Fire up the grill for this bold, flavor-packed “Polo Asado” made with Chicken of the Woods mushrooms — a juicy, plant-based twist so satisfying even meat lovers will be impressed.
15 Meaty and Flavorful Vegan Chicken of the Woods Recipes
Would you believe that deep on the woods there’s a mushroom growing that tastes like chicken? The creativity of nature knows no bounds! If you too have stumbled upon this wonder of the woods and are wondering what’s next, you’re in the right place. We’ve assembled everything you need to know about chicken of the woods mushrooms, as well as sourced 15 vegan chicken of the woods recipes to help these meaty mushrooms shine.
Disclaimer: When foraging wild mushrooms, you are responsible to verify beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have positively identified that mushroom. While I take responsibility for the accuracy of the information on this site, I cannot take responsibility for the identification of the mushrooms you’ve foraged. Please consult multiple resources (books, websites, and human experts) to verify the identification of your mushroom.
What is Chicken of the Woods?
Nature makes some strange and surprising things- from carnivorous plants, to flowers that smell like a rotting corpse, giant waterlilies big enough to support a human, to mushrooms that flash blue, mushrooms that glow in the dark, and more. Considering all that, I guess it’s not really too surprising that we also have a mushroom with decidedly chicken-like flavors and texture. And chicken of the woods do genuinely taste like chicken, although with some decidedly mushroom-like flavors as well. Chicken of the woods mushrooms are not cultivated, so have to be foraged. You can find them yourself in many places around the globe, and you may also be able to buy them at farmers markets or from specialty mushroom sellers. Young chicken of woods are soft and spongy, while as older specimens are drier and more brittle. They have the same stringy nature as chicken does.
How to Identify Chicken of the Woods
Chicken of the woods mushroom are actually several species of polypore mushroom, all found within the genus Laetiporus, which means something along the lines of “lucky pores” in Latin. Chicken of the woods mushrooms can be found widely across North America, with some species also found in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are seven species of chicken of the woods mushrooms found across North America. They tend to be traffic cone orange in color, but depending on the species, season, rain, and more they can look closer to red, pink, orange, peach, or white. They grow on hardwoods and conifers, although some report gastric distress when eating Laeptiporus found on conifers. Some speicies grow clustered at the base of trees in rosettes, while others grow like shelfs up the trunks of trees. Chicken of the woods are parasitic and saprotrophic, meaning that they feed on live trees and decompose dead wood.
The good news is there are not many mushrooms that look like chicken of the woods, but here are a couple to look out for. The most dangerous look-alike is the jack o’ lantern mushroom, Omphalotus olearius. Like chicken of the woods, jack o’ lanterns are large and orange, but that’s where the similarities stop. Chicken of the woods are shelf-like polypores, whereas jacks are stalked, gilled mushrooms, often growing. Jack o’lanterns can cause extreme gastrointestinal discomfort, and should be avoided.
Hen of the woods are another look-alike- well, not really. Hen of the woods are more of a sound-alike, as the name is very similar but the mushrooms are very different. Hen of the woods, also called maitake, are grey to brown mushrooms that can be found clustered at the base of oak trees in fall. They are another prime edible mushroom. Hen of the woods mushrooms are called that because they are said to resemble hens roosting at the base of large oaks, where are chicken of the woods mushrooms are named for the similarities in their taste and texture to chicken.
Foraging Safety
Foraging can be a rewarding way to connect with nature, but safety should always come first. Before collecting any wild food, make sure you can positively identify the plant, mushroom, or berry—never rely on one feature alone, and always use multiple trusted sources or guides. Avoid harvesting near roadsides, polluted water, or areas treated with pesticides. When foraging, carry a field guide, take clear photos for later verification, both of the mushroom from multiple angles, and of the surrounding environment and if you’re unsure, remember the golden rule: “when in doubt, go without.”
Is Chicken of the Woods Safe to Eat?
Yes, chicken of the woods mushroom is considered a prime edible mushroom, but with some caveats. Chicken of the woods found growing on conifers, eucalyptus, or locust trees should be avoided, as they have been reported to cause stomach issues. It’s also important to identify dead trees mushrooms are found on, although it can be tricky without leaves. Some people have trouble digesting chicken of the woods mushrooms, and may suffer from gastrointestinal distress. I have seen numbers as high as 10% of the population having trouble with chicken of the woods. Because of this, always eat a small of a new food and see how it feels before eating a larger amount. Don’t pick mushrooms in areas that have been sprayed with pesticides, and only eat fresh specimens. Make sure to clean them well, and always, always cook wild mushrooms. Boiling your chicken of the woods for 10 minutes and draining before continued cooking can be a good idea to help digestibility.
Storing and Preparing Chicken of the Woods Mushroom
Chicken of the Woods should always be cooked before eating. For optimal storage, keep the mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator, and avoid washing them until just before cooking. When ready to prepare, clean the mushrooms thoroughly under running water, removing any dirt, leaves, or twigs, and check for small insects or larvae. Chicken of the woods mushrooms that can be taken over by small white squirmy guys, so check closely as you’re cleaning and cutting. Trim away any tough, woody, or overly thick portions—some prefer to remove the outer edge as well for a more tender texture. To enhance digestibility, parboil the mushrooms for about 10 minutes before incorporating them into your dish. Chicken of the Woods can then be sautéed, fried, steamed, or used in a variety of recipes- scroll down for those!
15 Vegan Chicken of the Woods Recipes
From pie to picatta, tacos to curry, we’ve pulled together a collection of 15 delicious and nutritious vegan chicken of the woods recipes. Now that you’re prepared with all the information for identifying, cooking, storing, and staying safe while preparing this fascinating wild mushroom, let’s get to cooking!
