Like chicken, obviously afraid (5)

I believe the answer is:

ashen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'obviously afraid' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'like chicken' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'chicken' becomes 'hen' (hen is a kind of chicken).
'as'+'hen'='ASHEN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ashen that I've seen before include "Anaemic looking" , "Pale in complexion" , "lacking in colour" , "Like bird" , "Bloodless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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