Chicken Of The Woods - Identification, Look-Alikes, Medicinal Benefits, & More with Adam Haritan

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Chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sp.) is a choice edible mushroom which usually grows on standing or fallen dead wood.
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[@jeff6899]

Love this guy...he is always well studied & knows the material. And his passion for this is not only extremely evident, but contagious.

[@lostbooks2918]

Yep he's #1

[@lisachilderspowell9894]

Awesome information!!

[@1959jimbob]

You are one amazing young teacher. I realize this particular vid is several years old now but I am thinking that you should do plant and mushroom identification walks. I as an old person of the woods have learned a lot from your teachings. Keep up the great works and things you are doing. Above all keep teaching...

[@nat0104]

Your public speaking on such complex subject is incredibly impressive! Big words and beautiful flow as you explain everything needed. Thank you for the info, wow.

[@doclalor]

Love this: "Chicken of the woods . . . has the ability and the power to brighten your day literally, metaphorically, and metaphysically speaking . . ."

[@yongkim69]

Great video. Your enthusiasm makes watching the video more enjoyable. Also, the recipes add a nice touch.

[@LearnYourLand]

+Yong Kim Thanks for the kind words!

[@Chartreuse_Moose]

Yes, your videos are great! More recipes wouldn't hurt either :D

[@dale60jd80]

Just got a batch, can't wait to try them! Great video!

[@BeamnMovie]

@@LearnYourLandare the chanterelles edible because you said a tasty mistake because I took that as it was a tasty edible look alike of chicken of the woods

[@zzzMan74]

Sir, you impressed me with your presentation. Well done. I just found about 25lbs of Chicken of the Woods on a recent hike in the woods. I wanted to confirm that I have the right mushroom before I eat it and it looks like I'm good to go!

[@LearnYourLand]

Awesome! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@EnglishLaw]

If it is growing on a Yew tree this is not edible.

[@locasaly563]

Was it okay to eat?

[@RogersPhotographyGuilford]

@@locasaly563 I think his lack of response gives you your answer ;)

[@virginiatozier9957]

For newbies, you are never good to go. If you can't positively identify it do not eat it. I can positively identify green backs and chicken of the woods. Even so I ate not more than a teaspoon the first day, easy enough with a green back,but so fusterating with the chickens. Three big skillets full and only one tiny bite before I froze them. Not everyone can eat wheat and not everyone can handle mushrooms that don't bother anyone else.

[@thodinh4429]

Adam, I really love your videos. It really inspires people to learn and enjoy nature, especially the fungi species. It was so interesting I just found "Chicken of the Woods" mushrooms in the front of my house in Front Royal, Virginia. It was under the Oak trees, and I saw a space between the tree to that mushrooms. After searching, and watching your videos, I think I got Laetiporus Cincinnatus. They have very bright orange color on the top, and the margins are very slight yellow, and the other side has whitish color, and no gills at all. So happy to find them, and I cooked awesome dinner with those "Chicken of the Woods". I really hope it will grow again soon. I really enjoyed to harvest them and even made my own video to talk a little bit about this mushroom after searching and watching many videos, and reading the books. Wow! I really love the bright color of this mushrooms. After harvesting this mushrooms, cooking and having awesome dinner, I am totally in love with wild mushrooms hunting now. Thanks so much for all your very informative videos:).

[@sonofabear]

Chicken of the woods are some of my favorite mushrooms to eat! Right now, I am really enjoying them with bbq sauce or as chicken parm.

[@edatao2]

You are such a good speaker. Keep up the good work!! Thank You

[@AmanitaVersicula555]

Found the other day~after torrential rains~wasn't there 2 days before & yet when i found them>>they were on their way out already..... Had seen so many pix was sure what it was-even though *brighter ORANGE - ALMOST RED*. Was SO excited, i cleaned really well-had to throw out much, though saved the "tougher part for the winter". ~BUT IT was so large, two actually. Maybe it was ITS *AGE* but it DID TASTE LIKE CHICKEN; although it tasted like *very DRY chicken breasts*. AS i waste nothing edible or medicinal-i cooked in homegrown tomatoes & ate some>the rest will go in the freezer for soups cooked on wood-stove, which is like a CROCK POT. *_THANKS as always Adam_* as i really was *unaware of MEDICINAL PROPERTIES* plus *you always TEACH me at least one thing i don't/didn't KNOW-usually more in I.D factors* *PeAcE & GRATITUDE as always --"another appreciative loyal follower"* regena

[@MT-ig7bs]

a anti-fungal mushroom... nature has done something insane.

[@LearnYourLand]

I know, right?

