Curry Chicken Salad

5 from 6 votes

This Curry Chicken Salad is super easy to make and totally delicious! Also called Coronation Chicken Salad, it’s a combination of curry, lemon, almonds and mayo mixed with shredded chicken and carrots. It’s a really fun version of classic chicken salad. Mix up your meal prep and give this easy Chicken Salad recipe a try for lunch this week! Bonus: It’s low carb and fit for Whole30, too!

A bowl of curry chicken salad with diced vegetables, herbs, and almonds, served with a gold spoon. A lemon slice and cilantro are visible on the white marble surface.

Repeat after me: Meal Prep. Meal Prep. Meal Prep. It’s SO important anytime, whether you’re just trying to eat healthy, save money, be more efficient, whatever… You definitely don’t want to be caught unprepared when life happens!

That’s why we love meal prep recipes like this Curry Chicken Salad! Also called Coronation Chicken Salad (because it was served at Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953!), it’s your classic chicken salad, but with a sweet curry flavor and the crunch of carrots and almonds. You can customize it however you like, too!

Curry Chicken Salad Recipe

Like regular chicken salad, this one has shredded chicken, mayonniase, nuts and lemon. The traditional recipe for Coronation Chicken also includes carrots, chutney, dried apricots or raisins, ketchup and coriander leaves (AKA cilantro).

This is a healthier version of the original Coronation Salad. We kept the carrots and cilantro, but skipped the sweet, fruity additions. (You can add those if you like! Some people add sliced grapes, too.)

You may also like: Egg Roll in a Bowl Skillet, Classic Pot Roast, Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Collard Wraps with Easy Chicken Salad.

Ingredients on a marble countertop include chopped chicken, diced orange bell peppers, almonds, cilantro, lemon, black pepper, salt, yogurt, and spice mix in small bowls.

Ingredients

You can easily make this chicken salad recipe with a really fun spin! Just add a few simple ingredients. You’ll need:

  • Cooked Chicken
  • Curry powder
  • Carrots
  • Chopped almonds
  • Mayo (see my list of Whole30 mayo brands)
  • A squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt & Pepper

Substitutions & Variations

You can easily switch up this recipe!

  • Fresh fruits like grapes or apples (try this Apple Chicken Salad too!) for extra zing.
  • Dried fruits like apricots, raisins or cranberries for a juicy, sweet note.
  • Other nuts like chopped pecans or walnuts — or even sunflower seeds if you have a nut allergy.
  • Vegetables such as chopped celery or a little diced bell pepper.

How to Make Curry Chicken Salad

Making this salad is super simple! Trust me, when you mix it all up, it gives regular old chicken salad new life. Seriously, don’t knock it till you try it! Here’s what you’ll need to do:

In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate up to four days. Serve over mixed greens and fresh veggies with a few lemon slices on the side. 

Tips for Success

This incredible chicken salad is such a delicious twist on the original. To make it extra successful, here are a few solid tips:

  • Use freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken. Freshly shredded or diced rotisserie chicken adds great texture and flavor.
  • Let it chill before serving. For the best flavor, refrigerate chicken salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the spices to meld and the dressing to fully coat the ingredients.
  • Add texture. Mix in chopped celery, dried fruits, toasted almonds or cashews for a satisfying crunch. This balances the creamy dressing and adds extra flavor.
Glass container with curry chicken salad mixed with carrots and herbs, on a bed of leafy greens, garnished with a lemon wedge.

Meal Prep Instructions

Meal prepping is a must! Get a few things ready, portioned in containers, so I can whip up a meal for myself or for the family on the fly. You can also cook a double batch of something you love and freeze half of it for another day. (My Whole30 Spaghetti Squash and Meatballs is a great one for that!)

To meal prep this salad: Start by cooking a pound of chicken breasts in the instant pot (I love it so much!) or air fry a whole chicken. You can make a big batch of this curry chicken salad, or use the chicken in other recipes.

Once the chicken is cooked, shred it and let it cool. Then it’s ready to make chicken salad with! You can also cut the carrot (or buy pre-shredded) ahead of time. Then make the salad! Once it’s all mixed up, cover and refrigerate up to four days.

Meal-prepping tips

When I meal prep, I always batch-cook a few proteins, maybe marinating and freezing chicken, then I wash and prep some vegetables, hard boil eggs and cook some sweet potatoes. I also wash and cut a bunch of greens, onions, broccoli and bell peppers. It takes about an hour in total. With all of this, I'm able to make omelets, wraps, salads and stir fry dishes in about 10 minutes flat all week long. In a pinch, I can even grab-and-go. All of this sets me up for success!

Glass container with chicken salad and mixed lettuce, garnished with a lemon wedge. Surrounded by blueberries, almonds, half a lemon, carrot, and cilantro on a white marble surface.

What to Serve with Curry Chicken Salad

Wash some mixed greens to enjoy later, or cook fresh veggies like Air Fryer Roasted Green Beans to eat on the side. I also like to cut up a few lemon slices to serve with this salad!

You can also eat it on a brioche bun, spread it on toast for an open-faced sandwich or spoon it into a wrap for an easy lunch. It's a great dish to serve for a luncheon with things like Deviled Eggs and Broccoli Bacon Salad.

FAQ

What is Coronation Chicken Salad?

Coronation chicken salad is a mayonnaise-based chicken salad with curry powder mixed in. It also sometimes has mix-ins like almonds, carrots and dried fruits like apricots.

How do you serve chicken salad?

You can eat chicken salad over a bed of greens, on a sandwich bun or inside of a wrap. It's a great meal-prep lunch or big-batch cold salad to serve at a lunch-time gathering.

More Salad Recipes

A bowl of curry chicken salad with diced vegetables, herbs, and almonds, served with a gold spoon. A lemon slice and cilantro are visible on the white marble surface.

Curry Chicken Salad

Warm and inviting, the spices in this Curry Chicken Salad (also called Coronation Chicken Salad) are a delicious upgrade to the original. This easy meal prep recipe is great for healthy lunches!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
  • ¼ to ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 small carrot
  • ½ teaspoons curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoons salt
  • teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons almonds chopped or slivered
  • 1 teaspoons fresh cilantro
  • ½ medium lemon cut into wedges
  • 2 cups mixed greens for serving

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, stir all ingredients together until well combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. Serve over mixed greens and fresh veggies with a few lemon slices on the side. 

Notes

Store leftover Curry Chicken Salad in a covered, food-safe, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 544kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 772mg | Potassium: 1150mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4735IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe? Share it with us on Instagram! @cookathomemom!
5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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