Chicken of the Woods Tacos Recipe

Taco Tuesdays just got a little wilder (and no, we’re not talking about margaritas). “Chicken of the Woods” mushrooms are wild mushrooms that have a distinctly meaty texture, making them an effortless swap into common poultry recipes, like these Chicken of the Woods tacos.
category
Recipe
Author
Foraged
date
07.27.23
read time
1 minutes

Overview:

Prep Time
20 minutes
Active Time
30 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
Cost
18
Keyword
Chicken of the woods tacos, chicken of the woods recipes
Cuisine
Mexican
Yields
4

INGREDIENTS:

Chicken of the Woods Tacos Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken of the woods mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- 8 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco
- Fresh cilantro, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving

Preparation:

Step 1 - Cook the mushrooms

Heat a large pan over medium-high heat, and add the chicken of the woods mushrooms. Cook undisturbed for 6-8 minutes, or until they have released some moisture and the undersides begin to brown. Flip the mushrooms and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes, until they're slightly brown all over but not dried out.

Step 2 - Cook the onions - add the remaining ingredients

Reduce the heat to medium, and add the olive oil to the pan. Toss in the sliced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent.Add the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, stirring until the spices are fragrant and well distributed, about 1 minute.

Step 3 - Combine all ingredients together

Add the browned chicken of the woods mushrooms back into the pan, stirring to mix well with the onions and spices. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Season with salt to taste.

Step 4 - Prepare the tacos

Warm the corn tortillas in a dry pan over medium heat, or directly over the flame if you have a gas stove, until they are soft and pliable. Place a spoonful of the mushroom mixture on each tortilla, then top with shredded lettuce, slices of avocado, and a sprinkle of queso fresco. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

What are Chicken of the Woods?

Chicken of the Woods, scientifically known as Laetiporus sulphureus, is a type of wild fungus renowned for its unique, chicken-like taste and texture. They're easily identifiable due to their large, bright yellow-orange shelf-like formations on tree trunks and dead logs. Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are popular in various culinary dishes due to their meaty texture and flavor, and can be used as a vegetarian substitute for chicken in many recipes. However, as with all wild mushrooms, they should be consumed with caution as some individuals may have allergic reactions to them.

What do Chicken of the Woods taste like?

Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are known for their unique taste and texture that many describe as similar to chicken, hence the name. The flavor is often said to be earthy, yet mild, with a hint of lemon. They have a texture that is firm and meaty, much like chicken breast. When cooked, they can take on a slightly crispy exterior while remaining tender on the inside, again adding to the chicken-like comparison. It's this combination of taste and texture that makes Chicken of the Woods a popular substitute for meat in a variety of dishes.

Where can I buy Chicken of the Woods?

Great question – check out our marketplace where you can buy Chicken of the Woods directly from foragers and cultivators!

Read more here about Chicken of the Woods.

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