The chicken is a perennial favorite in the origami zoo — cheerful, recognizable, and a great next step once you've folded a few simpler birds. This complete tutorial walks through all 14 steps, alternating crease-and-fold sequences that gradually shape the body, wings, and head from a single square. It's an ideal project for a rainy afternoon, a farm-themed craft session, or decorating an Easter table. Use a sheet with a different color on each side and the finished chicken will show a nice two-tone effect. Let's get folding.

Step 1.

Fold it in half and make a crease.

Step 2.

Fold it along the crease.

Step 3.

Turn it over.

Step 4.

Fold it in half.

Step 5.

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

Step 6.

Fold it inward at the crease.

Step 7.

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

Step 8.

Fold it inward at the crease.

Step 9.

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

Step 10.

Fold it inward at the crease.

Step 11.

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

Step 12.

Fold it inward at the crease.

Step 13.

Make a crease at the position shown in the photo.

Step 14.

Fold it inward at the crease.

You’re done!

The chicken is complete.