Chicken is one of the most popular meats in the world. With its mild, savory flavor and tender texture, it’s no wonder chicken is a staple ingredient in cuisines across the globe. But did you know there are certain types of mushrooms that impart a similar taste and texture to chicken when cooked? It’s true – some mushrooms contain umami flavors and have a meaty bite that closely mimics the experience of eating chicken. Keep reading to learn all about these chicken-flavored fungi.
Why Do Some Mushrooms Taste Like Chicken?
Mushrooms that taste like chicken share some key characteristics that give them their chicken-y qualities
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Umami flavor – Umami is considered the fifth basic taste, after sweet, salty, sour and bitter. It imparts a savory, meaty flavor and is abundant in chicken. Mushrooms like the king oyster mushroom contain high levels of umami, primarily from glutamic acid. This is the same naturally occurring amino acid that makes chicken so mouthwateringly savory.
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Dense, meaty texture – Chicken breast meat is known for its dense meaty bite. Mushrooms like king oyster hen of the woods and chicken of the woods all have a similar texture when cooked, thanks to their firm flesh and hearty caps and stems. This makes them more satisfying to bite into than other softer mushrooms.
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Neutral to mild taste – Chicken has a relatively neutral flavor on its own. The mushrooms that mimic chicken also let other ingredients shine rather than overpowering them with mushrooms’ sometimes earthy flavor. Their mild taste allows them to absorb surrounding flavors easily.
The Best Mushrooms That Taste Like Chicken
Several types of mushrooms have earned a reputation for their chicken-like qualities once cooked Here are three of the best
King Oyster Mushrooms
The king oyster mushroom is one of the most popular chicken-flavored mushrooms. When cooked, the thick white stems become extremely meaty, juicy and succulent with an umami flavor similar to chicken breast meat. They can be sliced and sauteed, grilled or breaded and fried for homemade vegan chicken recipes. King oyster mushrooms contain more umami-boosting glutamates than almost any other mushroom.
Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
Also known as maitake mushrooms, hen of the woods have a unique ruffled, rounded shape and cluster together at the base of trees. When cooked, these mushrooms develop a stringy, fibrous texture much like pulled chicken or pork. Their neutral flavor absorbs surrounding flavors easily. Try hen of the woods mushrooms shredded in place of chicken in stir fries, tacos, pastas and more.
Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms
From its name alone, you know this mushroom is destined to taste like chicken! Chicken of the woods is a bright orange or yellow shelf mushroom found growing on tree trunks. When cooked, it has a meaty yet tender texture and absorbs savory flavors well. Its mild taste works great in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken pieces. Try battering and frying chicken of the woods for vegan chicken nuggets.
How to Cook Mushrooms That Taste Like Chicken
The key to bringing out the chicken-like essence of these mushrooms is proper cooking methods. Here are some tips:
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Slice mushrooms thick – Cut mushrooms into 1⁄2 to 1-inch slices or chunks to retain their hearty meatiness. Thinner slices can become rubbery.
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Sauté, grill or pan fry – Exposing the mushrooms to high heat helps develop flavor and texture. Fry or grill them with a touch of oil to get crispy edges.
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Bread and deep fry – For super crispy, juicy “chicken”, dip sliced mushrooms in eggs then breadcrumbs before frying in 375°F oil until golden brown.
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Season generously – Don’t be shy with savory spices and sauces. Salt, pepper, garlic, onion and paprika all complement and enhance the mushrooms’ umami flavors.
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Cook thoroughly – Mushrooms need ample time to soften and release moisture. Undercooking leaves them dense and rubbery.
Simple Recipe Ideas
Here are a few easy ways to cook up mushrooms that taste like chicken:
- Breaded, baked “chicken” cutlets
- Fajita-spiced mushrooms for fajitas or tacos
- Chicken noodle soup with king oyster mushrooms
- Crispy fried “chicken” sandwiches with mushrooms instead of chicken breast
- Mushroom cacciatore or mushrooms in an Italian tomato sauce
- Mushroom pot pie with flaky pie crust
- Mushroom enchiladas with tomatillo sauce
Benefits of Choosing Mushrooms Over Chicken
Replacing chicken with mushrooms offers several health and environmental upsides:
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More nutrition – Mushrooms provide nutrients like antioxidants, fiber, B vitamins and potassium that chicken lacks.
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Less saturated fat – Chicken contains high levels of artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol while mushrooms have none.
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Lower carbon footprint – Pound for pound, mushrooms generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than chicken production.
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Earth-friendly growing – Mushrooms thrive on agricultural byproducts like sawdust and don’t require cleared land or irrigation.
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Water conservation – Mushrooms need a fraction of the water needed to raise chickens.
