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Looking for an easy way to cook Cornish hens? These little birds come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them perfect for any gathering. So next time you’re looking for a festive meal, give this Air Fryer Cornish Hens recipe a try!
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Cooking up a delightful meal of Cornish hens doesn’t require an extensive list of ingredients. All you need are four Cornish hens, vegetable oil, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
To make these hens even more flavorful and succulent, try rubbing them down with a bit of your favorite barbecue sauce before putting them in the oven!
Together, these ingredients create a tantalizing dish as the Cornish hens become nicely browned for a delicious dinner that’s sure to please.
What are Cornish Game Hens?
If you haven’t cooked Cornish Game Hens before, you might be wondering what they are and how they differ from chicken.
Cornish Game Hens, otherwise known as Rock Cornish Hens, are a hybrid chicken that was first bred in the 1950s for use in restaurants and home kitchens. They are small birds with white meat. Though they may look like young chickens, Cornish Game Hens are hens at maturity.
This type of bird got its name because its flavor and texture is similar to a game bird such as a pheasant or partridge. Their tenderness makes them an ideal choice to serve at large gatherings or holidays, as they do not require much preparation time when compared to larger birds, like a whole chicken.
Even if you haven’t cooked with Cornish Game Hens before, it’s definitely worth a try. You won’t be disappointed. Especially cooking them in the air fryer. They get so crispy and flavorful on the outside and retain their juiciness on the inside.
Ingredients You Need
- Cornish Game Hens – It’s fairly easy to find these in the freezer section of the grocery store, individually packaged.
- Olive oil – Olive oil gives a nice flavor and helps to crispy the skin. You can also spray with cooking oil spray instead.
- Seasonings – Paprika, chili powder, onion powder, salt, ground black pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Spread the olive oil all over the hens. I like to do this because it helps the seasoning adhere to the bird, but it also ensures a nice crispy golden brown skin. You can use an olive oil spray if you want instead.
Mix all of the spices together in a bowl. Sprinkle it evenly over hens. Try to get all of the nooks and crannies, so every part of the skin has flavor added.
Place the hens in the air fryer, breast side down, and cook for 40 minutes. Turn over with a pair of tongs at the halfway point. Cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165°F. For me, that’s almost always right on 40 minutes.
If your hens were smaller or larger than mine, or if they were colder or warmer when you started, the timing might vary for you. It’s always best to check the meat with a thermometer to be sure. I love my digital instant read Thermopen for this.
Remove the hens from the basket when they reach 165°F and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This waiting period will ensure the meat is thoroughly cooked and all the juices are retained.
Alternate Seasonings
There are endless ways you can season your Cornish Game Hens. I use a mixture of seasonings that I really like, including paprika, chili powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. But you can branch out and use other seasonings or dry rubs that you like.
Try one or more of these seasoning options for a change:
- Cajun seasoning
- Montreal seasoning
- Melted butter instead of olive oil
- Brine in a mixture of soy sauce and lemon juice
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- Seereviews and pricesfor air fryers on Amazon.
- Click tofind more recipesto make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
How to Thaw Cornish Game Hens
Most often, hens are kept in the frozen section of the grocery store. So it is likely that you’re starting with a frozen hen. To defrost it, set it on a plate, or in a bowl, and put it in the refrigerator to thaw. This often will take overnight or at least 12 hours, so prepare for the extra time.
You can cook the hen from frozen in the air fryer, but it will take at least an extra 10 to 15 minutes to cook and the skin won’t be as crispy and seasoned. After the hen has cooked for a while and is thawed, you can open the basket and add your seasonings and oil.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook a hen in an air fryer?
Depending on the size of the Cornish Game Hen that you’re cooking, it will take about 35-40 minutes to cook a hen in the air fryer at 350°F. If you’ve taken the hen out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking, it will take a few minutes less. You’ll want to keep an eye on the internal temperature to be sure.
What temperature should you cook cornish hens?