[@johokeen1]

Mother Nature is amazing! Won't be long before we'll be using these mushroom extract to fight infections...

[@ken48827]

penicillin comes from bread mold which is a fungus. Pretty cool how is was discovered, too.

[@c.crosby6769]

None competing species. They likely evolved together, to respect their distance and invade on each other

[@core2cascade]

Mason T literally the anti-mushroom

[@michaellerner7030]

SCORE! Found some. Thank you so much for helping me identify it. It's going into breakfast tomorrow.

[@trevorhardwick1614]

It's very impressive how much information you can draw from memory. Love your videos.

[@rustyshackleford3278]

Fascinating! I didnt know this species had a medicinal value, will definitely add this one to my Reishi and Chaga regimens. Thanks again Adam cant wait for your next post when the weather warms up again. Just subscribed, which i never do for any channels

[@jennafelton9391]

I love the amount of information this fella has. Brilliant.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

“Fella” you have to be from AU?

[@loriplate729]

I had this in my yard for the first time this year in Lower Michigan.

[@skyfairy1959]

remarkably well versed young man! excellent all en-compasing review. Just found 3-4lbs in the HH's off Nichols Cyn. thank you

[@sarahflanagan9345]

Adam, I found my first chicken of t he woods mushroom today, and you are so right: you can't miss it. It is like a neon sign in the woods. Ate a small amount with dinner and it was one of the most delicious mushrooms I've ever ate.

[@LearnYourLand]

Awesome, congrats!

[@mauricepaquette685]

awesome Adam love the work and knowledge you emit on your videos 👍👍👍

[@robertlook1]

Your videos are a awesome. I love the fact that you tie them back into recent scientific research.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Robert! Glad you enjoy them.

[@HunterOrock]

Great video. I am learning about mushrooms and have seen so many horrible vids on the subject...nice to hear someone who knows wtf they're talking about. Good on ya mate!

[@LearnYourLand]

+HunterOrock Thanks, I appreciate the kind words!

[@AcornHillHomestead]

I found these today in our own woods finally. The first time I ever found these was like the motherlode on a massive stump. I love these mushrooms.

[@debtheriault6206]

Thank You! You explained this mushroom so thoroughly and I look forward to watching more of your videos. Came across this mushroom today while walking in the woods and sent a photo to a friend who identified it. Going back to pick some!

[@drdybrdyHR]

Amazing initiative! Thank you for teaching me something today. It's refreshing to hear someone explain in a simple way the "how" and "why", in this case, the how's and why's of medicinal properties of this mushroom. Keep up the good work! 💪

[@CalvinsCorner72]

I remember seeing this hunting deer but had no idea what it was. I wish I had learned this when I was a kid because as I learn more I realize I missed a lot. Thanks

[@lspthrattan]

Seeing it around when you're in a good place to find deer is probably no coincidence. Might also be a good place to look for rose hips! Deer love those too.

[@TheAssOfBalaam]

Thanks for the video! I just came across some of these on a hike in mid-August. I suspected they were Chicken of the Woods, but I'm inexperienced in mushrooming and didn't want to take a chance if I'd misidentified them. Your video cleared that up for me, and I'll harvest some the next time I see some.

[@LearnYourLand]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@christinearmington]

So many video makers don’t care about proper pronunciation. It’s irritating and distracting. What a relief and a joy to hear you competently skip through the Latin and multi syllabic verbiage. Thanks and cheers! 👍☘️😎🌞

[@Heathbarbcrunch2]

Thank you. Very well done video. You are a great speaker.

[@Saphireaway]

such a thorough, informative, pleasant video. Thanks man! I found a TON of this mushroom today and am so excited to learn about it and cook it!

[@Novocain-stain]

Great video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. These are my favorite mushrooms to find while camping. Always impresses my friends when I bring some back to camp and cook it up.

[@Meattrapper]

I found my first Chicken of the Woods today and will be cooking it tomorrow. Thank you for helping me in my journey!

[@squaregrouperx]

With all the rain in Maryland and PA this past week, they are popping up like crazy. I could fill a pickup with the ones growing behind my work in Baltimore. If you're in PA, MD or DE, now is the time to look.

[@TangoNevada]

This year has been insane. I wan't really into Mushroom Foraging until I did some hiking this year. The quantity and variety has been beyond insane. I could spend all day gathering individual mushrooms for a week and not even get two of the same kind. It's been out of control this year. But in a good way. If you're a fungus.

