40+ Chicken of the Woods Mushroom Recipes

Whether you call them chicken of the woods, chicken mushrooms or sulfur shelf, these mushrooms are a colorful joy to behold on fallen trees.

Chicken of the woods is a great wild mushroom for beginners. They are easily identifiable and have no threatening look-alikes. Additionally, their bright yellow-orange shade makes them easily distinguishable from the fallen or rotting wood they often grow on and therefore easy to spot from afar.

You’ll find chicken of the woods mushrooms growing on rotting or dead wood, particularly on oaks and other hardwoods. You may find chicken of the woods growing on living trees, but this is a sign that decay is either imminent or has already begun in these trees.

The name chicken of the woods refers to all mushrooms in the Laetiporus genus. Some common varieties are Laetiporus sulphureus, Laetiporus cincinnatus and Laetiporus conifericola which grows on conifers like spruce and fir.

Laetiporus sulphureus grows particularly well on oak, but you may find it growing on other hardwoods like poplar and willow as well. Both Laetiporus cincinnatus and Laetiporus sulphureus grow around the East Coast and Great Lakes region, while Laetiporus conifericola is found on the West Coast.

In most locations, chicken of the woods will appear in the summer months. However, warmer locales may find chicken of the woods most easily in late spring, while cooler locations might have better luck in the early fall months.

Choosing the Best Chicken of the Woods

Mushrooms reappear in the same locations every year, so once you’ve found a spot, keep your eye on it to see when these fleshy, orange fungi appear. Having a regular site for foraging chicken of the woods mushrooms is a valuable asset indeed.

Chicken of the woods are yellowish orange, growing in horizontal shelves on dead or rotting wood. The underside has no gills, is bright yellow and covered in practically microscopic pores. These super small pores may look like fuzz at first glance, but if you peer closely enough you’ll see teeny tiny pores.

Mushrooms that are in their prime will be bright yellow on the underside. Once aged, this color fades to a more whitish-yellow. Look for mushrooms with this bright yellow underbelly for the best recipes – older mushrooms are good for little else than broth or stock.

Chicken of the woods should release easily from the tree. Simply grasp the mushrooms securely and pull away. Their fruiting season is short and this mushroom grows plentifully on dead wood. Take as many as you please when harvesting, as the lot will likely be past its prime in a matter of days.

Collect your mushrooms in a bucket, bag or basket and transport them home for cleaning. Once home, cut away any dirt and look out for bugs and critters as you clean the mushrooms. Give extra dirty mushrooms a quick wash right before cooking.

Young mushrooms can be cooked in larger pieces as they will be the most tender. Older mushrooms will have to be trimmed, as often only the outer 1 to 2 inches will be worthy of cooking – the remainder and stem will likely be too woody.

Chicken of the woods can also be found at farmers markets in many areas as well as a few online resources.

Chicken of the Woods Recipes

Chicken of the woods mushrooms are called so because their flavor resembles chicken so closely. You’ll find a plethora of vegan and vegetarian recipes using this flavorful mushroom as a meat substitute for this very reason. Others find the flavor to somewhat resemble lobster or crab. As such, they make a great addition to pasta and creamy soups.

Chicken of the woods mushrooms can be added to just about any meal of the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks and starters can all make use of this meaty mushroom. Be aware that all recipes require cooking the mushroom first (most recommended for at least 5 to 10 minutes), as eating raw or undercooked mushrooms can lead to digestive issues and discomfort.

Chicken of the Woods Soup Recipes

A variety of warm and comforting soups and stews can be made with chicken of the woods mushrooms. Try a rich chicken and noodle soup with chicken of the woods used in place of chicken or whip up a creamy blend of mushrooms for a truly satisfying soup. More opportunities to work in chicken of the woods include wild rice soup, coconut Thai soup or even potato and corn chowder.

Accidentally collected a few tougher chicken of the woods mushrooms? These older, woodier bits can be used to make chicken of the woods stock for future soups. Stock like this can be added to stews and chilis as well, especially mushroom chili. Pair these warming classics with buttered toast or fresh loaves to make it a meal after a long day.

Chicken of the Woods Breakfast Recipes

Chicken of the woods mushrooms make a great addition to a variety of breakfast classics. Add mushrooms to hashbrowns to serve with eggs and other fare. A BBQ breakfast sandwich with eggs, chicken of the woods and toast is another fantastic choice. Cheese, cooked chicken of the woods and eggs make a tasty breakfast burrito.

Try adding freshly sauteed chicken of the woods mushrooms to scrambled eggs with a sprinkling of goat cheese – drizzle with truffle oil and garnish with chopped chives for a truly gourmet breakfast. A polypore omelet with chicken of the woods, diced shallot, fresh parsley and shredded cheese is yet another spectacular option.

