How To Do The Chicken Dance: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Do the Chicken Dance PDF download Download Article Explore this Article parts 1 Doing the “Chicken” Part 2 Doing the Polka Portion Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jami Stigliano

Last Updated: September 13, 2025

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This article was co-authored by Jami Stigliano. Jami Stigliano is a dance choreographer and the founder and CEO of DivaDance based in Austin, Texas. DivaDance was founded in 2016, born out of a desire to revolutionize adult dance classes, inspire confidence, and build community, with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. The flagship studio opened in Austin, Texas, and DivaDance began franchising in 2015, with more than 40 locations around the US and online. DivaDance has been featured in People, USA Today, InStyle, Time Out New York, and more. Jami also had an 18-year career in the music industry, spending nearly a decade at JIVE Records and working with artists like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, The Chainsmokers, among others. She has a BS in Corporate Communication from the University of Texas at Austin. This article has been viewed 323,738 times.

The chicken dance is popular around the world and is an activity fit for fun occasions, such as parties, dinners with friends, and informal wedding receptions. The steps are not difficult, so put on the Chicken Dance song and you will be polkaing like a chicken in no time!

How to Do the Chicken Dance Moves

  1. Perform the chicken beak move (x4).
  2. Flap your wings (x4).
  3. Bend your knees and shake your hips (x4).
  4. Stand up straight and clap your hands to the music (x4).
  5. Hook your elbows with a partner and spin in circles (x8).
  6. Repeat the steps.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Doing the “Chicken” Part

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  1. Step 1 Join the crowd as the song starts. 1 Join the crowd as the song starts. As you hear the Chicken Dance song start, head to the dance floor and join the circle of other dancers. The crowd may also be formed in a line, or broken into groups of different people doing the dance by themselves.[1]
    • The Chicken Dance is done in repetitions of three, followed by a clap at the end of the section.
  2. Step 2 Make the chicken beak with your hands. 2 Make the chicken beak with your hands. Holding your arms out before you, form your “chicken beaks” by pressing your fingers and thumb together, opening and shutting your hand like the beak of a chicken.
    • Open and close your beaks four times in time with the music.
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  3. Step 3 Flap your wings four times. 3 Flap your wings four times. Putting your thumbs in your armpits, flap your elbows as if they are wings. With your hands in your armpits, your elbows should point out, resembling chicken wings.
    • Repeat this motion four times in sync with the music.
  4. Step 4 Bend your knees and shake your hips with the music. 4 Bend your knees and shake your hips with the music. With your hands at your hips like the feathers of a chicken, move your hips to the left and right as you lower yourself down toward the ground.
    • There is no rule on how low you are supposed to go during the shaking of your hips.
  5. Step 5 Stand up straight and clap four times with the music. 5 Stand up straight and clap four times with the music. As this is the last step of the Chicken Dance, prepare yourself for two more rounds of repeating these dance moves. In some versions of the Chicken Dance song, the pace increases as the song progresses, so prepare yourself for things to move faster.[2]
    • This dance can also be done in the seated position if you have someone who is injured or who cannot stand.
  6. Step 6 Give yourself some creative freedom. 6 Give yourself some creative freedom. Although these are the basic guidelines to the chicken dance, allow yourself to be creative and mix things up. The Chicken Dance is supposed to be fun, so if you feel like there is something you can do to spice things up, don’t hesitate to do so.[3]
    • The more loose and free you are while doing the Chicken Dance, the more fun you will have.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Doing the Polka Portion

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  1. Step 1 Hook your elbows with a partner's. 1 Hook your elbows with a partner's. In between the Chicken Dance portion of the song, find a partner and interlock your elbows. If you cannot find a partner, do not worry about it. You can stomp your feet and clap on the outside of the circle, or simply watch until the song changes.[4]
    • This polka section is temporary, and you can enjoy dancing with yourself until the Chicken Dance part starts again.
  2. Step 2 Spin in circles for eight counts. 2 Spin in circles for eight counts. With your partner, spin in circles for a count of eight, switching arms and spinning in the opposite direction every time. As you detach elbows, you can also switch partners and spin with someone new.[5]
    • Children can hold hands and spin together in a circle, spinning in one direction for eight counts and changing directions for eight counts.[6]
  3. Step 3 Prepare to start the Chicken Dance again. 3 Prepare to start the Chicken Dance again. Once you finish the Chicken Dance, return to your starting position and prepare to start again. The shift in pace and tone of the music will be obvious. If you are uncertain whether the chicken dance portion is starting again, just observe what other people are doing and follow suit.[7]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Is this an appropriate dance move to jam out with during any song? Community Answer Community Answer Yes. Absolutely. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 25 Helpful 111
  • Question Is it okay if my whole middle school tells me I look very stupid doing this? Community Answer Community Answer If doing the chicken dance makes you happy, you should it, no matter what anyone says. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 40 Helpful 133
  • Question Why does my chicken dance look like I'm having a seizure? Community Answer Community Answer That's the way everyone else looks. It is supposed to be that way. Just have fun. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 32 Helpful 102
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References

  1. ↑ Jami Stigliano. Dance Instructor and Entrepreneur. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/89007/brief-history-chicken-dance
  3. ↑ http://mentalfloss.com/article/89007/brief-history-chicken-dance
  4. ↑ http://www.freewheelers.org/1DancingFool/polka.htm
  5. ↑ http://www.freewheelers.org/1DancingFool/polka.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.freewheelers.org/1DancingFool/polka.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.freewheelers.org/1DancingFool/polka.htm

About This Article

Jami Stigliano Co-authored by: Jami Stigliano Dance Instructor This article was co-authored by Jami Stigliano. Jami Stigliano is a dance choreographer and the founder and CEO of DivaDance based in Austin, Texas. DivaDance was founded in 2016, born out of a desire to revolutionize adult dance classes, inspire confidence, and build community, with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity. The flagship studio opened in Austin, Texas, and DivaDance began franchising in 2015, with more than 40 locations around the US and online. DivaDance has been featured in People, USA Today, InStyle, Time Out New York, and more. Jami also had an 18-year career in the music industry, spending nearly a decade at JIVE Records and working with artists like Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, The Chainsmokers, among others. She has a BS in Corporate Communication from the University of Texas at Austin. This article has been viewed 323,738 times. 118 votes - 67% Co-authors: 46 Updated: September 13, 2025 Views: 323,738 Categories: Fun Dances Article SummaryX

To do the chicken dance, use your hands to form "beaks” by pressing your fingers and thumb together, then open and shut your hands 4 times. Next, put your thumbs in your armpits and flap your elbows 4 times so they look like wings. Put your hands at your hips so they look like feathers and shake your hips as you bend your knees, then stand up straight and clap 4 times with the music! For tips on doing the polka portion of the chicken dance, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Anonymous

    Anonymous

    Feb 21, 2018

    "All my life my friends have been doing the chicken dance and made fun of me for not being able to join in. I..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jami Stigliano Co-authored by: Jami Stigliano Dance Instructor 118 votes - 67% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 46 Updated: September 13, 2025 Views: 323,738 Anonymous

Anonymous

Feb 21, 2018

"All my life my friends have been doing the chicken dance and made fun of me for not being able to join in. I..." more Rated this article: Rose Asogwa

Rose Asogwa

Jun 14, 2020

"I needed to understand what "polka" means and this explained it well!!" Anonymous

Anonymous

Jul 22, 2018

"Everyone thinks that i am cool because I can do the chicken dance. " Jameson Mcfly

Jameson Mcfly

Mar 12, 2017

"I loved it when those elbows were sticking out of her shirt." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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