Two weeks ago, I posted a short video online of some chicken of the woods and the viewership went through the roof. Well, I heard you loud and clear so that is today’s topic. Here’s everything you may or might not know about chicken of the woods.

First, I want you to know that I wasn’t in the woods looking for mushrooms. I was actually changing the batteries in a trail camera when I saw the bright orange blob hanging on the side of a tree. Instantly I knew exactly what it was and I walked over for a closer look. More often than not I have a plastic bag in my pack for just such unexpected surprises. 

Where can you find chicken of the woods?  

Unlike its more popular morel mushroom cousin, chicken of the woods does not grow in soil. Instead, it seeks out host trees, stumps and logs. Most often it’s found on oak trees. It’s also a mushroom that seems to like quiet, undisturbed areas. I can think of two places where I have found them that are both out of the way, closed-in spaces.

Chicken of the woods can be found growing in all 50 states but are much more common east of the Rocky Mountains. The Midwest and Northeast are the prime areas to find these mushrooms.

Another place to find them, although pretty rare, would be at a farmers’ market. If you’re fortunate to find them at such a place, you can expect to pay between $15-$30 per pound or more depending how far into the season we are.

When can you harvest chicken of the woods?

July, August, September and occasionally October are the months to find and pick chicken of the woods. When the mushrooms are bright orange and almost rubber like in texture, they are at their peak. As they age, the vibrant colors change to a more off white which signals the beginning of the end for them.  

How do you cook chicken of the woods?

There are endless ways to prepare these mushrooms with the most popular being familiar methods: battered or sauteed. In other words, a good place to start would be the same way that you prepare morels mushrooms. Like most cooked mushrooms, the taste is driven by the most powerful seasoning you use. 

Fun facts about chicken of the woods.

It allegedly got its name because of the consistency it takes on after being cooked. It literally feels like you’re taking a bite of chicken. Some also say it even tastes a little like chicken.

Natural bug repellent: Dried versions contain insecticidal properties and can be burned to help repel mosquitoes or flies.

Lastly, one giant specimen found in England weighed up to 300 kg (660 lbs.) and measured 16 feet around.

So there you go, everything you never knew about chicken of the woods. Oh, and lastly, it’s the coolest looking mushroom of them all.

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