In search of some larger breakfast dishes for a group? Try mushroom quiche with either a medley of mushrooms or just chicken of the woods alongside fresh herbs, half and half, cheddar cheese and parmesan.

Chicken of the Woods Savory Main Courses

Chicken of the woods can be used as a meat substitute in numerous dinner recipes as the flavor and texture of this mushroom is so robust. Consider marinating chicken of the woods for a gourmet sandwich, using them in taquitos, fajitas or even on pizza. More options include Italian Fungo del Carrubo (braised mushrooms with tomatoes and served with charred bread), deep-fried schnitzel, mushroom stroganoff and even an easy red curry with ginger and coconut milk.

Looking for more protein-rich meals? Try adding chicken of the woods mushrooms to saltimbocca, an Italian dish traditionally made with veal. Because chicken of the woods can replace cutlets of meat it works incredibly well in this simple dish combined with the flavors of prosciutto, sage and brown butter. Combine chicken of the woods with actual chicken in creamy Forestière, a wild rice and chicken casserole or thinly sliced veal in a stir fry.

Vegan and Vegetarian

Protein-Rich

Chicken of the Woods Pasta Recipes

Pasta recipes are another delectable opportunity to use up a batch of chicken of the woods mushrooms. You can utilize these mushrooms to make creamy pasta sauces for penne, fettucini, linguini or pappardelle. Try a classic cream sauce made from mushrooms, stock and white wine, or opt for a richer concoction made from lemon zest, fresh chives and heavy cream.

Mushrooms can also be added to pasta bakes, piccata or used as a pasta filling with ricotta and parmesan for ravioli and tortellini. Adding these mushrooms to alfredo with a little broccoli is another exceptional idea as is chicken of the woods mac and cheese made with sharp cheddar, breadcrumbs and fresh grated nutmeg. Polish pasta is one last dish to try, made from onions, mushrooms, cabbage and squares of pasta in a big cozy pan – this dish is a classic bite of Polish comfort food.

Chicken of the Woods Snack Recipes

For smaller meals and snackable fare, consider using chicken of the woods to excite your vegetarian guests. Toss together some chicken of the woods for faux fried chicken, imitation popcorn chicken, or kid-friendly “chicken” nuggets. Buffalo tenders are another fan favorite for these tasty fungi as are savory chicken of the woods tacos on corn tortillas.

A mock club sandwich is another snackable choice for nibbling between meals or before shooting out the door. These mushrooms are also great in wraps like vegan shawarma. You can also chop and cook these chicken of the woods to make a veggie-based chicken salad for serving with crackers or spreading on finger sandwiches.

Chicken of the Woods Side Dishes

For filling the table during large family gatherings, an assortment of side dishes is a must. Incorporate chicken of the woods into a patchwork of side dishes like risottos, gnocchi and fried rice. You can also saute chicken of the woods with your favorite veggies to accompany a range of main courses or simply cook in garlic, butter and your choice of seasonings for a compatible side dish to poultry and other meats.

Rice pilaf is another remarkable side dish in which chicken of the woods mushrooms can be used. Go with classic white rice and chicken broth or try quinoa and shredded kale. Serve with everything from ribs and chicken to beef and broccoli.

Cultured & Fermented Chicken of the Woods

Chicken of the woods mushrooms are prime for pickling. This is an especially great method to prolong your mushroom bounty before they go bad. Make a simple pickling solution from water, salt, garlic, white wine vinegar and a few spices, or make an Italian blend of vinegar, lemon peel, garlic cloves, oregano, chili flakes and olive oil.

Use these zesty pickled mushrooms on everything from sandwiches and salads to an antipasto charcuterie with crackers and cheese.

Preserving Chicken of the Woods

Sometimes, you get over-excited by the myriad of fruiting fungi at your fingertips and you overharvest. Sadly, chicken of the woods mushrooms only keep for about a week in the fridge and there are only so many dishes you can make in this short time. But all is not lost!

Extend the life of your mushrooms by cooking them in butter and freezing them in small portions to thaw and add to dishes in the coming months. Pickling mushrooms is another previously mentioned preservation option. You can also can chicken of the woods by boiling them and canning them in brine.

One last option for preservation and storage is drying chicken of the woods mushrooms or making bouillon powder. Bouillon powder may be used to make broth and stocks or added to sauces. Dried chicken of the woods mushrooms work well in recipes with long cooking times – add them straight from the jar to soups and stews. For other recipes, rehydrate the dried mushrooms by soaking them in water for 15 to 30 minutes then cook as usual, but do note they will often be tougher than fresh mushrooms. For this reason, recipes with extended cooking times are recommended.