Chicken of the Woods: This mushroom tastes just like chicken

[alecst]

I'm an amateur mushroom hunter. I've eaten a lot of chicken of the woods on both coasts of the US.

The mushroom peels easily apart just like a chicken breast does. (Younger mushroom fruits are the juiciest and most tender, and older ones are too tough to eat.)

In contrast to what the article says, I've never had a COTW that tasted like chicken. But you can remedy that by cooking it in chicken broth, or seasoning it like you would season a chicken, with something like lemon and pepper. In that sense the article title is misleading.

There are, however, mushrooms which taste to me just like roast beef (parasol) or steak (chanterelle.) They are truly delightful mushrooms.

I've never had an upset stomach from eating any COTW, even ones that grew on eucalyptus. YMMV.

[ggm]

A mushroom which tastes like chicken and causes random gastrointestinal problems. What could possibly go wrong?

[patrickmn]

The article is about Laetiporus sulphureus. The article clearly states that amateur foragers mistakenly eat Laetiporus gilbertsonii and Laetiporus conifericola and experience gastrointestinal problems.

[taneq]

Sounds like it'll be a massive hit with late night kebab shops!

[frankzander]

If it goes wrong you eat in the opposite direction ... nothing special. It's known from alcohol.

[Accacin]

There was a nice video from a British Youtuber who often forages for mushrooms when he found some: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYBruVj9jt8

[IndrekR]

In my experience it does not taste like chicken at all. But it nevertheless is quite good. Maybe has a chicken-breadt like structure. Make sure to pick the young ones, as older ones are too tough to eat -- closer to wood, rather than meat.

[jinushaun]

It does not taste like chicken, but does resemble and have a texture similar to boneless skinless chicken breast.

[frankzander]

If it tastes too good and you eat too much you vomit the whole meal. Don't become greedy ;)