Where to Find Mushrooms That Taste Like Chicken

Chicken is used in many different types of food around the world. However, more and more people are trying to eat less meat for moral, health, or environmental reasons. Luckily, some types of mushrooms can taste and feel a lot like chicken when used as a plant-based substitute.

This article talks about the best mushrooms to use and where to find them. It also gives cooking tips to make the mushrooms taste more like chicken.

Oyster Mushrooms – The Most Reliable Chicken Flavor

Without a doubt, oyster mushrooms offer the closest match to the taste and texture of real chicken. Their subtle savory flavor takes on a richer, meatier profile when cooked. Oyster mushrooms also have a delicate, slightly chewy texture quite similar to chicken meat.

You can now find oyster mushrooms in a lot of grocery stores, usually near other specialty mushrooms. Larger stores will carry them in the fresh produce section. Asian food markets are a great place to find a wide range of oyster mushrooms, and they may have more than just the common grey variety.

Online retailers selling fresh specialty produce provide another option for home delivery of oyster mushrooms if local sources are limited. Farmers’ markets can also be a good hunting ground when in season, allowing you to buy direct from mushroom growers.

Chicken of the Woods – Uncanny Resemblance to Poultry

Chicken of the woods is a mushroom that can be found in the wild. As the name suggests, it tastes a lot like real chicken. The texture is also nearly indistinguishable from chicken meat.

Due to foraging restrictions, chicken of the woods are not typically commercially grown. You’ll need to source them from knowledgeable mushroom foragers selling at farmers markets or through online marketplaces. Make friends with an avid mushroom forager willing to harvest them for you. And always confirm an exact species identification before eating any wild mushrooms.

King Oyster – Intense Umami Chicken Flavor

While not as readily available as regular oyster mushrooms, king oysters can often be found in the produce section at Whole Foods or specialty Asian grocers. Their dense, meaty texture and intense umami flavor make them ideal chicken stand-ins for hearty dishes. The thick stemmed king oyster mushrooms can readily be turned into mock pulled chicken or chopped/sliced to replicate grilled chicken chunks.

More Options for Chickeny Mushrooms

While oyster and king oyster deliver the closest approximations, other mushroom varieties can provide more subtle chicken-esque flavors:

• Shiitake – Widely available with a firm texture and savory taste. Good for Asian stir-fries.

• Lion’s Mane – Delicate, seafood/chicken crossover flavor. Check health food stores or farmers’ markets.

• Chicken of the Woods – As described above, an uncanny chicken doppelganger but hard to source.

• Porcini – Earthy flavor with meaty bite. Better as a beef substitute but can work in some chicken dishes.

• White Button – Very mild. Need extra seasoning but absorb flavors well. Easy to find.

Preparing Mushrooms for Maximum Chicken Flavor

To get the most chicken-like experience from your mushrooms, keep these tips in mind:

• Sear or pan-fry in oil to get a crispy exterior resembling fried chicken skin.

• Marinate ahead of time in a chicken-friendly mix of smoked paprika, soy sauce, garlic and herbs.

• Shred or chop mushrooms before cooking to replicate shredded chicken texture.

• Add MSG or nutritional yeast to enhance savory umami flavors.

• Use mushroom stems for a meatier, more fibrous texture.

• Squeeze in fresh lemon juice to brighten up flavors.

• Bread and bake mushrooms for “chicken” fingers or nuggets.

Discover New Culinary Possibilities with Fungi

Mushrooms open up a world of tasty possibilities for those looking to cut back on chicken consumption. With a little creativity and the right preparation techniques, varieties like oyster and king oyster can flawlessly stand-in for poultry in many popular dishes. While not quite as convincing to the palate, more widely available mushrooms still absorb surrounding flavors nicely.

So don’t be chicken – branch out and begin experimenting with mushrooms to discover healthier, sustainable new favorite meals! Just be sure to source your mushrooms from reputable sellers. Always confirm correct identification on any wild varieties foraged from nature before eating. With this simple guidance, mushrooms can become a staple ingredient in your low-meat or vegan kitchen arsenal.