People sometimes use the phrase “tastes like chicken” to describe the flavor of an unusual food. It’s in such common usage that the phrase has become somewhat of a cliché. But some weird foods really do taste like chicken. Such is the case ofLaetiporus sulphureus — commonly known as the Chicken of the Woods.
Chicken of the woods is a unique and delicious wild mushroom with a flavor and texture unlike any other fungus. Its name comes from its resemblance to chicken breast meat when cooked. But describing its taste simply as “like chicken” doesn’t fully capture the nuances of this mushroom’s distinctive flavor profile In this article, I’ll provide a comprehensive guide to answering the question what does chicken of the woods taste like?
An Overview of Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the woods, or Laetiporus sulphureus, is a bracket fungus that mostly grows on oak trees. It starts out bright orange or yellow and gets paler over time. With its many caps overlapping like shingles, the mushroom has a unique shelf-like look.
Chicken of the woods is edible and popular among foragers for its meaty texture and versatile flavor. It’s also known as “sulfur shelf” due to its faint sulfuric smell.
The Distinctive Flavor Profile
When cooked, chicken of the woods has a tender, fleshy texture reminiscent of chicken breast meat. But the taste is more complex:
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It has a mild, savory umami flavor similar to chicken or crab meat The taste is rich and meaty, with a hint of smokiness.
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Also there are hints of lemon and a little sweetness. Some describe subtle hints of anise or almond.
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The overall flavor is earthy, nutty, and mushroomy. The taste can vary depending on the age of the mushroom.
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Young specimens tend to be more tender and flavorful. Older ones get tough and bitter.
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The tree where the mushroom grows also affects the taste. Chicken of the woods from oak trees has the best flavor.
Preparing Chicken of the Woods
Proper preparation is key to bringing out chicken of the woods’ best flavors:
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Clean the mushroom carefully by brushing off any dirt or debris. Avoid soaking it.
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Slice mushrooms no thicker than 1/2 inch for even cooking.
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Cook thoroughly – never eat raw. Sauteeing, frying, baking, and grilling are great options.
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Complementary seasonings include garlic, shallots, lemon, thyme, sage, and light olive oil. Avoid heavy sauces that will mask the delicate flavor.
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Take care not to overcook. The tender texture can become rubbery if cooked too long.
Sensational Recipe Ideas
Chicken of the woods is extremely versatile. Here are some tasty ways to enjoy it:
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For the Chicken of the Woods “chicken” salad, cook the chicken and then mix it with mayonnaise, celery, onion, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
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To make creamy chicken of the woods pasta, sauté garlic, shallots, mushrooms, and shallots. Toss with fusilli, cream, parmesan, and fresh parsley.
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Chicken of the woods tacos – Fry mushrooms with onion and peppers. Add to corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, cilantro, and lime.
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Wild mushroom soup – Simmer chicken of the woods and other mushrooms in broth with onions, thyme, and cream. Blend and garnish with parsley.
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Chicken of the woods risotto – Sauté chopped mushrooms with shallots. Add to Arborio rice cooked in wine and broth. Finish with parmesan.
Health Benefits
Chicken of the woods contains protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. It offers these potential health benefits:
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May support immune function and digestive health due to high antioxidant content
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Contains compounds that may fight cancer cells
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Provides B vitamins like riboflavin, folate, and niacin
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Excellent non-meat source of protein
So savoring this mushroom provides a dose of nutrition along with its scrumptious taste and texture!
Safety First When Foraging
While chicken of the woods is edible, proper identification is crucial when foraging:
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Consult reputable field guides and experts to confirm identification.
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Avoid mushrooms growing on conifers like pine or cedar.
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Only harvest from living trees, never dead wood.
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Take care to differentiate from poisonous lookalikes like sulfur tuft.
When in doubt, remember it’s always better to be safe than sorry! Only eat mushrooms you are 100% certain of.
Satisfying and Sustainable
Chicken of the woods is satisfying to discover in the forest and provides a sustainable, eco-friendly food source. Its rich umami flavor and meaty texture make it a delicious plant-based protein. With proper identification and preparation, chicken of the woods is one of the most versatile and tasty mushrooms to forage. The complex symphony of savory, earthy, citrusy flavors will bring immense satisfaction to any wild food foraging enthusiast or fungi lover.
What is the Chicken of the Woods?
This fungus, Chicken of the Woods, grows on the sides of trees and makes structures that look like shelves. Unlike many other edible mushrooms, it is easily recognizable, with its bright orange and yellow colors. At first, mushroom hunters were interested in this fungus because of how it looked. But soon, it was found to have a unique flavor that could be used instead of meat.
Laetiporus sulphureus was first described as Boletus sulphureus by French mycologist Pierre Bulliard in 1789. It’s been known by many designations across the years and was finally given its current scientific name in 1920 by American mycologist William Murrill. Laetiporus means “with bright pores” and sulphureus refers to the pale yellow color of sulfur.
The brightly colored Laetiporus fungus is easy to spot and often grows in groups. It is also known as the chicken mushroom or the chicken fungus. The fungus grows in big brackets on oak trees that are either alive or dying. It turns wood reddish brown and hearty. If the mushrooms are seen fruiting, you can be sure that the fungus has already attacked the tree.
They’re pretty huge, growing 2 to 20 inches across. Some of the mushroom brackets can weigh up to 100 pounds (45 kg).
The chicken of the woods can also be found growing frequently on eucalyptus, yew, cherry wood, sweet chestnut, and willow.
The top surface of the chicken of the woods is bright orange and tends to lighten in color near the edges. This fungus has no gills, but its bright yellow undersurface is covered with tiny pores. With age, the color of the mushroom dulls from bright yellows to orange and then pure white. Older specimens tend to become brittle, as well. Laetiporus sulphureus. Credit: Wikimedia Commons. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
What does the Chicken of the Woods taste like?
People who’ve tried cooking the chicken of the woods describe it as “succulent”, with a mild flavor. At first bite, you might find the taste oddly familiar, perhaps reminding you of chicken, crab, or lobster. The mushroom is also high in protein (about 14 grams per 100 grams, which is similar to quinoa) and you can feel it.
Even its sinewy texture is oh-so-similar to soft, juicy, tender chicken meat. It can make a fine chicken substitute as long as you make sure to fully cook the mushroom, making it a great ingredient for any vegetarian diet.
But although it’s considered a delicacy, in some parts of the world, like Germany and some regions of the USA, Laetiporus is seen as a pest, since it causes brown rot — a type of tree decay. Historically, this fungus was known to damage the wooden ships of the British Naval Fleet.
Edible shelf fungus (chicken of the woods ‘mushroom’)
FAQ
Does chicken of the woods taste good?
Chicken of the Woods has a flavor that is quite close to chicken, and even the texture and scent are comparable. This mushroom is an incredible substitute for those looking to add a meaty texture to their plant-based dishes. Its ability to absorb flavors makes it versatile for various recipes.
Are there toxic look alikes for chicken of the woods?
One species that’s a chicken of the woods’ poisonous look-alikes is the jack-o’-lantern (Omphalotus illudens).
What is the best way to eat chicken of the woods?
You can blanch, fry, sauté, or bake chicken of the woods mushrooms, just like you would with any other mushrooms in a favorite recipe. The mushrooms should be carefully cleaned to remove any dirt or other particles before being prepared for a dish.
Can I eat chicken of the woods raw?
Yes, you can eat chicken of the woods, and it gets its name from the fact that its dense fibrous flesh has a texture very similar to cooked chicken.