A media storm has erupted after The New York Times featured a photo of a chicken in an erotic-looking pose.

The so-called "sexy chicken" and "pin-up chicken" appeared in a story about legitimisation of chicken skin among contemporary chefs.

It featured a close-up of a busty specimen of chicken "posing" seductively with its wings on its thigh and its legs crossed in a come-hither stance (above).

Tiina Loite, the photo editor who dreamt up the shoot, said it was no mean feat trying to sex up the chicken.

"My original concept was sort of a languid nude,” she told The Times' lens blog, adding that she spent hours analysing chicken photos for exactly the right look.