[@TangoNevada]

@@account-not-found-try-again I was just starting to think about going back out on a search. I haven't so far. Spent the summer at the beach and haven't made the transition yet. But I will be going out soon. I'm a total noob, so I don't have any books to recommend or suggest. My interest was piqued by a co-worker and a couple of Podcasts.

[@robertrembert4818]

Really impressive how you flow through all these details and names! You have did a great job making it! Some years ago, my friend found some supposed chicken in the woods, and yes, as you said... in for a few rough days... Thanks again!

[@lostbooks2918]

I envy how healthy you look. Your knowledge has paid off brother. And I've seen your recent videos. You look even healthier. Much love and thanks

[@rlcwallpapers]

I found a lot of them here in Vancouver, BC pacific North West on cherry trees, also it's good to mention that they have lots of proteins.

[@joshmilam9212]

Dude you are so smart I’m envious 😂✊🏼 good shit man

[@amandanickerson3445]

Your intelligence and positivity are delightful. Thank you for making informative videos that are enjoyable to watch. c:

[@LearnYourLand]

Thank you Amanda! Glad you enjoy these videos.

[@psyience3213]

I get nice fruitings in my back yard growing off the old ground down stumps

[@ogbeenblazed9839]

I have been researching this specific mushroom for quite some time now and this is by far the most professional video with the most information to help me specifically identify this variety of mushroom thank you for putting this video up for the public to view fantastic job

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Tyler! Glad you found it useful.

[@ogbeenblazed9839]

definitely

[@simulping4371]

Cordyceps Infection : **exists** Chicken Of The Woods : Im about to end this mushroom's whole career

[@giannadiamond4454]

Lmao

[@hreisig]

Thank you for all your enthusiastic wisdom about fungi, I really appreciate it 🙏🏼

[@hikensnooze8180]

Great video! My first edible mushroom is Chicken Of The Woods.

[@alisondeana]

i found my first chicken of the woods hiking yesterday and came straight to you to confirm. i'm so excited!!! been wanting to try these for a while. you're so beautiful ! thanks for sharing your knowledge :)

[@feckva]

I love this video, thank you BUT I highly recommend changing the speed setting to either +1.25 (coked up) or -.5 (drunk)

[@BS-j1965]

Hi Adam just wanted to let you know I really enjoy your videos on fungi! I was cutting the lawn last week and saw a COW growing out of the top of an old oak log but didn't know what it was other then some kind of mushroom. I took a picture of it thinking I would get on KZbin and see what I could find and there you are!! Now that its a week later and I found you just today, the COW is in fade mode (as in getting pale) I wont pick it this year but I sure will mark my calendar to watch for it next year!!! Thank you so much for your wonderful info.

[@nightoftheworld]

Thanks for the video man! How old are you? You seem like a very straight arrow, very enthusiastic and energetic. I really appreciate those that are able to be instructional and inspiring in thier information translation; well done; I will be watching more!

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks for the kind words! I suppose I'm somewhere between young and old... though mushrooms definitely keep me on the younger side.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

@@LearnYourLand wisdom keeps you young too...your videos have me dropping weight, getting stronger and mentally stimulated..... Thanks for your scholarship....the effort shows....

[@linbat6148]

Thanks, Adam! One think I haven't seen covered is how to harvest it so enough spores are left for continued growth in the future! Can you just harvest all of it at once? And how can you keep it, and for how long? I love your videos! Thanks!!!

[@stuttgurth]

Thank you for making additional videos on individual species and look a likes. Very informative.

[@healthyhealingsolutions]

I just found my first one after 3 yrs of looking. Im soooooo excited!

[@christopherharts1995]

Just found your channel and it thought me a couple things. Looking to finish my cabin this year so it's the woods life for me glad to have your channel

[@glicksart]

Thrilled to find this :-) as I found this mushroom today, took some after doing a google reverse image search to confirm it was chicken of the woods but looking at your video once home confirmed it for me - thank you

[@TreeODonnell]

I have used this mushroom in the past and it tastes great.

[@silver-phoenix]

Absolutely LOVE morel mushrooms! I haven't heard of "chicken of the woods" interesting. . .I'll have to go exploring for some. THANK YOU for your educational videos, much appreciated!

[@MrGaborseres]

Thank you for educating us about mushrooms. I'm so interested in edable mushrooms but never confident to identify and eat them....... I live Jax FL

[@carpediem.9]

Very useful vid :) new subscriber from France Love all mushrooms and walks in the woods :)

[@edwardschmitt5710]

It's delicious!!!!! I'm eating it now, total chicken texture and taste!!!! Thanks for the help in ID'ing it.

[@scerb100]

So tasty! I love this mushroom. I have made blackened chicken Po’Boys, chicken cutlets, and I’ve cooked it up in a harissa sauce. I hope one day someone will figure out how to commercially cultivate this mushroom because it’s got a great potential for the market both culinary and medicinal.

[@seavlogs5070]

Outstanding knowledge. My wife and I forged a little bit of chick of the wood but I must not have cooked it enough. I developed extreme pain and the morning after some residual discomfort in my stomach.. Lesson learned😗

[@jzak5723]

Just found my first one of the season today, it was growing on a very rotten log laying on the ground. This same log has produced fall chickens for the last couple years at least.

[@barkingdoggai]

I found a 5 pound COTW today along one of my walking trails. It is now sliced and diced and in my dehydrator for the next 24 hours. The second from the last COTW I dried was not completely dried and therefore mold got it. The two that were dried last week snap, not bend, when tested.

[@lindagillespie6556]

Loved this Adam...chi Miigwech (thank you in anishinabe)

[@bluetickbeagles116]

Your such a great presenter...I can’t stop watching. Outstanding videos! 👍🏻

[@kitsune_samurai9445]

I just found some chicken mushrooms on my hollow. This is the only reason i love Pennsylvania !

[@cruciferousvegetable]

We found chicken of the woods for the first time last year on a tree beside our garden. We were glad to find that it grew back last week. It is our favorite mushroom. We were savoring it like it was king crab. We Sautee in olive oil with salt. Excellent. I want about 5 lbs of COW.

[@mike-yp1uk]

Awesome video i like how you take the time to explain things so well with clear pictures of possible bad mushrooms. Your a great teacher

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks Mike! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@deandeann1541]

Mmm, cincinatus is so tasty, plus the whole mushroom is tender and tasty, even the stem. I got one a couple of years ago that weighed about 8 lbs, it took a couple months to eat, it stayed fresh in my fridge the whole time. Mmmm.

[@bobdavis7108]

Thanks so much for this informative video. I'm fairly new to foraging and just found my first Chicken of the Woods today.

[@LearnYourLand]

Hey Bob, awesome! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video.

[@nfnturner3772]

Very engaging manner... clear, concise and I LUHV all the various & sundry benefits listed. Good work!

[@dcfromthev]

Wish you were out here on the west coast! I realize how different the ecology is in your neck of the woods compared to here in California. Still, absolutely love your work Adam, thanks so much!

[@Garysopinion]

As an unhealthy senior am looking for healthy mushrooms. Thought there were only a few potent oriental medicinal mushroom. Seeing there is good stuff in my backyard woodlot (NW NJ). Wish there was a way to test them since mushroom are so bioremediative.

[@suzymcalister7930]

Loved the video. Just found a bunch of chickens and hens this week in Indiana. I generally throw out the "woody" parts of the mushrooms.

[@WetCoast3770]

You are amazing with your knowledge! Spotted some today on the golf course in vancouver, bc. Beautiful! Thank you for your video.

[@audreychamberlain]

So glad I found you while looking to identify something i thought was chicken in the woods possibly . Well it turned out to be jack a latern as it has gills on the underside. Love your videos.

[@blackjack007ist]

Been finding a ton lately in a hardwood forest in upstate NY ,love it, super delicious.... appreciate the extra medicinal knowledge of this species

[@Fungiacademy]

A really good video, thanks. Just found it growing on a park road stump in Estonia. Chicken of the park.

[@Simmons479]

Great video! I found some Chicken of the wood today for the first time. Too bad it was dried out! Can't wait to find some and cook it up!

[@rachelgardiner997]

Never heard of these until 2 weeks ago, and this week I found some in Downeast Maine! Wish I could send you a photo... it was growing between two tree stumps. I've been watching videos about how to clean and eat them, so happy to have found your channel!

[@monstertrucktennis]

Dude!Tons of info delivered clearly and quickly.Much appreciated.Any tips on preservation?I've tried freezing the excess of my harvest this fall.Am curious to see how it cooks up this winter.

[@ASMRGRATITUDE]

Care to give us any feedback? It's been 2 years. How did it go?

[@Davyc712]

I found some growing 2 weeks ago in central PA near my parents house. Next to the conodoguinet creek

[@justeremiahsjourney]

I grew up in country manor and live next to the connodoguinnet here in Enola right now.

[@TcCatsulis]

Thank you for your helping me understand mushrooms I'm a beginner

[@KambizSayari]

Bro your freaking great thanks for these amazing videos! !!

[@marissaaxtell]

Thank you so much for this video! We are so excited to here the health benefits of this mushroom.

[@marissaaxtell]

Hear! Lol! Sorry, I'm cleaning some as I watch your video.

[@danunderwood6240]

Thanks for the info. Good video. I just came across my first batch today down in Missouri. Of course I only stumble across it when I'm not looking for it. This was only a few good size shrooms growing from an exposed root on the bank of a creek. Cooked it up with some olive oil, butter, garlic, onions, and a little chicken seasoning. Delicious. I was not aware that it had medicinal qualities to it though. Thanks for the info and keep up the good work. Good to see other people who love nature and natural living also.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks, Dan!

[@erinbyrd5377]

I went out to the woods today and found what I think is chicken of the woods. I took a picture. I also took some samples home to identify.

[@errorASMR]

thank you for your endless knowledge

[@faithmumma1037]

Thanks for your thorough description and the educational aspects of this presentation. Great job!

[@AshleyMarieMommy]

You are amazingly knowledgeable and informative! Thank you! I just found a chicken of the woods but I’ve been told by a lady it is not one but she thinks I’m talking about Hen of the Woods. I wish I could email you a photo and chat with you for information. I just don’t want to get sick or hurt my family. Either way thank you so much.

[@andyandy4471]

Thank you for all you do adam

[@jonathanwiggins5366]

Super informative and great presentation. You got me pumped to learn about and eat some mushrooms.

[@emilygalassini5766]

This is great!! I knew chicken of the woods was edible, but had never harvested it before today. Just gathered some and came home and found your video. But I was wondering, is it a good practice to leave some behind to encourage it to come back?

[@Xtraior]

Emily Galassini I would assume so

[@vonbuzz9009]

The mycyllium is still present in the wood it was harvested from,, the mushroom itself is like a fruit ,, the mycyllium IS the tree bearing the fruit,, the hardwood that it grows in was either dying or dead ,, and the mycyllium creates cubic butt rott,,,while it pulling the nutrients out of the wood cells ,,, drying like a mud flatt in a drought and cracking into cube shapes inside the core of the tree stump / log,,,,, reguarding leaving some there , i dont think it matters , but generally carefully cutting it off the tree is better than prying it off,, wont damage the outermost mycyllium ,,,, and you really dont want to eat the whole thing anyway ,, the older inner parts become too hard to digest ! I usually cut off the softer outer inch or two , and throw the rest back into the woods ,,, make shure they are cooked well ,, undercooked will cause some digestion discomfort,, and if its your first time trying them ,try just a small portion , not a whole plate full, sometimes it dosent agree with some folks , rare but it happens,,, I love them in olive oil ,little butter ,salt and pepper , and a pinch of garlic ,,, MMMMM.

[@TemplePriestess]

So glad I found your channel! I just bought some acreage and am excited to learn how to forage for edibles and ID trees on my property. I know your channel will help me on my journey! Many thanks ✌🏽️💜

[@LearnYourLand]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@lefroy1]

Nicely done Adam. Thank you.

[@kia2241]

I spotted a whole tree full of them, will go back tommorow to harvest some and make sure it’s the same thing your talking about

[@wick801]

Awesome videos, you have helped me out a great deal in what mushrooms I choose to harvest. I have used your videos as one more tool to kelp me identify what I have exactly,sometimes what I find doesn't always look the same although I'm usually pretty sure what I have! Thank you and please keep them coming!

[@nancynee7680]

Great video & education about mushrooms, learned something. Thanks.

[@kaynine9022]

Great video, I had no idea about its medicinal properties. Found some for the first time in three years yesterday so we're having a chicken of the woods carbonara! Thanks for your info

[@roberttrainor7659]

subbed. i really enjoy your video. excellent work. well presented. and you speak so clearly and directly with enthusiasm and passion. i feel as if i was standing in front of you and you were speaking directly to me. thanks for no annoying music too.

[@LearnYourLand]

Thanks so much, Robert! I'm glad you enjoyed this video.

[@richardreeve6100]

Nice work, Adam. Great series of videos and your enthusiasm is inspiring!

[@ByGraceIGo]

Great video! I found some nice COTW on the side of the road today in the woods! My first time picking it!

[@erinearth]

Super informative! I am a long-time forager and just starting to add mushrooms to my list. I'll be checking out your videos - thanks for sharing what you know - your educational efforts are much appreciated!

[@emersonthoreaullc2219]

Wow, just exactly what I needed. Especially glad to know that these mushrooms are likely to come back year after year in the same place. You are so articulate I thought you must be reading from a script until I watched a couple of your other videos and saw that wasn't the case. Thanks for the info and for your passion. You are like the perfect instructor. (Plus, such a beautiful logo and website. Obviously, a class A operation.)