Make this popular British royal dish in just 15 minutes! Coronation Chicken Recipe Mary Berry is super easy to prepare if you precook the chicken. Mary Berry’s chicken coronation recipe is also a great recipe to use in sandwiches, salads, and jacket potatoes making it ideal for outdoor eating!

Prep: 5 mins Total: 15 mins Yields: 6
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Why you’ll like it
Here are a few reasons why you absolutely need to give Mary Berry’s Chicken Coronation a try:
- Sweet & Savory: This recipe strikes the ideal balance between creamy, savoury, sweet, and tangy. Each bite is a harmonious symphony of flavours.
- Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 15 minutes, it’s a lifesaver for busy days when you crave something gourmet without the hassle.
- Versatile: Enjoy it in various ways – on salads, sandwiches, wraps, rolls, or even as a filling for omelettes. My latest find is adding pasta making the most delicious coronation chicken pasta salad!
- Family Favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike, this dish has a wide appeal, making it a go-to for family gatherings or potluck dinners.

Table of Contents:
Chicken Coronation Recipe Mary Berry
What is the Mary Berry Coronation Chicken?
This Mary Berry Chicken Coronation is a slightly different recipe than the original dish that made its way into Buckingham Palace. While the traditional Coronation Chicken recipe often features ingredients like apricot puree and mango chutney, Mary Berry’s version opts for the simplicity and brightness of apricot jam. Additionally, using lemon zest and juice in this recipe adds a zesty, citrusy dimension that sets it apart from the classic.
The recipe begins with succulent cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces, ready to soak up the delicious sauce. What sets this version apart is the addition of apricot jam, which lends a subtle sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the rich mayonnaise and half-fat fresh cream. A generous sprinkling of curry powder adds an irresistible depth of flavour, while a touch of tomato purée adds a delightful tang.
But here’s the twist: Mary Berry’s recipe introduces a zesty kick with lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest, infusing the dish with a refreshing citrusy note. Spring onions add a gentle bite, and the crowning glory – halved black or green seedless grapes – brings a burst of juicy sweetness and texture.
Ingredients
- Chicken. 1 pound (450 g) of cooked chicken cut into pieces
- Apricot jam. 2 tbsp apricot jam
- Curry powder. 1 tbsp curry powder
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Mayonnaise. 1 cup mayonnaise
- Fresh cream. ¾ cup half-fat fresh cream
- Tomato purée. 1 tbsp tomato purée
- Lemon. Lemon juice and finely grated lemon zest from 1 lemon
- Onions. 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- Grapes. 1 cup black/green seedless grapes, cut in half lengthways
- Rocket. Use rocket or parsley, to garnish
How to make Mary Berry Coronation Chicken
- Prepare the chicken. Remove the pre-cooked chicken skin and cut the chicken into small pieces.
- Melt the jam with the curry. Heat the jam and curry powder in a small saucepan until the jam is melted. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the chicken dressing. In a mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, fresh cream, tomato puree, lemon zest, and juice and mix together. Stir in the jam sauce and then combine the chicken, spring onion and half of the grapes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve. Spoon on a serving platter and garnish with the remaining grapes and rocket leaves.
Tips
- Precooked chicken. Prepare the chicken from the day before so you can quickly prepare a packed lunch for the office, a nice picnic, or any outing. To cook the chicken simmer in boiling water for a duration of 15 minutes. Once cooked let it cool before carving it.
- Curry. Adjust the amount of curry powder to your spice preference. Start with 1 tablespoon and add more if desired.
- Grapes. Fresh, juicy grapes add a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce, so don’t skip them.
- Zesty flavour. The lemon zest and juice are key to achieving that bright, zesty flavour, so don’t omit them.
- Pan-fry this chicken, boil, bake it, or grill it. Nevertheless, it will taste amazing!
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to three days
Variations
- Experiment with different fruits like mango or pineapple for a unique twist.
- Add toasted nuts like almonds or cashews for extra crunch and flavour.
- Substitute Greek yoghurt for the fresh cream for a lighter option.
- Customize the spice level by adding chilli flakes or hot sauce for a kick.
How to serve the Coronation chicken (Mary Berry)?
Mary Berry’s Chicken Coronation is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways:
- As a salad: Arrange it on a bed of fresh greens and garnish with rocket or parsley.
- In sandwiches: Spread it between slices of your favourite bread for a delicious sandwich.
- In wraps or rolls: Roll it up in tortillas or serve it in crusty rolls for a satisfying meal.
- As an omelet filling: Add a scoop to your omelet for a savory breakfast treat.

