Officers were called to East Marketgait in the city at 08:30 after reports of the bird "giving passing motorists cause for concern".
The chicken was traced by officers and taken to a police station, with the SSPCA brought in to care for it.
The force is working to trace the bird's owner, and appealed for "any information" about the incident.
Social media reports suggested up to three uniformed officers were seen "chasing" the chicken.
Police have issued an appeal for information about why a chicken was seen crossing the road in Dundee.