Historical Recipe Coronation Chicken

CORONATION CHICKEN

Steps:

• Begin by poaching the chicken. Season the chicken generously on both sides with salt, then place in a single layer in a large pot. Add the peppercorns and 1 of the bay leaves. Pour cool water over the chicken until it is covered by about 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the poaching liquid and place on a plate to cool. Shred the chicken, by hand, into large pieces and set aside in a medium bowl.
• Cool the poaching liquid completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container and reserve for another use (see Cook's Note).
• For the sauce, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until slightly darker in color, about 1 minute. Add the curry powder and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the red wine, 1/4 cup water, mango chutney, lemon juice and remaining bay leaf and cook until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove bay leaf.
• Combine the mayonnaise and sour cream in a medium bowl using a rubber spatulate. Add the cooled curry mixture and 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to combine.
• To finish the salad, mix the shredded chicken with the dried apricots and sliced almonds. Pour the sauce over the chicken mixture and gently coat the chicken with the sauce using a rubber spatula. Finish the salad by gently mixing in the cilantro.

THE CLASSIC 1953 CORONATION CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• Remove the skin and any bones from the chicken and cut into small pieces.
• Heat up the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan and add the onion. Cook on a medium heat for about 3 minutes until the Onion is soft and translucent.
• Add the curry paste, tomato puree, red wine, bay leaf and the lemon juice to the cooked onions.
• Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes until reduced. Remove the bay leaf and leave to onion sauce to cool.
• Finely chop the apricot halves and puree them through a sieve or with a hand held blender.
• Place the pureed apricots into a bowl and mix in the mayonnaise.
• Add the onion sauce and apricot jam and mix well.
• Whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold this also into the mixture. Mix well.
• Season with salt & pepper and if necessary add a little extra Lemon Juice.
• Finally, fold in the chicken pieces coating them with the mixture well.
• Garnish with watercress and serve.
• Serves 4 to 6 as a salad with additional salad ingredients, or makes 8 rounds of sandwiches. Also wonderful as a vol au vents or pie filling.