🍗 Introduction to the recipe
Mary Berry’s coronation chicken recipe is a delightful tribute to the original dish, offering a new twist that takes the classic to a whole new level. Whether you want to enjoy it as part of a roast dinner or create an epic coronation chicken salad, this recipe is sure to impress.
With a nod to Prince Charles and his advocacy for sustainable farming and the environment, Mary Berry’s recipe offers a versatile option for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The blend of flavors, spices, and textures in this dish make it a perfect addition to any meal or gathering.
🥘 Ingredients for the paste and marinade
To create the flavorful paste and marinade for the coronation chicken, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Curry paste
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
- Fresh red chili
- Olive oil
- Coriander leaves and stalks
- 1.8 kilo free-range chicken
- 4 onions (red or white)
- Lemon
- Pineapple (fresh or tinned)
For the salad and garnish, you can also include additional ingredients like gem lettuce, pomegranates, cucumber, and chili, as well as nuts such as flaked almonds or cashews for added crunch.
🌱 Options for vegetarians and vegans
For vegetarians and vegans, there are plenty of delicious options that can be used as a substitute for the chicken in Mary Berry’s coronation chicken recipe. Here are some great alternatives:
Whole Cauliflower
Roast a whole cauliflower and season it with the same flavorful spices used in the original recipe. The result is a dish with incredible flavors and a beautiful presentation.
Split Squashes or Pumpkins
Using split squashes or pumpkins as a substitute for chicken offers a unique and delicious twist. The natural sweetness of these vegetables complements the spices in the recipe perfectly.
Tofu
Marinate tofu in the same spices used for the chicken, allowing the flavors to penetrate the tofu for a delicious and satisfying alternative.
These options provide a variety of choices for those who prefer meat-free dishes and are perfect for serving at gatherings or as a main course for a family meal.
🍗 Preparation of the chicken
Mary Berry’s coronation chicken recipe starts with a 1.8 kilo free-range chicken that is smothered in a flavorful paste and marinade. The preparation involves a few simple steps and results in tender, juicy, and flavorful chicken.
Creating the Flavorful Paste
The flavorful paste is made using curry paste, garlic, fresh ginger, and a red chili. These ingredients are blended together with olive oil and coriander leaves and stalks to create a fragrant and pungent paste.
Adding Pineapple
Fresh or tinned pineapple is used to complement the spices and is added to the chicken before roasting. The pineapple caramelizes and adds a delicious sweetness to the dish.
Cooking the Chicken
The chicken is roasted for an hour and a half at 180 degrees Celsius, with regular basting and turning to ensure even cooking and a crispy skin. The result is a tender and flavorful chicken that falls off the bone.
Once the chicken is cooked, it is stripped from the bone, and the crispy skin is reserved to be used as a topping for the salad. The chicken is then tossed in Greek yogurt and served with a variety of fresh ingredients to create a vibrant and delicious coronation chicken salad.
🍍 Tips for selecting and using pineapple
When selecting a pineapple, look for one with a fragrant, sweet smell at the stem end. If the leaf at the center of the crown pulls out easily, it’s a good sign that the pineapple is ripe. Fresh pineapples should feel heavy for their size and have vibrant green leaves.
To use fresh pineapple, start by cutting off the crown and the base. Stand the pineapple upright and slice off the skin, ensuring all the eyes are removed. Then, cut it into chunks or rings as desired.
If using tinned pineapple, choose rings or chunks packed in natural juice for the best flavor. Drain the pineapple well before adding it to your dish.
Pineapple can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory recipes like marinades and salsas to sweet dishes like desserts and smoothies. It adds a delightful sweet and tangy flavor to any recipe.
🍗 Marinating and roasting the chicken
Marinating the chicken is essential to infuse it with the rich, aromatic flavors of the curry paste, garlic, ginger, and chili. To achieve optimal flavor, massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring it is coated evenly.
After marinating, roast the chicken at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 1.5 hours, basting it halfway through to ensure even cooking and a crispy skin. Adding pineapple to roast alongside the chicken imparts a delicious sweetness to the dish.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest before shredding the meat. Reserve the crispy skin to use as a topping for the salad, adding a delightful crunch and flavor to the dish. Toss the shredded chicken in Greek yogurt for a creamy and tangy finish.