Storing Coronation Chicken
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover Chicken Coronation in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to 3 days. Just remember that the grapes may release some moisture so the texture may change slightly upon reheating.
You might like more…
MORE MARY BERRY DINNER RECIPES:
- Mary Berry Dijon Chicken Recipe
- Mary Berry Chicken Pasta Bake
- Mary Berry Chicken Casserole
- Mary Berry Chicken Curry
- Mary Berry Chilli con Carne
- Mary Berry Chicken Soup with Noodles
MORE CORONATION RECIPES:
- Coronation Chicken Recipe Jamie Oliver
- Coronation Chicken Recipe Delia Smith
- Coronation Quiche Buckingham Palace Recipe

Coronation Chicken Recipe Mary Berry
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 people 1x
Description
This Coronation Chicken Recipe Mary Berry is a slightly different recipe than the original dish that made its way into Buckingham Palace. The difference mainly lies in the curried mayonnaise dressing in the Mary Bery Coronation Chicken is packed with healthy ingredients like chicken, grapes, and spices.
The chicken used for the recipe can be baked or boiled in a vegetable broth making it healthier and in my opinion even tastier. Meanwhile, the grapes add a sweetness to the dish opposing the flavor of the spices making the overall dish particularly flavorful. This dish does not freeze well but can be put in the refrigerator for a few days.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked chicken (cut into pieces)
- 2 tbsp apricot jam
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup half-fat fresh cream
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 lemon zest, finely grated
- 1 lemon juice
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- salt, to taste
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup black/green seedless grapes cut in half lengthways
- rocket or parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken. Remove the pre-cooked chicken skin and cut the chicken into small pieces.
- Melt the jam with the curry. Heat the jam and curry powder in a small saucepan until the jam is melted. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the chicken dressing. In a mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise, fresh cream, tomato puree, lemon zest, and juice and mix together. Stir in the jam sauce and then combine the chicken, spring onion and half of the grapes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve. Spoon on a serving platter and garnish with the remaining grapes and rocket leaves.
Notes
Bring to a boil. Begin by placing a pot filled with an ample amount of water on the stove and bringing it to a rolling boil. Once the water reaches its boiling point, gently introduce the chicken and let it simmer for a duration of 15 minutes.
Ensure it’s cooked throughout. To ensure the readiness of your chicken, employ a simple method: pierce it with a fork or toothpick. A flawlessly cooked chicken will exude clear, translucent juices. In the unfortunate event that the liquid appears reddish, further cooking time is required.
Allow to cool. Once cooked, let it cool down entirely before cutting it down into pieces.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 1067.69 calories
- Sugar: 11.7 grams
- Sodium: 686.09 milligrams
- Fat: 83.93 grams
- Saturated Fat: 23.21 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 31.74 grams
- Trans Fat: 0.05 grams
- Carbohydrates: 19.61 grams
- Fiber: 2.23 grams
- Protein: 59.71 grams
- Cholesterol: 260.62 milligrams
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4 comments
I have stumbled this recipe by Mary Berry by coincidence and I must say I love the mix of the mayo, spice and grapes. When I forgot to buy grapes I have swapped them for dried cranberries or dried apricots!
That’s smart Linda! Sometimes I don’t feel like apricot jam and just throw some extra dried apricots with the grapes and it still tastes awesome!
I was looking for a Coronation Chicken without mango chutney. I’m glad I found this since I always keep apricot jam and grapes in my fridge. I tried it for kids packed lunches and they truly enjoyed it though I almost didn’t use any curry. Will bookmark this and give it a try if you have kids that won’t eat chicken at all!
We share exactly the same thoughts. In fact when I have tried the recipe a year ago I wanted to share it for the same reason.