Vibrant & Creamy Coronation Chickpea Salad (Lettuce Cups & Sandwich Filler)
Published on March 30th, 2026
Intermediate
If you are looking for a fresh, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying lunch idea, you have just found your new favourite meal prep staple.
This Coronation chickpea salad recipe is a brilliant vegetarian spin on the classic British Coronation chicken. By swapping out the meat for plump, creamy chickpeas and tossing them in a warmly spiced, fruity dressing, we’ve created a curried chickpea salad that hits all the right sweet and savoury notes.
Whether you elegantly serve it in Little Gem lettuce cups, pile it on a jacket potato, or enjoy it as a robust filling for a coronation chickpea sandwich, this 15-minute recipe will enliven your midday meals.
Why You’ll Love This Vegetarian Coronation Salad
Ready in 15 Minutes: No cooking required beyond a quick 30-second toasting of your spices!
Perfect for Meal Prep: The flavours deepen and improve after a day in the fridge.
Light but Satisfying: By using a blend of mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt, the dressing stays rich and creamy without feeling heavy.
Versatile: Enjoy low-carb in lettuce cups, load it into crusty bread, or eat it straight from the bowl.
Key Ingredients for the Dressing & Salad
To get that authentic British coronation sauce flavour, you only need a handful of pantry staples and some fresh produce:
Spices: Whole cumin seeds and ground turmeric. Lightly toasting the cumin seeds is the secret to unlocking a deep, aromatic flavour.
The Creamy Base: Mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt for a bright, tangy dressing.
Sweet & Spicy Elements: Mango chutney and diced green chilli deliver sweet-heat balance.
Fresh Mango: While classic recipes use sultanas or raisins, incorporating freshly diced mango elevates this salad to a new level of vibrancy.
Chickpeas: Large, velvety chickpeas deliver optimal texture.
Fresh Greens: Little Gem lettuce and fresh coriander (cilantro) add the perfect crunch and herbaceous finish.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped
- 70g mayonnaise
- 50g Greek yoghurt
- 1 tbsp mango chutney
- 570g jar/tin of Queen Chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 Little Gem lettuces
- ¼ x 25g pack fresh coriander, chopped
Instructions
- Toast the Spices: Lightly crush the cumin seeds in a pestle and mortar. Heat a small, dry frying pan over medium heat, then add the crushed cumin and turmeric. Toast for 30 seconds, stirring, until aromatic.
- Mix the Coronation Sauce: Tip the toasted spices into a large mixing bowl. Add the finely chopped green chilli, mayonnaise, Greek yoghurt, and mango chutney. Stir well to combine into a smooth, vibrant yellow dressing.
- Peel, halve, and stone the mango. Cut the flesh into small dice. Add the diced mango and drained chickpeas to your spiced dressing. Stir gently until the chickpeas are well coated.d.
- Prepare the Lettuce Cups: Separate the Little Gem lettuce leaves, reserving about 12 of the best outer leaves as "cups." Finely shred the lettuce hearts and fold them into the chickpea mixture for extra crunch.
- Assemble and Serve: Pile the creamy chickpea salad into the reserved Little Gem lettuce leaves. Serve immediately, scattered with plenty of fresh coriander.
- Mix thoroughly. Cook 2-3 minutes, tossing, until the rice is hot and has absorbed the spiced flavours. Serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this a vegan alternative to coronation chicken?
Absolutely! To make this a 100% plant-based coronation recipe, simply swap the standard mayonnaise for a vegan mayo, and use an unsweetened plain dairy-free yoghurt (like coconut or soy yoghurt) in place of the Greek yoghurt. Ensure your mango chutney is vegan-friendly, and you're good to go!
How long does this chickpea salad keep in the fridge?
Store the curried chickpea mix in an airtight container. It will keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. For meal prep, add the shredded lettuce and coriander juice before serving so they don't wilt.
What else can I serve with coronation chickpeas?
It’s fantastic in a lettuce cup. It also makes a great coronation chickpea sandwich. Spoon it between thick sourdough slices or into a wholemeal pita. Try it spooned over a baked potato, too!
I don't have fresh mango. What can I use instead?
If fresh mango isn’t available, stir in some golden sultanas, raisins, or chopped dried apricots. You’ll get that classic fruity coronation sweetness.
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