Sophie Bennett
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are large, bright orange mushrooms that grow on old, dying or dead trees. They are easy to identify and can be found in late spring through to fall in most areas. They have a unique texture and flavour that is similar to chicken when cooked, making them a great meat substitute for vegetarian and vegan meals. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, including blanching, frying, sautéing, and baking. When preparing Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, it is important to clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt or other particles. They can be used in a variety of dishes such as pasta, risotto, sandwiches, soups, and stews.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Chicken of the Woods, Sulphur Shelf, Chicken Mushrooms, Sulphur Shelf Fungus, Chicken Fungus |
| Colour | Light Yellow, Pale Orange, Bright Orange, Peach, White |
| Shape | Fan-shaped, Shell-shaped, Tiered Clusters, Shelves |
| Size | 2-12 inches in diameter |
| Texture | Chicken-like, Meaty, Fibrous |
| Taste | Chicken-like, Mildly Lemony |
| Edible Parts | Outer Edges of Caps |
| Gills | Absent |
| Stem | Absent |
| Spores | White |
| Growth Locations | Dead Trees, Dying Trees, Living Trees, Roots of Living or Dying Trees |
| Tree Types | Oak, Maple, Beech, Willow, Wild Cherry, Sweet Chestnut, Eucalyptus, Yew |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a Paper or Breathable Fabric Bag for 7-10 Days |
| Long-term Storage | Freezing, Drying |
| Preparation | Boiling, Frying, Breaded, Blanched, Sautéed, Battered, Baked |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify chicken of the woods mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms to identify and are a great option for beginner foragers. They are commonly found in deciduous woodland, favouring oak, willow, wild cherry, and yew trees. They can also be found on fallen logs and stumps. Chicken of the Woods is a polypore mushroom, meaning it has small pores on its underside rather than gills. It has a distinct bright orange and yellow colour, though there may be some variation within the same species. The caps are semi-circular to fan-shaped, with wavy edges, and can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) across. The underside is a solid cream to yellow colour. The mushrooms grow in large clusters or brackets and can sometimes be found high up on weakened or dying trees.
While there are no deadly look-alikes for Chicken of the Woods, there are a few similar species to be aware of. The Jack-o'-Lantern mushroom is orange and grows on decaying wood, but it has distinct gills on its underside and is bioluminescent. The Dyer's Polypore may have some orange on its upper surface, but it turns dark brown as the mushroom matures and has a velvety texture that Chicken of the Woods lacks. The Woolly Velvet Polypore is generally brown with a white to cream outer margin, though the lighter shades may have an orange tint. Pycnoporus cinnabarinus is bright red-orange on both the top and underside. Hen of the Woods mushrooms are sometimes confused with Chicken of the Woods due to their similar names, but they are brown to grey in colour and have a different overall look. Black Staining Polypore has fan-shaped caps similar to Chicken of the Woods but is not yellow, orange, or peach in colour.
It is important to accurately identify Chicken of the Woods mushrooms before consuming them, as some similar species may be toxic or cause digestive issues. If you are unsure, it is best to seek guidance from an experienced mycologist or use reliable field guides specific to your region.
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How to forage for chicken of the woods mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are a great option for beginner foragers as there are no deadly look-alikes. However, there are some key guidelines to follow when identifying and foraging for them.
Firstly, Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are never found on the ground. They grow on sick, dying, or dead trees, usually hardwood trees such as oak and cherry. They are often found on the side of a tree, rather than out of the roots. You are unlikely to find them on young, healthy trees. They thrive in damp, wooded areas and can be found from spring through to early fall, with September and October being the best months in Southern Ohio.
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are easily identifiable by their bright, vibrant orange and yellow hues, although they can also be peach-coloured. They have a distinctive “sea shell" shape, with tiny pores on their underside, rather than gills, and no stems. They are smooth with wavy edges. The underside will be a solid cream to yellow colour, and the top will be some shade of orange, sometimes streaked with yellow. They tend to be more vibrant when young, fading as they age.
When foraging, use a sharp knife to cut the mushrooms from the tree. The outer edges of the caps are the best parts to eat as they are the most tender, so it is worth leaving the tougher central parts to spore out and complete their life cycle.
Before cooking, clean the mushrooms thoroughly by brushing off any dirt and debris. Cut away any woody areas before slicing to your desired size. Chicken of the Woods mushrooms can be sautéed, grilled, or roasted, and are a fantastic substitute for chicken in vegetarian and vegan recipes. They are also suitable for barbecuing.
It is important to note that Chicken of the Woods mushrooms contain oxalic acid, which can lead to gout, kidney stones, and inflammation if consumed in high quantities. Boiling the mushrooms can help to reduce the levels of oxalic acid and make the mushrooms more tender.
