Chicken of the woods: The meaty edible fungi growing on Ohio trees

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – In honor of National Mushroom Month, a state agency is highlighting an edible fungi that grows on Ohio trees and is known for its chicken-like taste when cooked. 

The mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus, dubbed “chicken of the woods,” grows across Ohio, most commonly on the base of oak, beech and cherry trees, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The fungi is characterized by its bright yellow or orange color and overlapping layers. 

“It grows on trees, usually in a wooded area,” said Jenny Richards, a naturalist with the ODNR. “They can grow out in a meadow too, as long as there's a tree. ... It grows usually around the base of a tree on a stump, and it can grow on a living tree as well.”

The fungi, which has a similar texture and taste to chicken, can be pulled or cut off trees at their base, cooked and eaten, according to the department.  The agency recommends harvesting young, small and pliable mushrooms for the most tender texture. If the mushroom feels tough, it is likely too old to eat. 

“That's really important to know before you just grab one and cook it, it has to be fresh, and if it starts to turn brown, it isn't good to eat,” Richards said. “Just like any mushroom, even if you would buy one at the store and you left them in your fridge too long, you wouldn't want to eat them after they start to get soft and mushy. These actually will start to get real woody and corky (when old).”

There are endless possibilities on how to serve the fungi. Marinating the mushroom in teriyaki sauce or fresh herbs and olive oil then sautéing it are a couple ways to prepare it. Some also coat it in breadcrumbs, pan fry it and serve it with sauce, making lasagna or a dish similar to eggplant parmesan, Richards said. When preparing the fungi, blemished spots should be removed, in addition to the mushrooms being washed and cooked thoroughly. 

“I have eaten them before, and I really like them,” Richards said. “If it's really, really young, it tastes like chicken, but you would marinate it first with whatever marinade you like.”

Chicken of the woods is not the only edible fungi growing in Ohio – morel, chanterelle and oyster mushrooms are a few other examples. However, it is important to confirm the mushroom is edible and not a similar-looking fungi before eating it. Richards said she uses the book “Peterson Field Guide to Mushrooms of North America” to identify mushrooms.

“There's also a lot of other mushroom books that you should look at to make sure that you read up on all the poisonous lookalikes and really make a 100% positive identification before you eat,” Richards said. 

A poisonous fungi called the jack-o-lantern mushroom can be found in Ohio and may have a similar bright-orange color, but are often funnel shaped and have gills, while chicken of the woods does not.

Eating edible wild mushrooms is good for humans’ health, as they often contain antioxidants, anticarcinogens, vitamin C, potassium and protein, Richards said. However, she warned that some people are allergic to certain mushrooms, and recommended trying a small amount when trying one for first time to ensure an allergic reaction does not occur.