Delia Smith Coronation Chicken Recipe

This Delia Smith coronation chicken is a classic British dish made with tender cooked chicken coated in a gently spiced, creamy sauce. This version uses a slightly richer dressing, giving the chicken a fuller coating and a deeper golden colour while keeping the traditional balance of curry warmth, sweetness, and richness.

It is a dependable recipe that works beautifully for sandwiches, salads, buffets, and light lunches. Easy to prepare ahead of time, it improves slightly after chilling, allowing the flavours to develop fully.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 cooked chicken breasts, skin removed and diced

For the Sauce

• 5 tbsp mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 1½ tbsp mild curry powder
• 1 tbsp mango chutney
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to Make Delia Smith Coronation Chicken Recipe

Prepare the Chicken

Dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and place into a large mixing bowl.

Make the Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt, curry powder, mango chutney, and lemon juice until smooth and evenly coloured.

Combine Everything

Pour the sauce over the chicken and mix thoroughly until the pieces are generously coated in a creamy dressing rather than lightly covered. Season with salt and black pepper.

Chill Before Serving

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavours to develop.

Finish and Serve

Just before serving, scatter over a little chopped fresh parsley or coriander and a twist of black pepper.

Recipe Tips

Use freshly cooked or good-quality roast chicken for best flavour.
Taste before chilling and adjust seasoning if needed.
If the sauce feels too thick, loosen it with a teaspoon of milk or water.
For the best texture, avoid shredding the chicken — diced pieces hold the dressing better.

Healthy Alternatives / Variations

Replace part of the mayonnaise with extra yoghurt for a lighter version.
Add chopped fresh coriander or parsley for extra freshness.
Use leftover roast chicken to reduce waste.
For extra crunch, serve with toasted seeds or crisp lettuce rather than adding nuts to the mix.

How to Serve

Serve the coronation chicken chilled, piled generously onto crisp salad leaves or spooned into sandwiches and wraps. It is also excellent served in jacket potatoes or as part of a buffet spread.

Pairing Ideas

Soft white or wholemeal bread for sandwiches
Crisp green salad with cucumber and lettuce
Warm jacket potatoes
Pitta bread or wraps
A cup of tea for a light lunch

How to Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freezing is not recommended due to the creamy dressing.

Reheating

No reheating required; serve chilled.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

Calories: 360 kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 25g

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, it works very well and saves time.

Why is my sauce too runny?

Too much yoghurt or lemon juice can thin the dressing. Add a little extra mayonnaise to thicken it.

Can I make this a day ahead?

Yes, it tastes even better the next day.

Is coronation chicken spicy?

No, it is gently spiced rather than hot.

Delia Smith Coronation Chicken Recipe

Recipe by Margaret CollinsCourse: Main, SaladCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Beginner

Servings

4

people

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Total time

75

minutes

Calories

360

kcal

Classic British coronation chicken with tender diced chicken in a creamy, gently spiced curry dressing. Ideal for sandwiches, salads, and buffets.

Ingredients

• 4 cooked chicken breasts, skin removed and diced

• 5 tbsp mayonnaise

• 3 tbsp Greek yoghurt

• 1½ tbsp mild curry powder

• 1 tbsp mango chutney

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Place the diced cooked chicken into a large mixing bowl.
• Mix mayonnaise, yoghurt, curry powder, mango chutney, and lemon juice in a separate bowl until smooth.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken and mix thoroughly until well coated.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Garnish with herbs and serve chilled.

Notes

• Use good-quality cooked or roast chicken for best flavour.
• If the sauce is too thick, loosen with a teaspoon of milk or water.
• Chilling improves the flavour and texture.