What to Serve with Coronation Chicken
You might be wondering what to serve with coronation chicken, a delicious and timeless classic that never goes out of style. It’s a versatile dish comprised of cold chicken, creamy sauce, and a wonderful blend of mild curry spices. It’s a fantastic choice for brunch, picnics, or as part of a delicious lunch spread.
When deciding what to serve with coronation chicken, there are several directions you can take. Considering the dish’s unique flavours, you’ll want to opt for sides that complement and balance the without overpowering the star of the show. Thankfully, there are lots of choices available that will add variety to your meal.
A few popular side dishes to consider pairing with your coronation chicken are crisp green salads, fresh crusty bread or wraps, and rice dishes like basmati rice, pilau rice or simply white rice. These options highlight the dish’s unique flavour profile while adding a touch of substance to your meal. So go ahead and try out these exciting accompaniments and enjoy a truly delightful feast with coronation chicken as the centrepiece.
The History of Coronation Chicken
The history behind this dish is quite intriguing as it dates back to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. In fact, it was specially designed for the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
The inspiration for this dish comes from its predecessor, Jubilee Chicken, which was served at King George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935. A combination of cold-cooked chicken, mayonnaise, and curry powder was a hit, and it paved the way for the birth of Coronation Chicken.
Food writers Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume are credited with creating the recipe for Coronation Chicken. They served it as part of their menu at the coronation banquet, offering it as a twist on the traditional chicken salad.
The key ingredients in Coronation Chicken are:
- Cooked chicken
- Mayonnaise
- Curry powder or paste
- Apricot purée
- Cream
- Fresh herbs
As time went on, the dish became a true classic British dish, enjoyed across the UK as a customary filling for sandwiches and a topping for a baked potato or as a stand-alone salad. Variations of the original recipe emerged, with the inclusion of ingredients such as sultanas, mango chutney, or almonds. The classic combination of creamy mayo, gentle curry spice, and tender chicken made it an enduring favourite among British tastes.
In the decades since its invention, Coronation Chicken has remained a popular choice for picnics and parties, serving as a delicious tribute to its royal roots.
Key Ingredients
Curry and Mayonnaise Base
You’ll need a curry and mayonnaise base to make a delicious coronation chicken. Start by mixing good-quality mayonnaise with some curry paste or curry powder to create a perfect blend of flavours. The curry will provide a warm, aromatic taste, while the mayonnaise adds creaminess and helps to bind everything together. You can adjust the ratio according to your preferences, adding more or less curry to suit your tastes.
For the curry paste or powder, you have several options. You can use a mild or hot curry powder, depending on how much heat you prefer. Alternatively, try experimenting with different curry pastes, such as Madras or Korma, to find the one that best suits your tastes.
Additional Ingredients
Once you have your curry and mayonnaise base, it’s time to add some extra ingredients to your coronation chicken. Here are some suggestions:
- Vegetable oil: A little vegetable oil goes a long way in keeping your coronation chicken moist and juicy. Adding a small amount can help prevent the chicken from drying out while allowing the flavours of the curry and mayonnaise to fully integrate.
- Salt and pepper: Season your coronation chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. These simple seasonings will help to enhance the flavours of the other ingredients.
- Optional ingredients: You can also include other ingredients to add extra layers of flavour to your coronation chicken. Consider incorporating:
- Chopped red or green peppers for crunch
- Diced onion or spring onion for a subtle sweetness
- Fresh coriander or parsley leaves for a herby freshness
- Toasted almonds or cashews for a nutty crunch
- Plumped raisins, sultanas, or dried apricots for a touch of sweetness
Experiment with these additional ingredients to find a coronation chicken that’s uniquely yours. The key to a great coronation chicken lies in finding the perfect balance of flavours and textures that suit your tastes.
Main Serving Options
Salads and Rice
A lovely and healthy addition to your coronation chicken dish is a selection of salads and rice. A simple mixed greens salad with cherry tomatoes and cucumber freshens up your plate. If you’re looking for something more filling, a wild rice salad with dried cranberries and nuts adds substance to your meal.