By following these steps, you’ll achieve tender, juicy, and flavorful coronation chicken that’s perfect for serving as a main course or as part of a vibrant salad.
🍍 Basting and caramelizing the pineapple
After the chicken has roasted for 45 minutes, it’s time to baste and caramelize the pineapple to add a delicious sweetness to the dish.
Basting the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and use the juices in the pan to baste the chicken, ensuring it’s coated with the drippings for extra flavor and crispiness.
Caramelizing the Pineapple: Add the pineapple to the pan, tossing it to coat it in the flavorful juices. The pineapple will caramelize and turn golden, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Roast the chicken and pineapple for another 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and create a tantalizing aroma that will have everyone’s mouths watering.
🍗 Finishing the cooking process
Once the chicken has cooked for a total of 1.5 hours, it’s time to finish the cooking process and assemble the coronation chicken salad.
Resting the Chicken: Let the chicken rest for about 20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and succulent meat that falls off the bone.
Preparing the Chicken Skin: Strip the crispy skin from the chicken and reserve it to use as a topping for the salad. The crispy skin adds a delightful crunch and flavor to the dish.
Tossing the Chicken: Shred the meat from the chicken and toss it in Greek yogurt for a creamy and tangy finish. Season with salt and pepper for added flavor.
Assembling the Salad: Lay gem lettuce on a platter and arrange the shredded chicken, caramelized onions, pineapple, crispy skin, coriander leaves, pomegranates, cucumber, and chili on top. Serve with crunchy poppadoms for a delightful texture and flavor contrast.
Enjoy the coronation chicken salad as a main course or as an impressive dish to share at gatherings and celebrations.
🍗 Preparing the chicken for the salad
To prepare the chicken for the coronation chicken salad, follow these simple steps:
Creating the Flavorful Paste
Blend curry paste, garlic, fresh ginger, and a red chili with olive oil and coriander leaves and stalks to create a fragrant paste.
Adding Pineapple
Use fresh or tinned pineapple to complement the spices and add a delicious sweetness to the chicken before roasting.
Cooking the Chicken
Roast the chicken at 180 degrees Celsius for an hour and a half, ensuring it is basted and turned for even cooking and a crispy skin.
Stripping the cooked chicken from the bone and reserving the crispy skin is the next step in preparing the chicken for the salad.
🥗 Assembling the coronation chicken salad
Once the chicken is prepared, assembling the coronation chicken salad is a delightful and vibrant process:
Resting the Chicken
Allow the chicken to rest for about 20 minutes to redistribute the juices and create tender, succulent meat.
Preparing the Chicken Skin
Strip the crispy skin from the chicken and reserve it to use as a topping for the salad, adding a delightful crunch and flavor.
Tossing the Chicken
Shred the meat from the chicken and toss it in Greek yogurt for a creamy and tangy finish, seasoning it with salt and pepper for added flavor.
Assembling the Salad
Lay gem lettuce on a platter and arrange the shredded chicken, caramelized onions, pineapple, crispy skin, coriander leaves, pomegranates, cucumber, and chili on top.
Complete the salad with crunchy poppadoms for a delightful texture and flavor contrast, and enjoy this flavorful coronation chicken salad as a main course or as an impressive dish to share at gatherings and celebrations.
FAQs
Below are some frequently asked questions about Mary Berry’s coronation chicken recipe:
Can I substitute the chicken with tofu in this recipe?
Yes, you can marinate tofu in the same spices used for the chicken to create a delicious vegetarian alternative.
What is the ideal cooking temperature and time for the chicken?
The chicken should be roasted at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 1.5 hours, with regular basting and turning to ensure even cooking and a crispy skin.
What are some vegetarian and vegan options for this recipe?
For vegetarians and vegans, you can use whole cauliflower, split squashes, pumpkins, or tofu to create meat-free alternatives with incredible flavors.
How do I know when a pineapple is ripe?
When selecting a pineapple, look for one with a fragrant, sweet smell at the stem end. If the leaf at the center of the crown pulls out easily, it’s a good sign that the pineapple is ripe.
What are the options for garnishing the coronation chicken salad?
You can garnish the salad with coriander leaves, pomegranates, cucumber, and chili, as well as nuts such as flaked almonds or cashews for added crunch.
Can I make the coronation chicken salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ahead of time and refrigerate it. The flavors will continue to meld together, creating a delicious and transportable dish for gatherings and picnics.
