15 June 2017

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches (my version is less sweet than most) / www.delightfulrepast.com

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches popped into my head this week, mainly because I wanted an excuse to use my new tea set. Our dear friends in New Mexico came for a visit and brought me their Old Country Roses tea set, something they no longer use, having gone over to the dark side, coffee!

Like me, these friends run a tight ship - and do a far better job of it than I! They don't like to have unused things cluttering up their cupboards or garage. So Julia asked me before they left home if I'd like to have the set. But of course, darling! But it meant making a place for it by getting rid of at least as many pieces.

Several days before they arrived I boxed up the teapot and other items to be donated and said goodbye to them. They were all things I liked, but not as much as I was going to like the Old Country Roses tea set and thinking of our friends every time we use it.

I don't have the time or energy just now for a tea party, so I just made some sandwiches and tea and pulled some Bakewell Tart Traybake squares from the freezer. Didn't make Scones, which is a shame since I also have a jar of my homemade Clotted Cream in the freezer.

Many recipes for Coronation Chicken call for Major Grey's chutney, but I don't always have that product on hand. Certainly didn't want to buy a jar (and have most of it go to waste!) just for a small batch of Coronation Chicken. So I just used some of the chutney ingredients in my recipe.

Are you a Coronation Chicken fan? When it's made with chutney, it's much too sweet for my taste. But made my way, I really like it. What is your favorite tea sandwich?

Update 05/30/18: I just discovered Fallue - The Traditional Norman Brioche, which is the perfect bread for these sandwiches!

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches (my version is less sweet than most) / www.delightfulrepast.com
Don't forget to Pin it!

Coronation Chicken Tea Sandwiches


1/4 cup sliced (flaked) or slivered almonds
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped dried mango or apricot
2 tablespoons dried currants
3/4 to 1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon apricot preserves, optional (for those who want to add a bit more sweetness) 
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
16 slices buttermilk bread (or other soft, "wide" bread)
1 stick (4 ounces/113 grams) unsalted butter, very soft


1 In dry skillet, toast the almonds over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove to bowl to cool.

2 In same skillet, still hot, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken breasts and cook, loosely covered, over medium-low heat about 15 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the pieces. Season each side of chicken with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Remove to plate to cool.

3 Add onion to skillet and cook until very soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in dried fruits, curry powder, dry mustard, red wine vinegar and apricot preserves; cook over low heat for about 3 minutes. Remove to bowl to cool.

4 Chop the cooled toasted almonds and put in a 1.5-quart bowl. Chop the cooled chicken and add it to the bowl. Stir in the onion-dried fruit mixture. Stir in the mayonnaise and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and chill for at least an hour before assembling sandwiches.

5 Spread each slice of bread thinly with softened butter. Divide the chicken salad (about 1/4 cup each) among the 8 bottom bread slices. Top with remaining buttered bread slices. Trim off crusts and cut each sandwich into four fingers or triangles, arranging on a plate in about three layers.

6 Lay a good-quality un-dyed paper towel on top of the sandwiches. Wet and wring out well another paper towel; lay the damp paper towel on top of the dry paper towel. Never place the damp paper towel directly on top of the sandwiches or they will become soggy. Wrap rather snugly with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least an hour or up to several hours. This will make your sandwiches “hold together” and keep them from drying out. Remove from refrigerator and uncover sandwiches just before serving.

Jean

76 comments:

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Coronation chicken? I had no idea poultry had ever been crowned. Hard to imagine how that succession came to be – which came first, the chicken or the egg? (Oh, oh…kill him now before he lays another egg.) Must have been European (fried French) or Asian (egg roll royalty), given the addition of tea to the ceremony. Or maybe Middle Eastern – poached potentate? Anyway, those little munchkin sandwiches look good enough to munch, I mean eat. And the chutney – what is that, anyway? Think I’ve had it at Bombay Bicycle restaurant. Sort of a cross between marmalade and mincemeat?

Louca por porcelana said...

Good Morning,Jean!Here is a beautiful autumn's day!Thanks for the recipe!The tea set is delighting!Very beautiful!Hugs.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sully, your mind boggles mine! I knew not what sort of comment to expect from you, but it wasn't this! Who but you would think about the "succession," "the chicken or the egg?" Chutney falls into the category of relishes, rather like a pickle relish made of other things.

ellen b said...

I'd probably like your way better. I do enjoy a good chicken sandwich at tea. I so enjoy the shape of Royal Albert Tea sets!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Maristela, thank you. So you are heading into winter soon? Enjoy!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Ellen! I didn't realize there were so many different shapes of Royal Albert until I saw a chart online. I pinned it to my Teatime board, I think.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE the tea set - what an awesome gift. Thank you for the recipe, also.