- Mixed greens salad
- Wild rice salad
Sandwiches and Pies
Nothing screams a British picnic like a coronation chicken sandwich. For a proper picnic experience, spread a generous helping of coronation chicken between two slices of your favourite bread. If you fancy something different, a warm, flaky pastry encasing your coronation chicken is a delicious twist on the traditional sandwich—bring on those coronation chicken pies.
- Coronation chicken sandwich
- Coronation chicken pie
What to Serve with Coronation Chicken Sandwiches
If you fancy eating something alongside your sandwich, there are lots of options that work really well. Crunchy apple slices balance out the flavour, while crisps or potato wedges provide a satisfying crunch. Don’t forget to pack some refreshing beverages to wash it all down.
Sides:
- Apple slices
- Crisps
- Potato wedges
Jacket Potato
Serving coronation chicken with a jacket potato is a delicious and filling meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. When paired with a fluffy jacket potato, the dish becomes even more satisfying and substantial. The potato provides a neutral base for the chicken, allowing the flavours to shine through without overwhelming the dish. Whether you’re looking for a comforting meal on a chilly day or a satisfying lunch that will keep you going all afternoon, coronation chicken with a jacket potato is a tasty and satisfying option and works really well with a crisp side salad too.
Popular Side Dishes
Classic Sides
When it comes to serving coronation chicken, you can choose from several classic side dishes. Here’s a list of some favourites:
- Potato salad: A staple at any gathering, potato salad pairs perfectly with coronation chicken’s creamy texture and mild curry flavour. You can tweak your favourite potato salad recipe or try a traditional British version, like new potatoes with a mayonnaise-based dressing and some fresh chives.
- Rice: Try serving it over some basmati, jasmine or even wild rice.
- Naan bread: Soft and fluffy naan bread is perfect for scooping up coronation chicken. Plain, garlic or even a stuffed naan could add an interesting twist to your meal.
Roast Vegetables and Salad
Roast vegetables and salad work really well with coronation chicken. Some popular suggestions include:
- Roast vegetables: Serve up a colourful plate of roasted vegetables with coronation chicken. You could roast carrots, baby corn, parsnips, beetroot, red onions or anything else you fancy.
- Crisp green salad: Balance out the creaminess of coronation chicken with a refreshing green salad. Leafy greens, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes make for a simple yet effective pairing.
- Couscous salad: A light and fluffy couscous salad with chopped vegetables and herbs works well alongside coronation chicken. Consider adding raisins, pine nuts, and a lemon dressing to bring out the dish’s full potential.
Coronation chicken is a versatile dish that works well with a range of different side dishes. Feel free to get creative with your pairings and explore new combinations to suit your taste.
Creating a Coronation Chicken Feast
It’s easy to create a memorable Coronation Chicken Feast. Focus on choosing side dishes that complement the chicken. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Rice: Aromatic basmati or jasmine rice works well, as does a more flavoured option like pilau or coconut rice.
- Bread: Freshly baked naan, paratha or fluffy pita bread can serve as a delicious canvas for your Coronation Chicken.
- Salad: A simple green salad, cucumber raita or crunchy coleslaw adds a refreshing touch to your feast.
- Chutneys and pickles: Mango chutney, lime pickle, and mint-yoghurt sauce provide zesty accents to this dish.
Remember, presentation is key when you’re preparing any kind of feast. Arrange your sides attractively on a large platter, and don’t forget the garnishes. Sprinkling chopped coriander or parsley over your dishes adds a pop of colour and brightens up their flavour.
Here are some additional tips to help you create a Coronation Chicken Feast that features your own unique spin:
- Adjust the heat level in your Coronation Chicken Sauce: Use milder curry powder or add extra chilli for a spicier kick.
- Explore different protein options in your Coronation Chicken Salad: Replace the chicken with turkey, seitan or tofu for a change of pace.
- Incorporate seasonal veggies into your side dishes: Toss roasted vegetables with your rice or fold them into your salad for added flavour and nutrition.
Coronation chicken is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and occasions. Whether you choose to serve it with a jacket potato, in a sandwich, or as a salad, the creamy and slightly spicy flavours of the dish are sure to satisfy. Additionally, coronation chicken can be easily adapted to suit different dietary requirements by using vegan or vegetarian alternatives to the chicken and mayonnaise. Whatever your preferences, coronation chicken is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for any mealtime.