Easy Royal Coronation Chicken Recipe by Jamie Oliver

Coronation chicken carries the delicious legacy of royal culinary celebrations, bridging traditional British flavors with modern dining preferences.

Royal chefs originally crafted this iconic dish for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation banquet in 1953.

Creamy, tangy, and subtly spiced, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal that speaks volumes about cultural cuisine.

Tender chicken becomes a canvas for vibrant, complex flavors that dance between sweet and savory notes.

Balanced ingredients merge in a harmonious blend that elevates everyday proteins into something truly spectacular.

Such a versatile recipe works wonderfully for casual lunches, elegant gatherings, or quick family meals.

Prepare to experience a culinary classic that continues to delight generations of food enthusiasts: get ready to master this legendary dish.

Pointers for a Fabulous Jamie Oliver Coronation Chicken

• Elevate Flavor Depth: Toast curry powder in a dry pan for 30 seconds to release its aromatic oils and intensify the overall taste profile.
• Texture Transformation: Shred chicken by hand instead of cutting with a knife to create more surface area for sauce absorption and a more rustic texture.
• Customize Creatively: Mix in unexpected ingredients like diced mango or pomegranate seeds for surprising bursts of freshness and color.
• Creaminess Control: Let mayonnaise come to room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother, more even sauce distribution.
• Maximize Leftovers: Repurpose coronation chicken as a sandwich filling, salad topper, or stuffing for wraps to prevent food waste.

Preserving Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in flavor and freshness by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air which prevents oxidation and bacterial growth, keeping your coronation chicken tastier for longer.
• Portion Control Strategy: Divide coronation chicken into single-serving containers before refrigerating. Small portions cool faster, reduce contamination risks, and make reheating or quick meal prep incredibly convenient. This approach prevents unnecessary waste and maintains optimal taste quality.
• Glass Container Technique: Transfer coronation chicken to clear glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass doesn't absorb odors, maintains ingredient integrity, and allows easy visual inspection of food condition. These containers are microwave-safe, making future reheating simple and efficient.

Creative Variations on Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken

• Spicy Coronation Kick: Add sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce for an extra heat punch. Swap regular curry powder with hot madras curry powder to elevate the spice level.
• Herb Garden Coronation: Incorporate fresh herbs like chopped mint, parsley, or chives into the sauce. Mix in some finely chopped fresh cilantro for a bright, zesty flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Fusion Coronation: Replace apricots with sun-dried tomatoes and add crumbled feta cheese. Introduce dried oregano and a splash of olive oil to give Mediterranean character to the classic recipe.
• Lighter Wellness Version: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and crème fraîche. Add shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience and reduce overall fat content while maintaining great flavor.

Wrap-Up on Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken Recipe

Coronation Chicken whispers royal elegance through its creamy, tangy sauce and tender meat morsels.

British culinary heritage dances on palates with each spoonful of this classic dish.

Generations have savored this regal recipe since Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953.

Jamie Oliver’s version elevates traditional ingredients with contemporary flair and balanced spices.

Culinary explorers can experience imperial flavors through this simple yet sophisticated preparation.

Readers who love global cuisine will adore sharing this historical recipe with friends, garnering social media praise, sparking conversation, and celebrating delicious British tradition.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken Recipe Is So Popular

• Unlock Effortless Flavor Fusion: Jamie Oliver's Coronation Chicken blends sweet, tangy, and creamy elements with a curry-inspired sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet delight.
• Quick Culinary Creativity: This recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Versatile Meal Magician: Enjoy this dish as a salad, rice topping, sandwich filling, or stuffed potato companion, offering endless possibilities for lunch, picnics, or casual gatherings.
• Sensory Texture Symphony: The recipe combines smooth, creamy sauce with tender chicken chunks and optional crunchy almond flakes, creating a multi-dimensional eating experience that delights both palate and texture preferences.

