Looking for a vegan twist on a classic dish that's fit for royalty? Look no further than this British Vegan Coronation Chicken recipe made with jackfruit! Not only is it meat-free, but it's also dairy-free and gluten-free. Whether you're a long-time vegan or just looking to try something new, this vegan coronation chicken recipe is sure to impress your taste buds! We love cooking with jackfruit, find more of our jackfruit recipes.
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🌟 Why this recipe works
Timeless classic – Coronation Chicken is a British classic that was created to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, and has since become a beloved staple in the UK. Traditionally made with chicken and a creamy, spiced sauce, this vegan version uses jackfruit to provide a similar texture and is bursting with flavour. A lot of recipes use chickpeas in their vegan versions, but we think jackfruit is better.
Quick and simple - this vegan coronation chicken recipe is so quick and easy to make. Once the jackfruit is soft and mashed up, just add the other ingredients and then mix it up! Perfect for taking on a picnic or serving at a party (see more party food ideas).
6 ingredients - how hard can it be if there's just 6 ingredients? And they're all cupboard staples too!
Versatile - as well as being super easy to make, vegan coronation chicken is super versatile too! It can be served in sandwiches or rolls, as a jacket potato topping or even as part of a light and refreshing salad.
📋 Ingredient notes
Jackfruit – one of the greatest vegan ingredients! We recommend using unripe (young) tinned jackfruit as it has been soaking in brine (or water) in the tin, this means it will have a softer texture. Some jackfruit may need to be boiled or steamed before mashing, especially if it's fresh out of the large fruit. We love to work with jackfruit, just take a look at our ultimate jackfruit guide for more information about it. Jackfruit wraps are also great and so is jackfruit stir fry.
Curry powder – generic Indian mild curry powder is fine to use. We made this recipe with madras curry powder (not spicy). It's just for a simple curry flavour, rather than a specific type or to add any heat.
Vegan mayonnaise – vegan mayo is awesome. We like Hellman's vegan mayo but there are so many options out there, use your favourite or make your own! We also love vegan egg mayo using this ingredient too.
Mango chutney – shop-bought chutney is grand. Any bog standard one will do, it's to add some sweet, fruitiness to the overall flavour. We like to use Geeta's premium mango chutney, but any will do.
🔪 How to make vegan coronation chicken
This is a step-by-step overview with photos for making vegan coronation chicken. The full recipe, along with measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
1. Drain and rinse the jackfruit and then place into a large mixing bowl, big enough for mashing.
2. Using a potato masher, carefully mash the jackfruit until it breaks down into small pieces, like chicken shreds. If the jackfruit is tough it may need to be sliced using a knife instead. If the jackfruit is really tough, we recommend boiling it for 30-45 minutes. Allow to cool and then mash it. Find out more about preparing and cooking jackfruit.
3. Once the jackfruit has been mashed into small pieces, add in the vegan mayo, mango chutney, curry powder, lemon juice and raisins.
4. Mix well until all of the jackfruit is covered in the delicious yellow sauce. Top with flaked almonds (optional).
5. Season to taste with salt. Then it can be used as a sandwich filling, in salads or for topping jacket potatoes.
👩🍳 Expert tips
Soften the jackfruit – depending on the tin of jackfruit, it may or may not need softening by boiling it up. The jackfruit can be boiled for 30-45 minutes to soften it, and then drained. Then allow it to cool before mashing and mixing with the rest of the ingredients. If you like jackfruit as much as us, learn more about the benefits of jackfruit.
Make it fancy - take this vegan coronation chicken to the next level by adding toasted almond flakes for a bit of crunch. Traditionally dried apricots are used instead of raisins, but it's more common to use raisins these days. In addition, fresh coriander can be used to add some herby freshness, and sometimes curry paste can be used in place of curry powder.
Make ahead – vegan Coronation chicken can be made well in advance. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days so it is fantastic for a meal prep lunch.
Storage - keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days and we don't recommend freezing.
💭 FAQs
The dish Coronation chicken was created in 1953 for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The dish was designed by Rosemary Hume and Constance Spry, two leading British chefs at the time, as a way to combine traditional English flavors with Indian spices. The original recipe typically included curry powder, mayonnaise or yogurt, mango chutney and cooked chicken. The finished product was then garnished with slivered almonds and served as a cold salad. Over the years, variations on this classic dish have emerged with other ingredients such as fresh herbs and spices added to the mix.
Coronation chicken is a salad dish typically served cold, usually as part of a buffet. The dish is made from cooked chicken, mayonnaise, curry powder, and other ingredients such as cream, mango chutney, raisins and almonds. The combination of the creamy mayonnaise and the spicy curry powder gives this dish its signature flavor. Coronation chicken is often served on bed of lettuce or rice and can be garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges. It is an easy-to-make dish that can be easily made vegan and enjoyed as a main course or side dish at parties or family gatherings.
🥪 Serving
Classically, coronation chicken (or the vegan version in this case) is served as a salad or on a bed of rice. More commonly, it's served as a sandwich filling and can also be served with jacket potatoes. Plus, if you'd like more inspiration for vegan sandwiches, check out this guide to the best vegan sandwich fillers.
🍛 More recipes to try
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Coronation Chicken
Ingredients
- 400 g jackfruit (drained weight)
- 6 tbsp vegan mayo
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp mango chutney
- 2 tbsp raisins or sultanas
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt - to taste
- Toasted flaked almonds - optional
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the jackfruit and then place into a large mixing bowl, big enough for mashing.400 g jackfruit
- Using a potato masher, carefully mash the jackfruit until it breaks down into small pieces, like chicken shreds. If the jackfruit is tough it may need to be sliced using a knife instead. If the jackfruit is really touch, we recommend boiling it for 30-45 minutes before mashing. Allow to cool and then mash it.
- Once the jackfruit has been mashed into small pieces, add in the vegan mayo, chutney, curry powder, lemon juice and raisins. Season with salt to taste.6 tbsp vegan mayo, 1 tbsp curry powder, 2 tbsp mango chutney, 2 tbsp raisins, 1 tsp lemon juice, Salt
- Mix well until all of the jackfruit is covered in the delicious yellow sauce. Top with flaked almonds (optional).Toasted flaked almonds
- Serve as a sandwich filling, in salads or for topping jacket potatoes.
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