So next time a recipe calls for chicken, consider substituting one of these satisfying mushrooms instead. Your taste buds and the planet will thank you! With their impressively chicken-y flavors and textures, mushrooms that taste like chicken offer the best of both worlds.
Ingredients to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms
- Oyster mushrooms are the star of the show! They’re so pretty and a delicate mushroom with a subtle taste, which allows them to be seasoned and absorb any flavor you add
- Flour is used for the batter. I’ve used plain all purpose flour to make both the dry and wet batter. Whole-wheat flour can also work. I havent personally tried gluten free flour for this recipe but I think they should be fine too!
- Spices are used to enhance flavour and colour into the beautiful oyster mushrooms. I’ve used a mix of paprika, tumeric, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne pepper
- Oil for frying – make sure to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point when frying food. I’ve used canola oil but some other options are avocado oil, sunflower oil, grape seed oil and even vegetable oil Sauces to dip into:
- Creamy BBQ, mix equal parts of mayonnaise with bbq sauce and a dash of apple cider vinegar
- Sriracha aioli
- Ketchup
- Honey mustard
How to make Fried Oyster Mushrooms
Follow my simple steps to make these delicious fried oyster mushrooms. Here I breakdown how to prepare the batter, coating the mushrooms and frying.
- First, clean oyster mushrooms by wiping them with a damp paper towel to remove any dirt. For the spice mix, add flour and all the spices, salt and black pepper. Mix together until well combined
- In a second bowl, take ⅓ cup flour from the mixture and add with ¾ cups of water. Whisk together until to achieve a smooth batter consistency
- Dip each mushroom into the wet batter mixture then into the dry batter. Double coat each mushroom back into the wet batter and then back in the flour mixture, making sure the mushrooms are fully coated in flour
- Heat oil in a pot over high heat and carefully drop mushrooms into the oil one at a time in batches. Dont overcrowd the pot, you can fry a few at a time depending on how large your pot is. Let them fry for a few minutes until nice and golden brown Remove and place on paper towels to remove excess oil, then place on a cooling rack to keep crispy until the rest is done. Enjoy with your favourite dipping sauce!
NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, THIS TASTE LIKE FRIED CHICKEN | ALL CAPS | COME FIGHT ME
FAQ
What is the best mushroom that tastes like chicken?
Chicken of the Woods Without a doubt one of the most popular wild mushrooms of all time. The sulphur shelf fungus is a cousin of the Hen of the woods, and is the edible fungi many will know simply because its a mushroom that tastes like chicken.
What mushrooms are like chicken?
Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa): Also known as maitake, this mushroom typically grows at the base of oak trees and has a frilly, layered appearance resembling a hen’s feathers. It is known for its rich flavor and is often used in cooking.
What mushrooms can replace chicken?
Enoki mushrooms are an excellent chicken replacement with a really similar texture and super tasty to enjoy with homemade mayo or in the crunchiest plant …Mar 26, 2024
Do mushrooms taste like chicken?
There are a few wild and cultivated mushroom species that resemble the taste and texture of chicken, depending on the preparation and cooking methods. In this guide, we’ll delve into three species of mushrooms that taste like chicken.
What does a mushroom taste like?
The Chicken of the Woods mushroom tastes like chicken when cooked. Young specimens have a pleasant smell of fresh mushrooms, and their flavor is affected by the quantity of tannins absorbed from the host tree. When cooked, many compare the taste of this mushroom with that of chicken meat. Older specimens, however, have a pungent and bitter taste.
What does a shrimp mushroom taste like?
While another common name for this mushroom is shrimp of the woods, many folks also find that this mushroom resembles the taste and texture of chicken, when cooked properly. Make sure to cook this mushroom for at least 15 minutes and allow it to brown, which brings out a lovely meaty flavor.
What is a chicken mushroom called?
The mushroom is commonly referred to as ‘chicken of the woods’ or ‘chicken mushroom’. Its scientific name is Laetiporus sulphureus. Do not confuse it with the hen of the woods (Grifola frondosa), another polypore mushroom that grows at the base of trees.
What does chicken of the woods taste like?
Chicken of the woods mushrooms have a meaty texture when cooked, and offer a mild lemony note that’s reminiscent of chicken, lobster, or crab. The “chicken” flavor associated with these mushrooms lends itself to a reliable meat substitute for vegetarian or vegan meal options.
Do king oyster mushrooms taste like chicken?
Regardless, if you’ve held apprehensions about mushrooms, a cooked King Oyster may just be enough to begin your conversion. After all, they do taste like chicken. If you’ve only thought of mushrooms as a gross side vegetable you never eat, think again. A certain type of mushroom tastes exactly like chicken.