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Delicious vegan coronation chicken made without mayo! This healthier version of the British classic is made with 6 simple ingredients; a colourful and flavoursome vegan lunch is just 15 minutes away.
This easy vegan coronation chicken is quick to make and uses simple, healthy ingredients (no mayo!). With 6 basic ingredients we’ve created a lighter version of this British classic, without sacrificing on flavour, by using dairy free yoghurt instead of mayonnaise.
The sweet, tangy and lightly spiced flavours of the vegan and vegetarian coronation chicken sauce come from a delicious blend of spices, mango chutney and juicy sultanas in a coconut yoghurt base. It takes just 15 minutes to create a colourful and flavoursome coronation chicken sandwich or wrap to pack for lunch.
If you’re looking for a tasty high protein lunch that is meat free, dairy free and egg free, this healthy coronation chicken recipe is for you! As well as being a glorious sandwich filler, this classic dish makes a versatile topping for many other vegetarian and vegan lunches including jacket potatoes, baguettes and salads.
Quick Links:
- The written recipe
- The video recipe
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Success tips
- Step by step instructions
- FAQs
- Other incredible recipes like this one
Where did coronation chicken originate?
The original coronation chicken recipe is believed to have been created by Rosemary Hume of Le Cordon Bleu London Culinary School, for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The sauce for the original 1953 coronation chicken recipe (or ‘Poulet Reine Elizabeth’ as it was known) was made from mayonnaise, whipped cream, apricot, tomato paste, curry powder and red wine (source).
Success Tips
- Pre-cook and cool the vegan chicken. You may have purchased ‘ready to eat’ vegan chicken, but if you haven’t, you’ll want to cook it first (as per the packet instructions) and then let it cool before using it.
- Opt for unsweetened yoghurt. We used unsweetened coconut yoghurt, however unsweetened soya yoghurt or vegan greek style yoghurt would also work well.
- Pick a mild to medium curry powder. We like a little spice so we used medium curry powder, however a mild curry powder will work just as well.
- Variations. If you prefer your coronation chicken without sultanas, you can omit these from the recipe.
- Storing. The recipe makes enough for two vegan / vegetarian coronation chicken sandwiches. Store any spare coronation chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days (or as per the guidance on the meat free chicken you have selected, if this is less).
How to make a vegan coronation chicken sandwich
Ingredients
Coconut yoghurt – to make coronation chicken without mayo we use unsweetened yoghurt. We used coconut yoghurt as the main ingredient but you could also use soya yoghurt. If you prefer, you can substitute the yoghurt for vegan mayonnaise.
Mango chutney – any will do! We used homemade but any shop-bought mango chutney should work well.
Sultanas – you can substitute these for raisins or omit them if you prefer
Curry powder – mild or medium heat, according to your preference
Turmeric – for added colour and earthiness
Vegan chicken – use your favourite meat free chicken. Cook it and cool it before using it in this recipe.
If you’d like to make sandwiches topped with picked red onions, you’ll also need bread, lettuce, red onion and vinegar.
Equipment
Just a bowl and spoon!
Steps
Make sure to head to the recipe card below for the full recipe and instructions!
- Gather together your ingredients. Cook off the vegan chicken according to the packet instructions and let it cool.
- If you’d like to make the quick pickled red onions, add sliced red onion to a bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 10 minutes whilst you make the coronation chicken sandwich filling.
- Add the yoghurt, mango chutney, sultanas, curry powder and turmeric to a large mixing bowl and stir together to make the coronation sauce.
- Add the cooked vegan chicken pieces to the coronation mixture and stir to coat.
- To finish making the pickled red onions, drain off the hot water and pour over the vinegar. Stir and leave for 5 minutes (they’ll go bright pink!).
- Make your vegan coronation chicken sandwich using crusty farmhouse bread, lettuce, coronation chicken and pickled red onion. Alternatively, use it to top a baked potato. Yummy!
