recipe is ideal to prepare in advance. Making it a few hours before serving allows the flavours to develop and blend together.
Q: How should I store Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe?
To store coronation chicken, place it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. It is best enjoyed within 2–3 days for the best flavour and freshness.
Q: Can I freeze Coronation Chicken?
Freezing is not recommended because the creamy dressing can become watery after thawing. The texture of this cold chicken salad is best when served fresh or refrigerated.
Q: What chicken should I use for Coronation Chicken?
You can use cooked chicken breast or other tender chicken pieces. Shredded chicken gives the recipe the traditional texture and helps the sauce coat evenly.
Q: How do I serve Coronation Chicken?
You can serve it in sandwiches, wraps, salads, or with jacket potatoes. Add fresh garnishes like herbs or almonds for extra presentation.
Nutrition
The following nutrition information is an approximate guide based on one serving size of Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe. Values may vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities used.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
| Calories | 420 calories |
| Protein | 28g protein |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Sugars | 9g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Fibre | 2g |
| Sodium/Salt | 1.2g |
These approximate nutritional values are based on a creamy chicken salad serving and may change with ingredient substitutions.
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