You can create a shortcut to your chapter folder, save the shortcut anywhere but pin it to Windows Explorer in the taskbar, then just right click Windows Explorer in the taskbar and you'll see the pinned folders: select the one you want and off you go. Saves on Taskbar real estate, too.
Or just drag the shortcuts to the Start Menu to pin them there, so just click Start and they they are.
That's two obvious solutions using standard Win 7 functionality.
I don't know why you see a delay in showing the target - possibly because of the way you are implementing your solution - possibly each launched folder is a fresh instance of Windows Explorer.
I see no delay when opening folders from shortcuts.
SD