Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

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Wild mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, and colors- and some are amongst the most delicious ingredients in the world.

Of all the freaky and flavorful fungi out there, few are as interesting to cook with as the Chicken of the Woods mushroom.

It is not only the name that stands out- they also have a unique appearance and flavor that makes them unlike anything else you are likely to have cooked with.

What’s more- they are exceptionally versatile and can be cooked in many ways.

Below, I have listed my top two favorite ways to serve Chicken of the woods mushrooms that are quick, simple, and easy to prepare at home.

All these Chicken of the Woods mushroom recipes are vegetarian!

About the Chicken of the Woods Mushroom

If you ever spot Chicken of the Woods mushrooms growing in the wild, you may think the aliens have invaded.

This bright orange and pale yellow fan-shaped fungus grows horizontally from the sides of tree trunks- creating a layered shelf effect reminiscent of something you might see in Cirque du Soleil!

They are safe to eat (always a good place to start) and are often used in vegetarian and vegan cooking because of how much they taste and feel like meat.

What Do They Taste Like?

No awards given for guessing the flavor of these shrooms!

Chicken of the Woods mushrooms taste like chicken- making them the ideal ingredient for vegan and vegetarian cooking.

The texture is firmer than the average fungus- almost a meaty texture, but it still has a touch of the spongy feeling mushrooms are known for- hate it or love it.

Where Can You Get Them?

Chicken of the Woods mushrooms grow wild on several types of trees- from ash to oak trees. If you are an experienced forager, you can probably spot them a mile away.

Don’t worry- if foraging mushrooms isn’t your thing, you can find them at farmer’s markets and in some specialty stores.

Bear in mind that unlike our beech mushroom recipe, these delicious mushrooms usually only grow naturally in the fall, so you may not be able to buy them all year round.

My Two Favorite Chicken of the Woods Recipe Suggestions

There are plenty of amazing Chicken of the Woods mushroom recipes- but these two stand out to me above the rest.

Side note: Always cook Chicken of the Woods mushrooms thoroughly- NEVER eat them raw!

Option One: Simple Sauteed Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

This delicious wild mushroom doesn’t need much to turn it into an incredible meal.

In fact, simply sautéing them in a pan with just a few ingredients you probably have at home is arguably the best way to eat them!

Option Two: Chicken Fried Mushrooms of the Woods

I could eat panda express mushroom chicken every day, but when I discovered this recipe, chicken fried mushrooms became my new favorite thing!

Ingredients

• Four good-sized slices of cleaned and trimmed Chicken of the Woods mushroom (similar to a sliced chicken breast)
• One cup of all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Half a teaspoon of sweet paprika (add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want a mild flavor of heat)
• Three eggs
• One lightly crushed garlic clove
• A quarter cup of cooking oil
• Two tablespoons of unsalted butter

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Yield: Four pieces

Method

• Pat each mushroom slice with a paper towel- a dried mushroom is much better for the coating to cling to.
• Mix the flour and all seasonings and split into two bowls. Crack the eggs in another.
• Cover the mushrooms in the first flour mix, then dip in the egg bowl, then dip once more in the second flour bowl.
• Heat the oil and butter in a hot skillet along with the garlic clove.
• Cook each mushroom until crispy on both sides. Pat it dry, sprinkle it with seasoning, and enjoy!

Side Note

This chicken fried mushroom tastes great in a sandwich- you could also enjoy Chicken of the Woods chicken burger style.

Switch up this Chicken of the Woods recipe to create a vegetarian crispy burger- perfect for a quick and tasty lunch. No other mushrooms come close to this for replacing chicken.

Lightly toast the bread, spread with dijon mustard, grill a few veggies- and off you go!

Final Notes

It is tough to beat these delicious wild mushrooms. The list of Chicken of the Woods mushroom recipe ideas is endless- they truly are a versatile and exciting ingredient!

Please note- when foraging for wild mushroom caps, never pick anything you are not 100% certain is safe to eat.

There are poisonous mushrooms out there that could be mistaken for Chicken of the Woods to an inexperienced eye- so don’t risk it if you are not sure.

Whether you are looking for an excellent meat alternative or just a major mushroom fan, Chicken of the Woods should be at the top of your list of things to try next.