6 Steps to Paleo Coronation Chicken
If you’ve ever hosted a Sunday roast or dinner party, chances are you’ve found yourself with a mountain of leftover roast chicken. It’s always tempting to over-cater, and more often than not, the chook you lovingly roasted is simply too big to finish in one sitting. But rather than letting those delicious leftovers go to waste, this Paleo Coronation Chicken recipe is the ideal way to reinvent yesterday’s dinner into something even more exciting today.
Coronation Chicken is a classic British dish, originally created for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. Traditionally, it’s made with mayonnaise, yoghurt or cream, curry powder, and dried fruit — tasty, yes, but certainly not Paleo-friendly. This version captures all the rich, aromatic flavour of the original, without the dairy, refined sugar, or preservatives. It’s vibrant, satisfying, and packed with good fats and spices that will leave you wondering why you didn’t try this sooner.
Best of all, this recipe is incredibly adaptable. Whether you have a handful of meat or several cups, you can scale the ingredients up or down to suit what you’ve got. It’s the perfect solution for reducing food waste while creating something completely new and utterly delicious.
Quick and Easy Coronation Chicken
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Chopping Board
Ingredients
- 200 g shredded roast chicken
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 shallot finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp honey
- Juice of ½ lime
- ½ can thick coconut milk
- Small handful flaked almonds
- Small handful coconut shavings
- Small handful sultanas
- Small handful unsulphured dried apricots finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Shallots and Garlic: In a saucepan, heat the coconut oil over medium-low heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook for 2–3 minutes until it starts to soften.
- Add the Aromatics: Add the crushed garlic and stir. Cook for another 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.
- Incorporate the Spices: Squeeze in the lime juice and stir in the ground turmeric, coriander, ginger, cumin, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, adding extra coconut oil if necessary.
- Create the Sauce: Add the coconut milk and honey to the pan. Stir well and simmer very gently for around 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finish with Texture and Sweetness: Toss in the flaked almonds, coconut shavings, sultanas, and finely chopped dried apricots. Stir to combine well.
- Combine with Chicken: Pour the sauce over the shredded chicken and mix until the chicken is thoroughly coated. Enjoy the dish straight away or leave it in the fridge to cool before serving as part of a salad.
Why Coronation Chicken Deserves a Paleo Makeover
The traditional recipe may have stood the test of time, but it certainly hasn’t aged well when it comes to healthy eating. Most versions are loaded with commercial mayonnaise and yoghurt, often including added sugar and questionable oils. By switching to coconut milk as the creamy base, you keep all the richness while staying dairy-free. And by making your own curry blend or using a clean pre-mix, you ensure every ingredient aligns with your Paleo lifestyle.
This dish is a great way to enjoy those classic flavours without compromising your goals. Plus, it keeps well in the fridge for a couple of days, making it an ideal meal prep option for lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Getting Started with Leftover Chicken
You don’t need to have roasted a whole chicken just to make this dish. Any leftover cooked chicken will do — roasted, poached, or grilled. If you’ve followed my fail-proof poached chicken recipe, that would be perfect here. Simply shred or chop the meat into bite-sized pieces and you're ready to go.
For this batch, I used around 2 cups of shredded chicken, but the quantities are flexible. If you’ve got a bit more or a bit less, just adjust the dressing and seasoning to suit. The aim is to coat the meat generously without drowning it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Paleo Coronation Chicken recipe are simple, nourishing, and likely already in your pantry:
- Cooked chicken: Shredded or chopped, depending on your texture preference.
- Coconut milk: Use the thick, creamy part from the top of the tin for the best consistency.
- Curry powder: Choose a clean, additive-free blend, or mix your own using turmeric, cumin, coriander, and ginger.
- Dried fruit: Traditionally sultanas or apricots are used. Go for sulphur-free options and chop finely to spread the sweetness throughout.
- Flaked almonds: Toasted for a subtle crunch, they add a nice contrast in texture.
- Lemon or lime juice: A squeeze of acidity balances the richness of the coconut milk.
- Salt and black pepper: To season and enhance the spices.
You can also add a little chopped fresh coriander or parsley to garnish if you like herbs in your salads.
How to Serve Paleo Coronation Chicken
One of the best things about this dish is how versatile it is. It can be served in so many ways depending on what you’re in the mood for or what you have in the kitchen:
- Over salad greens: Serve it on a bed of rocket, spinach or mixed leaves for a light, refreshing lunch.
- In lettuce cups: Spoon it into crisp cos lettuce leaves for a hand-held snack or starter.
- Stuffed in a sweet potato: The creamy curry chicken pairs perfectly with the soft, caramelised sweetness of roasted sweet potato.
- With cauliflower rice: For a more substantial meal, serve alongside or mixed into cauliflower rice for a grain-free “chicken biryani” vibe.
It’s also excellent cold, making it ideal for picnics or work lunches. Just pop it into a container with a handful of salad and you’ve got a no-fuss, no-heat-required meal ready to go.
Customising Your Coronation Chicken
This recipe is very forgiving, so don’t be afraid to tweak it. Here are some ideas to personalise your version:
- Go spicier: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or cayenne pepper if you like heat.
- Make it crunchier: Toss in some diced celery or red onion for extra bite.
- Sweeten it naturally: Use chopped dates or unsweetened dried apple if you’re not a fan of apricots or sultanas.
- Add greens: Stir in baby spinach, chopped kale or fresh herbs for more nutrients.
The goal is to make it work for your tastes and dietary needs. As long as you keep the core concept — cooked chicken in a creamy, spiced dressing — you can get creative with the rest.
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
Paleo Coronation Chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If anything, the flavour deepens as the spices meld, so it can be even better the day after you make it.
If you’re prepping for a week of lunches, you might want to keep the dressing separate and mix it in just before eating to retain the best texture. That’s especially helpful if you’re storing it with leafy greens or using it in lettuce cups.
Why This Recipe Works
So many recipes rely on dairy and processed ingredients to create creamy textures and layered flavours. But this Paleo version proves that you can achieve richness and complexity without stepping outside of clean eating guidelines. The coconut milk provides luscious creaminess, the curry powder brings warmth and spice, and the dried fruit adds pops of natural sweetness to tie everything together.
It’s a satisfying way to reduce food waste, eat more protein, and enjoy a dish that feels a little bit luxurious without being fussy or time-consuming. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, this recipe scales well and never fails to impress.
Have You Tried It?
This Paleo Coronation Chicken is a perfect way to transform your leftover roast chicken into a delicious and healthy meal. The combination of spices, coconut milk, and dried fruits creates a rich and flavourful dish that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy it as a main course or as a delightful addition to a salad.
Have you tried making your own Coronation Chicken before? If so, share your variations and tips in the comments below! Additionally, don't forget to subscribe for more delicious Paleo recipes.
This Coronation Chicken recipe was a great way to use up leftover roast chicken. The blend of spices was spot on, and the coconut milk made it wonderfully creamy. Will definitely make this again. Thanks for sharing!