The Chicken of the Woods mushroom is also known as sulphur shelf or laetiporus sulphureus. In Bucks County, Pennsylvania, it is Chicken of the Woods season! The season lasts from early summer through the fall, but the Mushroom Mavens mostly find Chicken of the Woods in the late summer and fall. We have found some gorgeous specimens this year – some were too old to harvest, and others were just right.
The Mushroom Mavens get lots of questions about Chicken of the Woods so I would like to try to answer some of those here.
- How do I know it’s fresh? The brighter the color of the Chicken of the Woods, the fresher it is. The top of the shelves or large lobes of the Chicken mushroom should be a bright orange or salmon to red color. The underside of the shelves should be bright yellow or sometimes cream color. It should not be infested with bugs, but a bug or two is always possible. Finally, there should be a good amount of moisture in the mushroom so that the shelves feel very or somewhat moist to the touch.
- How do I clean it? Mushrooms should be partially cleaned in the field before they come back to your house or before they are sold by any purveyor. No water is used in the field, but a dry brush should be used to remove any loose dirt, leaves, other debris or bugs. A brush will not reach into every crevice so thorough cleaning will be needed right before you cook the mushrooms. Some people recommend soaking mushrooms before cooking, but I prefer lots of cold, running water to rinse away any additional dirt, etc. In addition, it is helpful to pull apart the individual shelves and/or cut the mushrooms into the smaller pieces you plan to cook so the water can clean out any nooks and crannies. At this stage, I use a little pairing knife to cut off anything that doesn’t look right. Take note that many mushrooms, including Chicken of the Woods, will sometimes subsume leaves or small sticks if this debris gets in the way. You can cut out leaves or sticks, etc as you wash.
- How do I cook it? First, it is very important that all wild mushrooms be cooked completely. Do not consume wild mushrooms raw, ever. Second, Chicken of the Woods is a hearty mushroom that likes to be cooked in liquid. While this mushroom can be grilled or roasted, I suggest that this is a more advanced method for cooking this mushroom. Instead, start by sauteing the mushrooms in oil or butter. I use olive oil. Then add your favorite seasoning like Mushroom Mavens Za’atar and maybe even some other veggies that you like to cook with mushrooms or with chicken. After all, Chicken of the Woods gets its name from the fact it has a texture very similar to chicken, and some people think it also tastes like chicken. In fact, you can substitute Chicken of the Woods for just about any actual chicken recipe that you like. You will be amazed at how much the mushroom feels and even tastes like chicken.
- What is your favorite Chicken of the Woods recipe? I need to start by saying that Chicken of the Woods is one of my absolute favorite mushrooms. That said, it is so versatile that I like it many ways. On the simpler side, I love Chicken of the Woods sauteed with olive oil, lemon and za’atar spice. Za’atar and lemon are a match made in heaven, and that combo goes great on many types of mushrooms, especially Chicken of the Woods. [You can purchase the Mushroom Mavens homemade za’atar right here.] A little more involved, Chicken of Woods Parmesan is amazing and one of the recipes that will surprise you; it is hard to tell that you are eating a mushroom, because it really feels like chicken! Other great recipes include Chicken of the Woods Tikka Masala, Fried Chicken of the Woods, and Grilled Orange Chicken of the Woods.
- Is it hard to cook Chicken of the Woods? No! In fact, all wild mushrooms can be cooked in the simplest ways to enjoy the full flavor and texture of the mushrooms. That means you can throw the mushroom in a sauté pan with oil or butter and salt and pepper. Done! From there you can grow into using spice blends to take the mushrooms to another level, or experiment with different types of cooking methods like baking, grilling, frying or air frying. Stay tuned for more recipe ideas on this website.
- Should I pick wild Chicken of the Woods myself if I see it? As always, if you are not absolutely 100% sure you have properly identified the mushroom, do not risk it. There are highly poisonous mushrooms that can be confused with Chicken of the Woods. While this particular mushroom has fewer look-alikes than some others, novices can miss telltale signs and get it wrong. Mushroom Mavens have been foraging for over 30 years, and both Mushroom Mavens are licensed by the PA Department of Agriculture to forage and sell wild mushrooms.
- What are the health benefits of Chicken of the Woods? This mushroom is about 10% protein and is also low-calorie and low-fat. It also contains at least two types of antioxidants (phenols and flavonoids). There have been many studies completed regarding the health benefits of various mushrooms, and medical studies are continuing on a regular basis. Based on reading from multiple medical sources, Chicken of the Woods is a good source for potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A. Research scientists believe that this mushroom may help fight tumors by encouraging the immune system to act against them and reduce inflammation.
Beautiful Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are currently available from Mushroom Mavens. We are always happy to answer any questions. Stay tuned for more updates on what’s available and how to incorporate wild foods into your healthy and delicious homecooked meals…
