Mary Berry​ Coronation Chicken Recipe

This creamy Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe is made with tender poached chicken, smooth mayonnaise, sweet mango chutney, mild curry powder, and plump sultanas. The result is a beautifully balanced and flavourful dish that is savory, sweet, and wonderfully tangy. It’s a perfect light lunch, ideal for filling sandwiches or serving at garden parties and picnics, making enough for 4-6 people.

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Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe Ingredients

For the Poached Chicken:

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 650g)
• 1 celery stick, roughly chopped
• 1/2 onion, quartered
• A few black peppercorns

For the Coronation Sauce:

• 3/4 cup (180g) good-quality mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (60g) crème fraîche or full-fat Greek yogurt
• 2-3 tsp mild curry powder, to taste
• 3 tbsp mango chutney
• 1/4 cup (40g) sultanas or dried apricots, chopped
• 2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds
• 2 spring onions, finely sliced
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How To Make Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe

1. Poach the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan with the celery, onion, and peppercorns. Add enough cold water to just cover the chicken. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Turn off the heat and let the chicken cool completely in the liquid.
2. Shred the chicken: Once cooled, remove the chicken from the poaching liquid and shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your fingers. Discard the poaching liquid and vegetables.
3. Prepare the sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, crème fraîche, mild curry powder, and mango chutney. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and evenly colored.
4. Combine the ingredients: Add the shredded chicken to the sauce. Fold in the sultanas (or apricots), toasted flaked almonds, and finely sliced spring onions. Stir gently until everything is well-coated in the creamy sauce.
5. Chill and serve: Squeeze in the lemon juice and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Stir one last time, then cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Poach for Tenderness: Poaching the chicken is a gentle cooking method that ensures the meat is incredibly moist and tender, which is perfect for a chicken salad.
• Cool the Chicken Completely: Make sure the chicken has cooled down to room temperature before mixing it with the mayonnaise-based sauce. Adding warm chicken can cause the sauce to become oily and split.
• Toast Your Almonds: Don’t skip toasting the flaked almonds. This simple step takes only a few minutes in a dry pan but deeply enhances their nutty flavor and adds a lovely, welcome crunch.
• Let It Rest: Chilling the finished Coronation Chicken for at least 30 minutes is key. This gives the curry powder, chutney, and other ingredients time to mingle and develop a richer, more cohesive flavor.

What To Serve Coronation Chicken

Coronation Chicken is wonderfully versatile. For a classic lunch, serve it as a sandwich filling in soft, thick-sliced white or wholemeal bread with a few crisp lettuce leaves. It is also delicious served in a baked jacket potato or alongside a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing. For an elegant appetizer or party food, spoon the mixture into small lettuce cups, like baby gem or romaine hearts.

How To Store Coronation Chicken Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Coronation Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure it is not left at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze Coronation Chicken. The mayonnaise and crème fraîche in the sauce will separate and become watery when thawed, ruining the creamy texture of the dish.

Mary Berry Coronation Chicken Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 485 kcal
• Total Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 110mg
• Sodium: 450mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 15g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 28g

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I use leftover roast chicken? Absolutely! Using leftover roast chicken is a fantastic and traditional way to make this dish. Simply shred or dice the cooked meat (you will need about 3 cups) and mix it with the sauce.
• What if I don’t have crème fraîche? If you don’t have crème fraîche, you can substitute it with an equal amount of full-fat Greek yogurt for a similar tangy flavor, or simply use extra mayonnaise for a richer sauce.
• Is this recipe very spicy? No, this recipe is traditionally mild and fragrant rather than spicy. It uses a mild curry powder for flavor. If you prefer a bit more heat, you can use a medium curry powder or add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Can I make Coronation Chicken in advance? Yes, it’s a great recipe to make ahead of time. You can prepare it up to one day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. The flavors will actually be even better the next day.

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder With Potatoes​
• Mary Berry Slow Roasted Lamb​ Recipe
• Mary Berry Miso Salmon​ Recipe