Classic French

Coronation Chicken Salad

Name: Coronation Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 5 Tbsp Mayonnaise; 2 Tsp Mild curry powder, to taste; 2 Tbsp Mango chutney; 1 Pinch Sea salt; 2 Tbsp Golden sultanas; 1 Romaine or Cos lettuce; 10 Dried apricots, cut into quarters; 1/2 bunch Coriander, coarsely chopped; 300g Leftover chicken (you may want to see my recipe for roast chicken)

A canapé (or starter) with the royal seal of approval.

Prep 15 minsCook —Serves 4

This dish was created to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. Now, in the year of her son’s coronation, it is a dish which will have renewed appeal, perhaps to a generation or two who have never tried it. For my recipe, the slightly curried chicken mayonnaise is served in lettuce shells. A fitting canapé for those celebrations when Charles III is crowned in May.

Ingredients

For the sauce

5 TbspMayonnaise
2 TspMild curry powder, to taste
2 TbspMango chutney
1 PinchSea salt
2 TbspGolden sultanas

For the salad

1Romaine or Cos lettuce
10Dried apricots, cut into quarters
1/2 bunchCoriander, coarsely chopped
300gLeftover chicken (you may want to see my recipe for roast chicken)

Method

1
For the sauce: In a large bowl mix all the sauce ingredients until you have a smooth sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if required.
Transfer about a third of the sauce to a small serving dish, and keep the rest in the mixing bowl.
2
For the salad: Remove and discard the outer leaves of the lettuce (as usually these are damaged and discoloured).
Next, remove a further 6 outer leaves – these will be used as shells to fill with the coronation chicken mixture.
Wash and drain them and place them on a serving dish or board.
Finely chop the lettuce heart and add it to the bowl with the remaining sauce.
Add the apricots and coriander, and toss well.
3
Fill the lettuce leaf ‘shells’ with the dressed salad.
Garnish with a little more chopped coriander, or a sprinkling of smoked paprika if you wish.
Serve it with the leftover roast chicken.
Alternatively, you can shred the chicken and add this to the coronation dressing and add to the lettuce leaves to serve.
Long live the King!

Cooking is always an expression of care and generosity. Enjoy this dish.

Bon appétit!