Rounded Ridges
Chanterelles have a very unique texture on the underside of the cap. They have these very small, rounded ridges that often have veiny connections. This is quite different from the paper-thin radial gills that you see on most other mushrooms.
Cap
There are a few qualities of chanterelle caps that help to differentiate them from other similar-looking mushrooms.
A chanterelle cap is generally smooth. It should not be fuzzy or scaly. The cap margin could be ruffled, uplifted, or rolled inward.
Tissue
Chanterelles are typically more robust and ‘meaty’ than similar-looking mushrooms. The stem is dense tissue rather than hollow. When you peel the mushroom apart you will notice that it separates like string cheese or cooked chicken breast.
Other Characteristics
There are some other unique characteristics with chanterelles that are not necessarily useful for identification but still important to mention
Habitat: Chanterelles are soil-dwelling mushrooms. They are not found growing out of wood. Nearby, but not on wood.
Scent: Smell a fresh chanterelle and you might notice a sweet fruitiness or apricot scent
Similar to Chanterelles
Chroogomphus tomentosus
Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca