Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe
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Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

If you’re a fan of unique and tasty dishes, you’ll love this breaded Chicken of the Woods recipe. This mushroom-based dish brings the familiar taste of fried chicken with an earthy twist. Chicken of the Woods mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and rich flavour, making them a great vegetarian substitute for chicken. This recipe highlights these mushrooms, turning them into a crispy, savoury treat that’s perfect for appetizers, main courses, or even a hearty snack.

Why I Love This Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

What’s not to love about this recipe? It combines the satisfying crunch of a breaded coating with the distinctive, savoury flavour of Chicken of the Woods mushrooms. I love how versatile it is—whether you’re serving it as a starter at a dinner party or enjoying it as a simple snack, it always impresses. The breading adds a delightful crispiness while the mushroom’s flavour shines through. Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t require any special ingredients, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion.

Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe
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Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

Course: AmericanCuisine: Appetizer, Main Course, SnackDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Calories

Approximately 250 per serving

kcal

This Breaded Chicken of the Woods recipe offers a delicious vegetarian alternative to fried chicken, using Chicken of the Woods mushrooms for a unique, earthy twist. The mushrooms are coated in a crispy breading and fried to golden perfection, making them perfect for appetizers, main dishes, or snacks. With easy-to-follow steps and common ingredients, this recipe brings a satisfying crunch and rich flavor to your table.

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces of young Chicken of the Woods mushrooms (about the size of a small fist)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (for breading)

  • Salt and black

  • 1 generous pinch of sweet paprika

  • 1 tiny pinch of cayenne pepper

  • 3 large eggs (for breading)

  • 6 tablespoons clarified butter or ghee (for cooking) or a mix of cooking oil and unsalted butter

  • Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

  • 1 small clove of garlic, lightly crushed with the back of a knife (optional)

  • Lemon wedges (for serving)

Directions

  •  Prepare the Mushrooms: Trim off any tough parts of the Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, especially where the stem attaches to the tree. Wash them thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to help the seasonings stick well.

  • Season the Flour: In a shallow dish, season the all-purpose flour with kosher salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix well.

  •  Bread the Mushrooms: Coat each mushroom piece in the seasoned flour, then dip it in beaten eggs and coat it with flour again. This double coating helps create a crispy, golden crust.

  •  Cook the Mushrooms: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup of cooking oil and two tablespoons of unsalted butter (or use clarified butter or ghee). Once hot, add the breaded mushroom pieces. If using, add the crushed garlic and thyme sprigs to the pan.

  • Fry Until Crispy: Cook the mushrooms for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy. If the pan starts to lose moisture, drizzle in more oil. Once cooking is complete, transfer the mushrooms to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.

  • Serve: Sprinkle the mushrooms with a little extra salt if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

  • Mushroom Size: Try to use young, tender Chicken of the Woods mushrooms for the best texture. Older mushrooms can be tougher and less pleasant to eat.
  • Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning to suit your preference. To enhance the heat, add more cayenne pepper.

Ingredients Needed For Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

  • 4 pieces of young Chicken of the Woods mushrooms (about the size of a small fist)Chicken of the Woods mushrooms
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (for breading)flour
  • Salt and blacksalt
  • 1 generous pinch of sweet paprikasweet paprika
  • 1 tiny pinch of cayenne pepperblack pepper
  • 3 large eggs (for breading)egg
  • 6 tablespoons clarified butter or ghee (for cooking) or a mix of cooking oil and unsalted butterbutter
  • Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)sprigs
  • 1 small clove of garlic, lightly crushed with the back of a knife (optional)garlic
  • Lemon wedges (for serving)lemon wedges

How to Make Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

1. Prepare the Mushrooms: Trim off any tough parts of the Chicken of the Woods mushrooms, especially where the stem attaches to the tree. Wash them thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels to help the seasonings stick well.

2. Season the Flour: In a shallow dish, season the all-purpose flour with kosher salt, black pepper, sweet paprika, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. Mix well.

3. Bread the Mushrooms: Coat each mushroom piece in the seasoned flour, then dip it in beaten eggs and coat it with flour again. This double coating helps create a crispy, golden crust.

4. Cook the Mushrooms: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add ¼ cup of cooking oil and two tablespoons of unsalted butter (or use clarified butter or ghee). Once hot, add the breaded mushroom pieces. If using, add the crushed garlic and thyme sprigs to the pan.

5. Fry Until Crispy: Cook the mushrooms for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy. If the pan starts to lose moisture, drizzle in more oil. Once cooking is complete, transfer the mushrooms to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess oil.

6. Serve: Sprinkle the mushrooms with a little extra salt if desired and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Cooking Tips For Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

  • Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot before adding the mushrooms. If it’s too cool, the breading will absorb excess oil and become greasy.
  • Pan Space: Avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook the mushrooms in batches if needed to make sure they cook evenly and stay crispy.

Storage Tips For Breaded Chicken of the Woods Recipe

  • Refrigeration: Store any leftover breaded Chicken of the Woods mushrooms in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: For best results, reheat the mushrooms in a skillet

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