I’ve been making this Coronation Chickpea Smash for years, and I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to share it! With its creamy, gently spiced dressing and hearty chickpeas, it’s one of my all-time favourite vegan sandwich fillings. Easy to make and ready in just 10 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weekdays.
Coronation Chickpea Smash is a vegan take on the classic British Coronation Chicken. The original dish was created in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and quickly became a much-loved British favourite. This plant-based version replaces the chicken with the humble chickpea, which works beautifully here thanks to its hearty texture and ability to soak up all those delicious flavours.
My favourite way to serve it is piled into a sandwich with a handful of rocket (arugula). The peppery leaves work so well with the creamy, gently spiced filling and add a lovely freshness.
It’s also become one of my family’s favourite no-cook evening meals, especially on those hot summer days when you don’t want to turn on the oven. We pile it into soft flatbreads with a layer of Greek-style plant-based yoghurt, then add plenty of rocket, crunchy cucumber, sweet vine-ripened cherry tomatoes and fresh mint. It’s fresh, vibrant and wonderfully satisfying. If we’re feeling extra hungry, we’ll often add some diced smoked tofu too. It pairs beautifully with the gently spiced curry flavours.
Quick, easy and budget-friendly, this Coronation Chickpea Smash is another delicious addition to my 3 Healthy Meals for £3 a Day series, where I share simple, nourishing plant-based recipes for everyday life.
The recipe makes 2 generous servings and costs approximately 64p per serving (or 91p per serving including bread and rocket).
Cost Breakdown
Coronation Chickpea Smash
- 400g / 14 oz can chickpeas (Tesco, 41p)
- 2 TBSP vegan mayonnaise (Hellman’s Plant-Based, 26p)
- 2 TBSP vegan Greek-style yoghurt (Alpro Greek Style Plain, 19p)
- 4 tsp mild curry powder (Tesco, 14p)
- 2 TBSP mango chutney (Tesco, 16p)
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar (Tesco, 4p)
- 3 TBSP sultanas (Tesco, 12p)
Served with:
4 slices of thick bread (Tesco Seeded, 33p)
Handful of rocket (Tesco, 17p)
Total: £1.82
Cost per serving: 91p
Prices are correct as of July 2026, and are based on Tesco prices as that’s where I currently do my main grocery shop.
The Good Stuff
Chickpeas – little legumes with lots to offer!
Chickpeas are one of my favourite ingredients for affordable, nourishing plant-based cooking. These humble little legumes are packed with dietary fibre and provide a good source of plant-based protein, helping to make this Coronation Chickpea Smash a satisfying and nourishing meal.
They’re also rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, potassium and folate, along with other beneficial plant compounds. Their creamy texture and ability to absorb flavours make them incredibly versatile – from curries and soups to salads, spreads and sandwich fillings like this one!
Top Tips & FAQs
Where to buy vegan mayonnaise?
There are now lots of vegan mayonnaise options available in UK supermarkets. My personal favourite is Hellmann’s Plant-Based Mayo. You can also make your own vegan mayonnaise – it’s surprisingly quick, easy and cheap to make! I have a recipe for Quick & Easy Vegan Mayonnaise on the blog.
What yoghurt works best in this recipe?
A thick, creamy Greek-style yoghurt works best here. I usually use Alpro Greek Style High Protein Plain. You can also use a regular plain or coconut plant-based yoghurt, though the filling will have a slightly looser consistency.
If you prefer, you can simply replace the yoghurt with extra vegan mayonnaise for a richer Coronation Chickpea Smash.
What curry powder works best?
I recommend using a mild curry powder for this recipe, but different brands can vary quite a lot in flavour and strength. I usually use 3 – 4 teaspoons depending on the brand and how strong I’d like the curry flavour to be. If you’re unsure, start with 3 teaspoons and add more to taste.
Can I make this recipe without mango chutney?
Mango chutney is what gives this recipe its signature sweet, fruity flavour, so I’d recommend including it if possible. If you don’t have any to hand, you could substitute with a little apricot jam or another fruity chutney.
Can I make it more protein-rich?
For a protein boost, I recommend folding through some diced smoked tofu before serving. It pairs beautifully with the gently spiced curry flavours and makes it a wonderfully satisfying filling for wraps or flatbreads.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Coronation Chickpea Smash is naturally gluten-free. Simply serve it with your favourite gluten-free bread, wrap or flatbread.
Recipe Card
Coronation Chickpea Smash
Ingredients
- 3 TBSP sultanas
- 1 x 400g / 14 oz can chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 2 TBSP vegan mayonnaise
- 2 TBSP Greek-style plant-based yoghurt (or substitute with extra vegan mayonnaise)
- 3-4 tsp mild curry powder adjust to taste
- 2 TBSP mango chutney
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, plump up the sultanas by placing them in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vegan mayonnaise, yoghurt, curry powder, mango chutney and apple cider vinegar. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Tip the chickpeas into the bowl and roughly mash with a potato masher, leaving plenty of texture.
- Drain the sultanas and fold them through the mixture.
- Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately or chill until ready to use.
Notes
- Sandwich: Spread with a thin layer of buttery plant-based spread, and serve with a small handful of rocket (arugula). (Great for lunchboxes!)
- Flatbread: Spread with a thin layer of Greek-style plant-based yoghurt, then add rocket, cucumber, sweet vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, chopped fresh mint and the Coronation Chickpea Smash. Fold and enjoy as a delicious, no-cook meal!
- For an extra protein boost: Fold some diced smoked tofu into the filling. It pairs beautifully with the gently spiced curry flavours.
Nutritional Breakdown
N.B. These values are estimates and for illustration purposes only. The actual nutritional values will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. The % Reference Intake (RI) will also vary depending on your age, gender, height, BMI, level of activity and other personal variables.
Pin for Later ⬇️
Looking for More Chickpea Inspiration?
If you enjoyed this Coronation Chickpea Smash, here are a few more of my favourite chickpea recipes you might like to try next:
- Chickpea Smash with Dill Pickles
- Curried Chickpea Smash
- Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad Sandwich
- Chickpea & Sweet Potato Coconut Curry
- Golden Pan-Fried Chickpeas
I hope you enjoy this Coronation Chickpea Smash as much as we do! Whether you pile it into a sandwich for lunch or wrap it up with crunchy salad for a quick evening meal, I hope it becomes one of those dependable recipes you find yourself coming back to again and again.
If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment below and let me know how you served it. I always enjoy hearing your ideas ❤️
And if you share your creations on social media, I’d love to see them! Don’t forget to tag me using @goodstuffsharon or #bitofthegoodstuff on Instagram. You can also connect with me on Facebook and Pinterest.
With love,
Sharon xx