Ingredients Required for Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken

• Chicken: Classic protein for Coronation Chicken, tender and versatile white meat perfect for absorbing sauce flavors.
• Almonds: Crunchy topping that adds texture and nutty depth to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Smooth base for sautéing aromatics, helps develop deep flavor.
• Onion: Aromatic foundation that provides sweet undertones to the sauce.
• Bay Leaf: Traditional spice that adds subtle herbal complexity.
• Curry Powder: Signature spice blend giving Coronation Chicken its distinctive warmth.
• Tomato Paste: Rich base that enhances sauce's depth and color.
• Red Wine: Adds sophisticated richness and complexity to the sauce.
• Water: Helps adjust sauce consistency and blend ingredients.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that binds the sauce and provides smooth texture.
• Crème Fraîche: Adds luxurious richness and tangy flavor to the sauce.
• Apricots: Sweet dried fruit that introduces gentle sweetness and texture.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that balances and lifts the sauce flavors.
• Sugar: Subtle sweetener to round out sauce's complex profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.

How to Put Together Jamie Oliver’s Coronation Chicken

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

• 1 chopped onion
• 1 bay leaf
• Curry powder

Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.

Step 2: Create Flavor Foundation

• Tomato paste
• Red wine
• Water

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

Step 3: Enhance Sauce Complexity

• Lemon juice
• 1 pinch sugar
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper

Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce slightly reduces.

Step 4: Strain and Cool Sauce

Strain the sauce through a fine sieve into a clean bowl. Allow to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 5: Prepare Creamy Mixture

• Cooled sauce
• Mayonnaise
• Crème fraîche
• Chopped dried apricots

Step 6: Combine Chicken

• Cooked chicken chunks
• Optional: toasted almond flakes

Step 7: Serve With Creativity

• As a refreshing salad
• Topped over rice
• Stuffed in jacket potatoes
• Spread in sandwiches
• Served as a party appetizer

Jamie Oliver Coronation Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s coronation chicken brings British culinary heritage to life with zingy yogurt, tender chicken, and aromatic spices. Golden raisins and almonds add delightful texture, making this classic dish a perfect lunch or picnic companion you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2 large skinless chicken breasts (600 g or 21.2 ounces or 6 cups), cooked and shredded or cut into chunks

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons mild curry powder
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon double-concentrated tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons white onion (or 1 shallot), finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon brown sugar
• Salt & pepper to taste

Liquid and Creamy Components:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 60 ml (2 fluid ounces) red wine
• 60 ml (2 fluid ounces) water
• 200 g (7.1 ounces) mayonnaise
• 125 g (4.4 ounces) creme fraiche (or unsweetened whipped cream)
• 1 tablespoon dried apricots, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons toasted almond flakes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Initiate the sauce preparation by gently warming olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-low temperature, creating a fragrant base for the Coronation sauce.
2. Introduce aromatic ingredients including diced onions, a whole bay leaf, and rich curry powder, sautéing for approximately 2 minutes to develop complex flavor profiles.
3. Pour in concentrated tomato paste, robust red wine, and clean water, allowing the mixture to reach a delicate simmer that promotes ingredient integration.
4. Enhance the sauce’s depth by incorporating freshly squeezed lemon juice, a subtle touch of granulated sugar, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, continuing to simmer for 2 minutes until the liquid reduces slightly.
5. Strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to ensure a smooth, refined texture, then allow the mixture to cool completely at room temperature.
6. In a generously sized mixing bowl, blend the cooled sauce with creamy mayonnaise, luxurious crème fraîche, and finely chopped dried apricots, creating a harmonious and rich coating.
7. Gently fold tender, pre-cooked chicken chunks into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly and generously coated with the flavorful mixture.
8. For added texture and nutty complexity, sprinkle toasted almond flakes throughout the chicken mixture.
9. Serve the Coronation Chicken as a versatile dish – atop fresh salad greens, accompanying steamed rice, stuffed within fluffy jacket potatoes, or nestled between soft sandwich bread.

Notes

• Toasting almond flakes provides a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that transforms the dish’s texture and flavor profile.
• Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives sprinkled on top create an unexpected burst of bright, fresh flavor.
• Originally crafted to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, this dish has become a cherished British culinary tradition.
• Incredibly adaptable, the recipe can easily morph into sandwiches, salads, or a delicious accompaniment served over fluffy rice.
• Stores perfectly in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy home cooks.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 487 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 39 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 29 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 91 mg