TONY said...

If I didn't know I would have guessed you and your friend were English ladies taking afternoon tea. Coronation Chicken takes you back to 1953, and the Queens coronation. You would of course be dressed in voluminous floral print dresses and your and you would crook the little finger of your right hand as you lift your new rose patterned teacups to your lips. There are some places, Jean, where you would fit straight in, the Isle of Wight, and New Zealand. New Zealand and the Isle of Wight are really England fifty years ago!!!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

I do love a good chicken salad, Jean, and really I prefer just a scoop on lettuce, to save room for other carbs, like a scone or a sweet! You know me, I do love my sweets...LOL! Your chicken salad sounds delish. Wasn't that sweet of your friends tp gift you with the OCR teaset??!! LOVE it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Mildred, thank you. Yes, it really was an awesome gift! I hope you'll try the recipe soon.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, for an "official" afternoon tea, I want real tea sandwiches. But for everyday, I'm with you - hold the bread. And at a full-on afternoon tea I, unlike you, can happily skip the sweets entirely and just have sandwiches and scones. Hey, we should go together and trade!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, I must visit Isle of Wight and New Zealand because it's the England of 50 years (or more) ago that I am nostalgic for. We had a couple of visitors from England some years ago, and they told me I was more "English" than they were and that I was "posh." :D They had long since gone over to making their tea with teabags in a microwaved mug of water!

TONY said...

You and Mr Delightful would love the Isle of Wight. It is one of my favourite places. When I was child we often had day trips on the ferry to the island. It is a slower pace of life there and much more peaceful than the mainland. It has lovely beaches and great thatched cottage villages. QueIt also has 1950s style tea rooms all over the island.Queen Victorias summer residence, Osborne House is on the island. That is an amazing experince, never mind going back fifty years, you go back over a hundred years. It really is lovely the island. I always like going there. All the best, Tony

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sounds perfect, Tony!

organicgardendreams said...

Hi Jean, how wonderful that your friends were giving away the Old Country Roses tea set to you!
Today is our last day of vacation in England and I think the first thing I will try out is your coronation chicken tea sandwich recipe when I am back home and have a moment of time. It will soothe the sadness of having to leave this wonderful country way too soon!
I have eaten coronation chicken tea sandwiches here in the UK but had no idea how many ingredients are involved. Quite fancy stuff ;-)! Hope mine turn out well and look pretty.
Warm regards,
Christina

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jean, how lovely to be gifted Old Country Roses tea set. Along with your coronation chicken salad I would be quite happy. The best coronation chicken salad I've had was in York at the Treasurer's House behind the York Minster. A National Trust tearoom served it wonderfully. ♥

Angie's Recipes said...

I have never cut off the crust when I make sandwiches...that's the best part. The chicken filling sounds very delicious.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Christina, thank you. I feel honored that you visited my blog while you are yet in England! Let me know if you try my recipe.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Martha. York is an amazing place! I did not have coronation chicken there, though.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Angie, thanks. And I only cut the crusts off tea sandwiches, not regular sandwiches. I just feel I must! :-)

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

I can say I have never had a chicken salad with so many tasty ingredients, I can only imagine how flavorful your sandwiches are. I must try your recipe!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, BRnLC! I hope you'll try it soon and let me know what you think! My husband really likes it, too.

Mrs Shoes said...

While attending college, one of my jobs was at Lawleys of London, which sold all the very best china, tableware, and bits & bobs (Dalton figurines, etc). Old Country Roses had a very strong purchase point despite the expense (at the time, over $80 per place setting) &, though todays' young women seem less inclined to such tradition, even my daughter looks forward to someday inheriting her Grammas' Yellow Roses collection.

Bernideen said...

Dear Jean: Looks like Old Country roses were on both our minds! I love your recipe and it is so perfect with the teapot! Thanks for sharing something wonderful as always!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Mrs Shoes, that would have been the perfect job for me! I've always loved china and use it every day. I don't believe in "saving" anything for company or special occasions, as I figure every day is special. I'm glad your daughter appreciates her Gramma's china.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Bernideen, thank YOU! I'm always glad when my post for the week is tea-related so I can share it at your link party.

Nancy said...

My daughter has a collection of Royal Doulton in the Moonlight Roses pattern. I have some Old Country as well as tea sets in other patterns that spoke to me at the time. I should stop listening to those voices in my head. I will have to try your chicken salad. It seems I collect chicken salad recipes too.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Nancy, I hope you will try this one and let me know how you like it. Moonlight Roses is very pretty. There are so many beautiful patterns, I've just learned to say NO!

Margie said...

