Sauteed Chicken of the Woods (2024)

Published: Jul 1, 2023 Modified: Jan 30, 2024 Author: Alan Bergo

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If you're new to everyone's favorite mushroom that tastes like chicken, or a veteran, everyone should know a simple recipe for sauteed chicken of the woods. It isn't quite as simple as just tossing mushrooms in a pan. In this post I'll explain all the details you need to know to have a good meal whether you're over a campfire, or at home in the kitchen.

How long to cook chicken of the woods

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that sulphur shelf mushrooms must be thoroughly cooked to avoid reactions from individual mushroom allergies and undercooking. No matter how you prepare chicken of the woods, I like to cook them for at least ten minutes to be safe.

Common symptoms range from mild to intense. Tingling or numbness in the lips is the most mild symptom, but nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are common if the person has an allergy to the mushroom.

Another very important thing to keep in mind is the tree the mushroom is growing on. You need to be particularly careful harvesting chickens from conifer trees, but allergic reactions are common regardless of what tree they were growing on.

See more in my guide to chicken of the woods.

Chef's Tips

Chicken mushrooms are always wild and can't be cultivated, and that introduces a number of variables that affect how they can be cooked.

If it's rained recently or the mushrooms are very fresh, they can be filled with water. If that's the case, the mushrooms can be cooked in the dry saute I mention below.

Below: older chicken of the woods (left) very young chicken of the woods (right).

If it's been dry or your chickens are older they won't contain much water and would burn if cooked in a pan. For the best result, they'll need to be simmered in liquid until it evaporates before fat is added, which is called the wet saute.

How to saute chicken of the woods

First the mushrooms are trimmed and cleaned. Any tough portions are cut off from the bottom. If the mushrooms look dirty, they should be rinsed or dipped in water and dried on towels. Next the mushrooms are cut into thick pieces about ½ inch.

Chicken Mushroom Fajitas

One of my favorite things to do is to add sliced bell pepper and onions, and cooking the mixture down to serve like fajitas. Add a splash of tomato sauce, fresh ground cumin, and hot chili pepper to taste. Serve with warm corn tortillas and your favorite condiments.

Dry sauteed chicken of the woods

If your chicken mushrooms are very fresh, harvested after a rain, or give off yellow juice when cut it can mean they contain a lot of natural water. These are often the finest mushrooms to eat, and are extra soft and tender.

To dry saute them, cut the mushrooms into pieces and heat them in a non-stick pan until the water releases. After the water has evaporated, you season the mushrooms with salt and add your fat to the pan. This method is great for making sure the mushrooms don't turn out oily since they won't absorb as much fat cooked this way. That said, cooking chicken of the woods in butter is never a bad idea.

Chicken Fried Chicken of the Woods
Chicken Mushroom Curry
Pickled Chicken of the Woods

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5 from 4 votes

Sauteed Chicken of the Woods

Simple sauteed chicken of the woods mushrooms with garlic and shallot, a simple, delicious recipe for a wild mushroom that tastes like chicken. Serves 2 as a side dish

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken of the woods recipe

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 86kcal

Author: Alan Bergo

Cost: 5

Equipment

1 10 inch saute pan

Ingredients

5 oz chicken of the woods mushrooms
2 oz 1 small shallot
1 large clove garlic
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon cooking oil
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
½ teaspoon Fresh chopped thyme or a small handful of thyme sprigs

Instructions

Cut the chicken mushrooms into ½ inch thick pieces. Bring the mushrooms and water to a simmer in a 10 inch saute pan on medium-high heat. Allow the liquid to reduce.
You need to saute chicken of the woods for at least 10 minutes if you or people your serving them to haven't eaten them before. Set a timer if you need.
When the pan is nearly dry, push the mushrooms to one side of the pan. Add the oil and garlic and allow to cook until the garlic is golden and aromatic.
Season the mushrooms with a pinch of salt. Add the shallot, and thyme, still keep the mixture on one side of the pan. After 1-2 minutes, toss the mushrooms with the shallot and continue cooking.
Double check the seasoning for salt and pepper and adjust until it tastes good to you. Serve the mushrooms as part of a larger dish like chicken of the woods with mushrooms and peppers (refer to the video), or as a simple mushroom side dish.

Video

Notes

Sauteed chicken of the woods with onions and peppers

A simple variation on the basic recipe. I like to serve this as I would fajitas.

Follow the recipe as above, adding 1 thinly sliced and seeded bell pepper along with the shallot. You can also add a small yellow onion instead of the shallot. Cook the mixture on medium heat until the peppers are just tender.

I like to add a splash of tomato puree or sauce to help keep it juicy, along with fresh ground cumin, crushed red pepper, and chopped cilantro to taste.

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