Coronation chicken jacket potato filling

A royal upgrade for your spud

Let’s hear it for the humble jacket potato (especially a Coronation chicken jacket potato)  – truly one of the most underrated lunches out there. Too often dismissed as “basic”, when in reality, it’s a glorious canvas for all things comforting, crispy and carb-loaded. Give me a fluffy, oven-baked spud with a banging topping over a sad little sandwich any day of the week. Honestly, I’m so obsessed I’ve got a whole food series dedicated to the jacket potato (yep, really). From cheesy beans to cowboy butter with steak, and even a full English baked potato – I’ve taken the jacket to new, delicious heights.

So obviously, it was only right to bring back another unsung hero: Coronation chicken. It’s creamy, it’s tangy, it’s got a touch of sweetness, a tiny bit of spice, and it’s just a winner all round. A British classic that deserves more air time, especially when spooned generously into a buttery hot potato.

What I love most is how versatile this filling is – you can make a batch ahead of time and use it throughout the week. Whack a few spoonfuls into a grilled cheese toastie, serve it with salad for a lazy lunch, or pile it into a massive crusty bloomer with loads of crisp lettuce and crunch.

And if you’ve been here a while, you’ll know I even created a 15-hour potato inspired by Coronation chicken for the Queen’s Jubilee a few years back – and honestly, it was one of my favourite potato moments to date.

Want more lunch inspo?

Bored of meal deals and done with overpriced sad desk lunches? You’re in the right place. Check out my full collection of lunch recipes here – from air fryer gems to loaded spuds and budget-friendly bites that still taste like a treat.

Speedy jackets

To save some extra prep time, make your jacket potatoes in the air fryer. You should get that beautiful crispy texture and fluffy interior but a lot quicker!