Lucky you to receive your friend's beautiful OCR tea set. OCR is one of my favourite all-time designs. I admire your adherence to the "1 in, 1 out" rule. I recently donated a tea set to a church sale and I was pleased to see how quickly it sold! I would be hard-pressed to select a favourite tea sandwich...

P.S. You're correct about the 4-tiered trays. Good eye!

Fran @ Gday Souffle said...

AH, a dish from the 1950s! I just saw Rachel Koo feature this dish last night on her cooking show- looks like the dish is just as delicious as it was back in the day!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Margie. It's impossible for me to pick a favorite tea sandwich! But it's easy for me to pick the ones I don't like. When I go out for tea, smoked salmon is always on the tea menu; and I always ask for an extra egg sandwich instead.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Fran, I've never had it the original way, a piece of chicken with a sauce; just the salad way for tea sandwiches.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Jean - I have never had Cornation Chicken, but love the ingredients! Also like adding the chutney ingredients rather than the chutney.

I love tea sandwiches but they are really hard to serve in Tucson. The air is so dry that a sandwich barely has a chance to be soft and delicate. My favorite kind? It will always be cucumber. Has been since I was a child.

So nice for your friends to bring you their tea set. I love getting special items from friends.

Thanks again for the link to the clotted cream! I am so excited fo make that.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, David! I think in Tucson you could wrap the sandwiches as I describe in the last step of the directions and keep them covered until the very last moment. But you would need to serve the sandwiches as their own course rather than set them out along with everything else. Leaving them out for an hour, for people to help themselves to, would never work in that dry air. I think cucumber might be my favorite as well. http://www.delightfulrepast.com/2015/02/cucumber-sandwiches-afternoon-tea.html

Peachy and Clementine said...

Wow. Fancy. Maybe I'll try making these next time I host brunch. Thanks for linking with the #DreamTeam.

Quinn said...

To be completely honest, my favorite tea sandwich is the one offered to me on a pretty plate :)
That said, I am very interested in your recipe, and am making a note!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Peachy Little. I hope you will. They are a treat!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I agree, Quinn! Somebody wants to go to the trouble to make cute little sandwiches and put them on a pretty plate for me - well, it's my favorite, for that moment anyway!

Pom Pom said...

YUMMY! Why didn't you invite me over?
The tea set is so gorgeous! You're smart - make way for pretty stuff, or prettier stuff!
It DOES take energy to have a tea party, even a kiddie tea party. I'm always jumping up and refilling or wiping up.

Roseann Hampton said...

I love your new tea set! I've inherited a few from my mother and mother-in-law but just have them on display! And your chicken salad sounds fabulous!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thanks! I'd love to have you over for tea. What really takes energy is when I have tea in the gazebo, hauling everything to and from the kitchen! It's sounding less and less appealing every summer! :D

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Get those off display, Roseann, and put them to work! It's fun! I have posts that tell you everything you need to know about it! :-)

handmade by amalia said...

I do like an elegant sandwich. I'm going to give these a try in a brunch I'm giving next weekend, thanks for sharing.
Amalia
xo

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Amalia. I hope you and your guests like them!

annie said...

wonderful!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Annie.

cakespy said...

PINKIES OUT! I love these delicate and refined little sandwiches! It's like a childhood tea party dream come true for my adult self.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jessie, thank you so much! Your comment gave me a great big smile!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

After my first time, I learned fast to wrap all my bread and sandwiches unless they were to be eaten immediately.

In your honor, we had cucumber sandwiches for lunch yesterday!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Oh David, I *am* duly honored to have been thought of! :-)

Nancy said...

I was making a batch of my current favorite chicken salad, Maple Mustard, when I decided to keep out some of the chicken and make a bit of Coronation. We did like it a lot even though it wasn't served in tea sandwich form. I tend to make heartier sandwiches mostly using my homemade cranberry apricot yeast bread. I'm sure we will like it even more used as intended.
Next, I want to try the clotted cream. I pick blueberries every year for the freezer so I can always whip up a batch of scones on a minutes notice. Having the berries frozen is the way to go as you suggested.
Look forward to your posts.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sounds good, Nancy! Isn't making bread fun! We more often have big sandwiches, too. Do let me know when you try the clotted cream.

Cranberry Morning said...

Jean, that tea set is gorgeous! I have actually made that salad before, but didn't know that's what it was called. I have apple, not apricot preserves in mine, but everything else is the same. I think I'll opt for the apricot next time. I also use a hot curry powder, which I love. I might try putting it between slices of bread another time, rather than just on my plate, for the sandwiches are so pretty!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Judy! My curry powder isn't very hot, so I added the dry mustard. If that hadn't zipped it up enough, I would've added a pinch of cayenne. But Mr Delightful deemed it "perfect," so I'm going to leave it alone. Of course, I love bread, but you gluten-free people could just wrap it in a butter lettuce leaf or put it in a cucumber cup.

Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond said...

I love 'high tea' and these sandwiches looks so elegant. I also love your tea set. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing with us at #overthemoon link party. I've shared on social media. Have a great week and see you at the next OTM.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
http://www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sue, thank you. And thank you for sharing on your social media; much appreciated!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a lovely gift and the tea sandwiches sound delicious! Thank you for the wrapping tip, too! x Karen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Karen! Nothing worse than a dried out tea sandwich!

Daniela said...

I hope to have your understanding, my lovely lady, if during this period of the year I'm not much present on the web, our Short Lets and our works outside take me most of my time ... Honestly I'm publishing posts I have pre-scheduled just because of this reason and I'm so sorry not to be able to follow you as I'd love to and as you deserve, Dearest One, forgive me !

I feel I have to thank you for this so tempting recipe I didn't knew before, I absolutely LOVE it !

Wishing you a wonder-filled remainder of your week,
I'm sending blessings across the many miles

XOXO Dany

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dany Dear, lovely to hear from you! I understand completely, but hope you are not working too hard! Take good care of yourself during this busy season.

The Lazy Gastronome said...

Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Lazy Gastronome!

April J Harris said...

Afternoon tea is such a wonderful way to make an ordinary day extra special! Love your Coronation Chicken Sandwiches, Jean. I've pinned the recipe and shared on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page. How lovely that your friends gave you the beautiful Royal Albert china!! Thank you so much for sharing, and for being a part of Hearth and Soul.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you so much. I'm really enjoying the tea set and you are so right about afternoon tea - it can make the most ordinary day extra special! Your social media shares are soooo appreciated.

Pauline Wiles said...

I have honestly never met a tea sandwich I didn't like, but Coronation Chicken is definitely one that I love. I do miss the variety of jarred chutneys available in the UK shops, but can usually get my hands on something here that's acceptable. You laid on a pretty good spread, considering this was your "short of time" option!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Pauline. One thing kind of leads to another when it comes to tea! There is one traditional tea sandwich I don't like - smoked salmon. Just don't like it, always ask them to give me another egg sandwich instead.

April J Harris said...

Hi again, Jean! Just wanted to let you know that I'm featuring this post at Hearth and Soul this week as part of my summer entertaining features. Thank you so much again for sharing it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, thank you so much!

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a sweet gift. I have a friend who has the exact same set, in fact she has a whole set of dishes in that design, it is always a treat to be served on them.

Your chicken tea sandwiches sound delightful. I just might give it a try. My current favorite chicken salad sandwich is made with chopped pecans and chopped green grapes - ooooh delicious. It is a little tedious chopping the grapes - I've not found a fast way to chopt them up without mushing them - but so good and worth the time.

I love your blog - such wonderful recipes - and tea.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you so much, JoAnn! And I must try your sandwich with pecans and grapes. A good tea sandwich is always worth tedious chopping! :-) I hope you'll enter the tea giveaway as well.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Jean, your chicken sandwiches sound delightful and I love a good chicken salad sandwich with tea! I love the OCR pattern and I have acquired a few special pieces. How lovely you have been gifted your friend's set to enjoy. Merry Christmas!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sandi, thank you. I'm glad you and I have a few pieces of OCR to enjoy! I don't know where I'd put Ruth's service for 12! :-)

Pamela said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! Yes, that's the same Old Country Roses teapot set that I have. Love your Coronation Chicken recipe - will definitely try it for my next afternoon tea.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Pamela! I hope you and your guests will enjoy the sandwiches!

Shelley said...

Gracious, 74 comments here already! Your coronation chicken recipe sounds wonderful. I must admit that though I don't watch my weight particularly well any more anything with a half cup of mayonnaise is enough to put me off. And, to be honest, anything with a long ingredients list as well. I long ago decided, after years of observation, that my family and friends were easily divided into one of two camps sewing-wise: one either loved hand sewing or machine sewing, rarely both. People who preferred hand sewing were like me: loathe to cut into that large piece of fabric; others just hacked away merrily. (I solved that problem by doing patchwork with other peoples' scraps). So, too, do people seemingly fall into one of two cooking camps: a recipe-follower or a makeitup-as-you-go person. I was the former until I discovered Universal Recipes in the Tightwad Gazette. From then I was the latter. Reading recipes does inspire me to try new things, though. Will think of some of those uneaten packets of dried fruits a bit differently next time I'm cooking poultry for dinner...cross your fingers for me!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Shelley, I think you're right about the two camps: I'm definitely a machine sewer and a make-it-up-as-I-go cook. But since I'm a recipe developer, I make sure to write it down as I go! Like my mother before me, I read cookbooks like novels.