First served at the banquet of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, coronation chicken was potentially inspired by jubilee chicken – a dish prepared for the silver jubilee of George V.
Usually lurid yellow in colour, coronation chicken generally features a collection of spices, herbs and dried fruits all cloaked in a mayonnaise-based sauce. This coronation chicken recipe utilises leftover roast chicken, as well as incorporating apples (JAZZ apples are particularly suitable), flaked almonds, mango chutney, coriander, and an easy homemade curry powder.
A dish fit for a king and a perfect recipe for upcoming celebrations.
The Big Lunch
Britons are being invited to gather with their neighbours and take part in the thousands of Big Lunch street parties that will mark Charles’ formal accession to the throne.
The Big Lunch is an annual community lunch that has been held on the first weekend of June since 2009, but has been moved to May this year to coincide with the coronation.
It is run by the Eden Project charity and funded by the National Lottery.
Lindsay Brummitt, programme director for the Big Lunch, said they did not need to be overly extravagant and coming together as neighbours is the most important part.
She said: “The fantastic thing about the Big Lunch is that it is everybody doing it at the same time that makes it big.
“Knock on one neighbour’s door, have a cup of tea and a plate of sandwiches and you’re part of it.
“This is not about doing big party spreads, this is about lots of people taking part in a way that works for them.”
She added: “It is fantastic to have Mel along today.
“What it helps us to do is really shine a light on the great stuff we are expecting to see all over the country.”
Coronation Chicken Cooking Tips
Traditional coronation chicken recipes don’t tend to contain apple, but the crunch and slight sharpness works exceptionally well with the other key ingredients. I particularly like JAZZ apples for this purpose, with their firm flesh and sweet-sharp flavour profile with pronounced fruitiness.
For the chicken element, any leftover roast chicken is fine, but to save time this recipe will produce a delicious roast chicken which cooks in just 45 minutes due to being spatchcocked and dry-brined in salt and baking powder.
For the mango chutney element I’d suggest using a spicier, high-quality option or even making your own.
To save time, you can also use shop-bought curry powder and skip the entire section, though the flavours will be far less pronounced.
Coronation chicken is particularly versatile, delicious in sandwiches, wraps or jacket potatoes, or with rice and in salads.
Ingredients
- 1-2 apples peeled, cored and finely chopped (preferably JAZZ apples)
- 400 g leftover roast chicken
- 150 g mayonnaise
- 150 g Greek yoghurt
- 80 g mango chutney ideally a spicier one
- 50 g golden raisins
- 40 g flaked almonds toasted
- 3 spring onions roughly chopped
- 1 ½ tbsp coriander finely chopped
- ½ lemon juice only
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- ¾ tbsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Begin by toasting the flaked almonds in a clean, dry pan. Cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Set the almonds aside, then use the same pan to toast the coriander seeds, cumin, turmeric, cayenne pepper, ground ginger and cinnamon over a low heat for 2-3 minutes, again stirring often until fragrant. Cool slightly then transfer to a spice grinder or pestle and mortar and grind to a fine powder.
- Cut the cold roast chicken into chunks then place into a large mixing bowl alongside the chopped JAZZ™ Apple, toasted almonds, golden raisins, coriander and spring onions. Season with salt and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl or jug, mix the mayonnaise, yoghurt, mango chutney, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of the homemade curry powder. Spoon the liquid into the bowl with the chicken and mix to combine. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if need be.
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