1. Chicken of the Woods Picatta
This simple, crispy chicken of the woods is pan-fried and served in a white wine and caper sauce- perfect over pasta. Serve with lemon wedges and fresh parsley for a luscious, foraged, vegan meal.
Find that recipe here: Chicken of the Woods Mushroom Picatta
2. Vegan Chicken of the Woods Salad
Foraged mushrooms are right at home in this classic American dish- chicken (of the woods) salad! Studded with cranberries, walnuts, and celery, and flavored with purple onions and tarragon, all enveloped with a creamy vegan dressing. Perfect on it’s on, or in sandwiches and wraps.
Recipe here: Chicken of the Woods Salad with Cranberries – Very Vegan Val
3. Tom Kha Soup with Chicken of the Woods
This creamy, Thai soup is one of my favorite- made with a coconut and lime broth, it’s elevated by using chicken of the woods mushrooms where chicken or tofu might normally be. Thanks to Jess Starwood for this mouthwatering creation.
Recipe Here: Tom Kha soup with Chicken of the Woods Mushroom – Jess Starwood
4. Vegan Chicken of the Woods Recipe Butter Chicken
If rich and silky, creamy butter chicken sounds like the perfect comfort meal to you, this version by Very Vegan Val shows you how you can make it vegan! Serve with vegan naan or rice, it’s the perfect way to warm up after a chilly Autumn day foraging.
Recipe here: Butter Chicken of the Woods (Vegan Butter Chicken) – Very Vegan Val
5. Chicken of the Woods Burger
Meaty chicken of the woods mushrooms are the seasonal ingredient making this vegan burger shine! Paired with chickpeas, and topped with a spicy vegan slaw, this take on a burger is not only vegan, it’s gluten-free!
Make it here: Chicken of the Woods Burger – Jackfruitful Kitchen
6. Vegan Mushroom Crab Cakes
One of the features of chicken of the woods mushrooms are their shredding texture- which makes them a great option for a vegan crab cake alternative! Add some seasonings, a little vegan mayo, and you’re ready to get snacking. If you want to try a different mushroom crab cakes recipe, I’ve made these ones with lion’s mane mushroom!
Recipe here: Vegan mushroom “crab” cakes – by Anjali Sundaram
7. Vegan Chicken of the Woods Curry
Thai red curry paste, creamy coconut milk, fresh ginger, and meaty chicken of the woods? What’s not to love! Finding Silver Pennies serves their curry with riced cauliflower, but you could pair it with regular rice, serve over noodles, or even enjoy with a crispy flatbread!
Get cooking: Chicken of the Woods Curry with Riced Cauliflower – Finding Silver Pennies
8. Chicken of the Woods Noodle Soup
If comfort foods are what you’re after, look no further. It’s chicken noodle soup for the vegan soul- foraging style! Using either storebought or handmade noodles, this soup is the warm and nourishing hug in a bowl you’ve been craving.
Chicken of the Woods Noodle Soup – Wild Vegan Flower 
9. Chicken Nuggets (Vegan Chicken of the Woods Recipes)
Baked (not fried), mushrooms (not poultry) for these vegetarian chicken nuggets. But despite that, they have all the dippable, soft and crispy texture, and chicken flavor of your classic nugget!
Recipe Here: Vegetarian Chicken Nuggets (Chicken of the Woods Recipe) – Very Vegan Val
10. Foraged Curried Chicken Pot Pie
Want to make something look fancy while just doing a little bit more work? Stick it in a pie crust. We’ve got butternut squash, cauliflower, and of course some chicken of the woods mushrooms. Rich, creamy, spiced, sweet and savory, it is curried chicken pot pie, but foraged.
Bake away! Foraged Curried Chicken Pot Pie (Meat-Free)- Very Vegan Val
11. Chicken of the Woods Schitzel
Schnitzel is a thin cut of meat, breaded and fried, and chicken of the woods are perfect for this application. Panko breadcrumbs make them extra crispy, perfect to pair with your favorite sauces.
Chicken Of The Woods Schnitzel – Gaz Oakley
12. Chicken of the Woods Tacos
Hilda’s Kitchen Blog is here with the Vegan Taco Tuesday we all needed- Chicken of the woods tacos! Marinaded in a carne asada style dressing and then grilled, these mushrooms are full of flavor.
Recipe Aqui: Chicken of the Woods Tacos | Hilda’s Kitchen Blog
12. Chicken of the Woods Pad Kee Mao
Pad kee mao, or drunken noodles, is my personal favorite Thai noodle dish. Made with wide rice noodles, this dish is salty, savory, fresh, meaty notes of the original, but totally vegan and with a foraged twist!
Recipe please! Chicken of the Woods Vegan Pad Kee Mao – Very Vegan Val
13. Cream of Chicken Mushroom Soup
If your mushroom is a little dry, here’s a great option. The creamy, brothy base means that nothing will taste dry, so let the cooking commence. Think of this like if cream of chicken soup had a soupy baby with cream of mushroom soup- creamy, chickeny, and an over-all fun guy.
Recipe here: Cream of Chicken of the Woods Mushroom Soup – Very Vegan Val
14. Grilled Polo Asado
Recipe: Grilled ‘Polo Asado’ Irresistible Chicken of the Woods Recipe – Cowboy Cooking Vegan
15. Drying Chicken of the Woods
While less of a recipe, I thought this none the less helpful to share. So often when we find chicken of the woods it’s in large amounts that are simply uneatable in a reasonable time- so drying them is a good answer!
Let’s Learn How: Drying Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms | Brod & Taylor