FAQs
What is coronation chicken made of?
Our healthy coronation chicken recipe is made with dairy free yogurt, mango chutney, curry powder, turmeric, sultanas and cooked vegan chicken.
Our recipe is a vegan twist on the traditional 1953 coronation chicken recipe which was made of mayonnaise, whipped cream, apricot, tomato puree, curry powder and red wine.
Does coronation chicken contain mayo?
Traditionally coronation chicken contains mayonnaise. Our vegan version uses yoghurt instead for a lighter finish but you can use vegan mayonnaise in place of the yoghurt if you prefer.
What does coronation chicken taste like?
Coronation chicken has a creamy dressing with a sweet tanginess from the mango chutney. Curry powder adds a hint of spice and earthiness. If you use a medium curry powder rather than mild, you’ll also add a touch of heat with a spicy sauce.
What can I serve this healthy vegan coronation chicken recipe with?
This vegan and vegetarian coronation chicken makes a good sandwich filler for a lunch box, afternoon tea or picnic. You could also add the creamy filling to tortilla wraps or serve it with flatbread. Another great way to enjoy this recipe is as a topping for a healthy lunch or dinner such as coronation chicken jacket potato or coronation chicken salad.
Can you freeze coronation chicken?
No, we don’t recommend freezing this vegan alternative to coronation chicken for two reasons – the sauce is liable to split and, depending on the brand, the vegan chicken may not be able to be frozen.
Store this vegan coronation chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days (or according to the shelf life of the vegan chicken you have purchased, if this is less).
Loved this vegan Coronation Chicken? Here are some more delicious vegan lunches to try
- These Shredded Tofu Kebabs are packed with flavour, using grated firm tofu and a blend of herbs and spices to create a delicious vegan kebab meat. Served in pitta bread with tzatziki, pomegranate and roasted veggies.
- Middle-Eastern style nachos, this Spicy Jackfruit Fatteh features pitta tortilla chips topped with smokey spiced jackfruit, creamy tahini sauce, toasted pine nuts and pomegranate seeds.
- Quick and easy Fully Loaded Burritos, ready in 10 minutes! With Mexican rice, spiced veggies, homemade guacamole and smokey chipotle sauce.
I hope you LOVE this recipe for vegan Coronation Chicken Sandwiches! Please share this recipe with someone you think will enjoy it because it’s our goal to encourage as many people as possible to try plant based eating.
Also, don’t forget to tag @aveganvisit on social media when you make this recipe. I love seeing your re-creations! Enjoy 🙂 x
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The Written Recipe:
Healthy Coronation Chick'n Sandwich
Ingredients
For the easy pickled red onions:
- 50 g red onion (sliced)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
For the coronation chicken:
- 75 g coconut yoghurt (unsweetened)
- 25 g mango chutney
- 20 g sultanas
- 1 tbsp curry powder (medium heat)
- ½ tsp turmeric
- 300 g vegan chicken (cooked)
To serve:
- 4 leaves baby leaf lettuce
- 4 slices crusty farmhouse bread
Instructions
- Add the sliced red onion to a bowl and cover it with boiling water. Set aside for 10 minutes whilst you make your sandwich filling.50 g red onion
- Add the coconut yoghurt, mango chutney, sultanas, curry powder and turmeric to a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the cooked vegan chicken pieces and stir to coat in the coronation sauce.75 g coconut yoghurt, 25 g mango chutney, 20 g sultanas, 1 tbsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 300 g vegan chicken
- Drain the water from the red onion slices and pour over the vinegar. Leave for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally and they’ll go bright pink and take on that classic pickled onion flavour!1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Make your sandwich using crusty farmhouse bread, lettuce, coronation chick’n and pickled red onion slices.4 leaves baby leaf lettuce, 4 slices crusty farmhouse bread
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Tara
Hi, I’m Tara! I’m taking you on a trip around the world in vegan cuisine and bringing the world’s most delicious dishes to your kitchen.