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How to store chicken of the woods mushrooms
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms can be stored in a few different ways. One popular method is to place them in a paper bag and then put them in the refrigerator. They can last up to 3 weeks this way, although after 1 week, you would be pushing your luck.
If you want to keep them for longer, you can freeze them. Unlike most other mushrooms, Chicken of the Woods mushrooms can be frozen without being cooked first and will retain their texture and flavour. To do this, first trim and clean the mushrooms, then pat them dry with a paper towel or place them on a kitchen towel to dry. Make sure they are completely dry, then place them in ziplock bags and put them in the freezer. They will last for up to a year frozen.
If you want to freeze them in portions, you can sauté them in butter and salt first, then let them cool and place them in ziplock bags in the freezer. You can also freeze them in ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen cubes to a plastic bag.
Another option is to dehydrate the mushrooms, although some sources say that they don't bounce back well after being dehydrated. To dehydrate them, slice them into half-inch chunks and place them in a food dehydrator. Once they are dry, you can store them in an airtight jar or ziplock bag.
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Chicken of the woods mushroom recipes
Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. They are popular among foragers and food enthusiasts for their unique flavour and texture. The mushrooms are also nutritious, being rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Here are some recipes to try:
Sautéed Chicken of the Woods
This is a simple and popular way to prepare Chicken of the Woods mushrooms. The mushrooms are cut into 0.5-inch-thick pieces and sautéed with garlic and shallots. The mushrooms should be cooked for at least 10 minutes to avoid any adverse reactions. After sautéing, the mushrooms can be served as a side dish or added to a larger dish like fajitas or stir-fry.
Fried Chicken of the Woods
This recipe gives the mushrooms a crunchy texture similar to fried chicken with a hint of lemon. The mushrooms are breaded in a flour-egg-crumb mixture and fried in oil. Some variations include adding thyme and garlic to the pan while frying.
BBQ Chicken of the Woods
In this recipe, the mushrooms are marinated in a BBQ sauce and grilled. This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy the unique flavour of Chicken of the Woods with a sweet and smoky twist.
Pickled Chicken of the Woods
Pickling is a great way to preserve Chicken of the Woods mushrooms. They can be pickled whole or cut into smaller pieces and stored in a brine solution. Pickled mushrooms can be added to salads, sandwiches, or enjoyed as a snack.
Chicken of the Woods with Lemon Cream
This recipe is perfect for younger and tender Chicken of the Woods mushrooms. The mushrooms are cut into pieces and sautéed or fried, then served with a creamy lemon sauce. The lemon cream can be made by reducing lemon juice and adding cream, butter, or oil.
It is important to note that Chicken of the Woods mushrooms should never be eaten raw as they can cause gastrointestinal distress. Always cook the mushrooms thoroughly and sample a small amount if you are trying them for the first time.
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How to grow chicken of the woods mushrooms
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are edible fungi that are prized for their texture, which is remarkably similar to chicken. They are brightly coloured and grow on dead or dying trees, usually hardwoods such as oak, maple and beech. They are often found on the stumps or roots of these trees, and sometimes on their trunks. They are widespread in the United Kingdom, North America and Europe.
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are relatively easy to grow, although achieving a substantial size can be challenging. They grow on logs and it can be difficult to prevent the substrate from decomposing before the mushrooms are ready to fruit. One method of growing chicken of the woods involves sterilising 15cm diameter maple logs in polypropylene bags and then inoculating them with supplemented sawdust spawn. The mycelium tends to be aggressive on PDA, grain and supplemented sawdust spawn. Target moisture should be 55-58% by weight and pH should be 6.6-6.9.
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are usually found in the summer and early fall, although they will fruit throughout the year when conditions are favourable. They are often found in the same location year after year. They grow in overlapping layers and resemble small wavy shelves, with smooth or finely wrinkled surfaces. Their fan-shaped caps can range from 2 to 12 inches across and their colour varies from species to species, fading from bright hues to tan or light brown as they mature.
It is important to only eat chicken of the woods that have been correctly identified. Some species grow on trees such as eucalyptus, yew, cedar and willow, which contain compounds that are poisonous to humans. Only eat chicken of the woods that have been growing on hardwood/deciduous trees.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are large, fan-shaped, bright orange mushrooms with a yellow underside. They grow in multiple layers that resemble small shelves and can be found on dead or dying trees.
You can prepare chicken of the woods mushrooms by boiling them to remove the oxalic acid and then breading and frying them. You can also slice and dry the mushrooms for later use.
Chicken of the woods mushrooms are versatile and can be used in place of chicken in most recipes. They can be blanched, fried, sautéed, or baked.
