Chicken of the Woods: Harvesting, Preserving and Preparing

Our “spirit tree” at Spirit Tree Farms, a pre-Civil War oak that we fondly refer to as “The Old Woman of the Woods,” has produced chicken of the woods mushroom at the end of July 2022 and 2023. This year’s harvest was especially prolific.

We harvested the pieces with a knife and then brought it inside, dusted it off, and then vacuum-sealed it in half-pound to one-pound quantities for easy use in soups, stir-fries, and other meals as a chicken substitute. It’s amazing how much the texture and color of chicken of the woods mushrooms looks like chicken.

Here’s my Terriyaki Chicken of the Woods Recipe. I also love it in Tom Kha Gai Soup as a substitute for both the mushrooms and the chicken.

We don’t wash the chicken of the woods prior to vacuum sealing so it comes apart more easily when we need to use it. We thaw and wash it before use and then stir fry, sauté or cook it for at least 15 minutes. It’s important to cook it for at least 15 minutes prior to eating so you don’t get a stomachache.

How to Harvest and Preserve Chicken of the Woods Mushrooms

In the following video I show how chicken of the woods mushroom grows and how we process it. There are some chicken of the woods lookalikes that grow on conifers (evergreens) or eucalyptus trees that can cause vomiting or mild hallucinations. Chicken of the woods mainly grows on oak trees. But, be sure to research and make sure you know how to identify it properly. And make certain you heat it / sauté it / cook it long enough.

Medicinal Benefits of Chicken of the Woods

According to WebMD, chicken of the woods is low-fat, low-calorie, high protein. It may help fight tumors and may help reduce inflammation. It is an antioxidant.

Where Can I Buy Chicken of the Woods?

If you’re interested in purchasing some frozen, vacuum sealed chicken of the woods mushrooms and you’re in the North Georgia / Chattanooga area, you may contact us at spirittreefarms@gmail.com .