Coronation chicken is a classic British dish that originated as a celebratory dish for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. This recipe serves 8 people and features tender chicken in a creamy and flavorful curry-based sauce. The chicken is poached in a fragrant broth and then mixed with a delicious sauce made from curry paste, tomato purée, red wine, and other ingredients. The result is a creamy and savory chicken salad that is perfect for sandwiches, salads, or as a standalone dish.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 lemon
- 2.3kg/5lb chicken
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 carrot, quartered
- 8 black peppercorns, crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 15g/1/2oz butter
- 1 tablespoon curry paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 125ml/4fl oz red wine
- 1 bay leaf
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2-3 teaspoons apricot jam
- 300ml/10fl oz mayonnaise
- 125ml/4fl oz double or whipping cream, whipped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Watercress, to garnish
PREPARATIONS:
- Place the lemon in the cavity of the chicken and place the chicken in a saucepan that fits it snugly. Add the onion, carrot, peppercorns, and salt to the pan.
- Add enough water to the pan to come two-thirds of the way up the chicken. Bring it to a boil, then cover and cook gently for about 1 1/2 hours until the chicken juices run clear.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and pour the cooking liquid over it. Allow it to cool. Once cooled, remove the meat from the chicken, discarding the skin and bones. Chop or tear the meat into bite-size pieces.
- To make the sauce, sweat the chopped onion in butter until soft in a frying pan. Add the curry paste, tomato purée, red wine, bay leaf, and lemon juice. Cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the apricot jam and then pass the mixture through a sieve. Let it cool.
- Beat the cooled sauce into the mayonnaise. Fold in the whipped cream and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chicken pieces until evenly coated. Chill the coronation chicken until ready to serve. Garnish with watercress.
YIELD:
- This recipe serves 8 people.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Ensure that the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 75°C/165°F.
- Handle raw chicken with care and follow proper food safety guidelines to prevent cross-contamination.
TIPS:
- Coronation chicken is versatile and can be served in sandwiches, salads, or as a main dish.
- Customize the flavor by adjusting the amount of curry paste and other spices to suit your taste preferences.
- Consider adding additional ingredients to the salad, such as raisins, almonds, or chopped herbs, for extra texture and flavor.
Coronation chicken is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy and flavorful curry-based sauce. This recipe serves 8 people and provides step-by-step instructions for preparing the dish. The chicken is poached to perfection, and the sauce, made with curry paste, tomato purée, red wine, and other ingredients, adds a delicious and aromatic element to the dish. Whether served in sandwiches, salads, or as a standalone dish, coronation chicken is a classic British favorite that is sure to please.
Enjoy this delicious recipe with your friends and family!