I like to cook Cornish Game Hens at 350°F in the air fryer. This allows enough time for the chicken to cook through while crisping, but not overdoing, the skin. If you cook it at a higher temperature, it is likely that the skin will begin to burn before the meat can properly cook.
Is Cornish hen healthier than chicken?
Cornish hens are often thought of as the healthier option when it comes to poultry, but is this actually true? Although they are lower in fat and calories, depending on the cooking method, they can still contain as much cholesterol as a regular chicken and have the same nutritional value. There isn’t enough evidence to say that Cornish Hens are healthier.
What is the proper way to eat a Cornish hen?
Cornish hens are a delicious and versatile dish perfect for any occasion. To eat it, remove it from its packaging, season with your favorite spices, and roast in the air fryer until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Once cooked, you can cut along each side of the backbone to get two pieces of breast meat. Then it’s easy to cut or pull off the leg and thigh bone, as well as the wings. Serve with your favorite sides such as roasted veggies or mashed potatoes and enjoy.
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Air Fryer Cornish Hens
These little birds come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them perfect for any gathering. So next time you’re looking for a festive meal, give this Air Fryer Cornish Hens recipe a try!
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Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Equipment
- (Video) How to prepare delicious marinated air fried Cornish hens
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens thawed and packaging removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Spread the olive oil all over the hens.
Mix the spices together in a bowl. Sprinkle evenly over hens.
Place the hens in the air fryer, breast side down, and cook for 20 minutes. Turn over and continue cooking for 20 more minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165°F.
Remove the hens from the basket and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Calories: 1033kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 78gFat: 77gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 38gCholesterol: 455mgSodium: 1455mgPotassium: 1114mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.5gVitamin A: 1017IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 4mg
Keyword Cornish Hens
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Laura Lynch
Laura spends a lot of her time cooking and creating recipes to share. She loves traveling and learning about new foods around the world to bring into her own recipes at home.
FAQs
How long does it take to cook a frozen cornish hen in an air fryer? ›
To cook cornish game hen from frozen: Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees. Place the hen(s) in a single layer and spritz with cooking oil. Cook for 40 minutes until heated through, flipping the hen(s) halfway to ensure even cooking.
How long to cook Cornish hen at 400 degrees? ›What temperature should Cornish game hens be cooked at? Roasting Cornish game hens at 400 degrees F for about 45 to 50 minutes results in perfectly cooked hens with crispy skin. Cornish game hens should be cooked until the thickest portion reaches 165 degrees F when measured with an instant read meat thermometer.
Can you put a hen in an air fryer? ›Place each hen in the air fryer basket, breast side down. Air fry the hens at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, and then flip to the other side, and cook for an additional 15 minutes. The hens will be done cooking when they have reached internal temperatures of 165 degrees F.
How long to cook Cornish hens in Pampered Chef air fryer? ›Quick cooking time–only about 30 minutes!
What is the best temperature to cook a Cornish hen? ›You should cook cornish hen for about 45 minutes to 60 minutes at 400 F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should read 165 F when fully cooked.
How many minutes do you cook chicken in a Airfryer? ›Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray then air fry the chicken for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
How do you know when a Cornish hen is done? ›Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear.
Do you wash cornish hens before cooking? ›HINT: You do not have to wash the Cornish hens before cooking them. Pour the Rotel over the hens and add ½ cup of water to the slow cooker.
What is the proper way to eat a Cornish hen? ›After the hens are completely thawed, turn them over so they are breast side down. Cut along each side of the backbone, removing and discarding the backbone. From this point, you can turn each bird over and flatten the whole hen or cut it in half along the breastbone and roast.
Why is my air fried chicken not crispy? ›Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.
How do you keep chicken from drying in the air fryer? ›
Most importantly, don't overcook it! Use an instant read thermometer to make sure you don't cook it too long. You can also marinate your chicken. We love balsamic chicken marinade, honey mustard chicken marinade, and Italian chicken marinade.
How do I make my chicken not dry in the air fryer? ›Tips for the Best Juicy Air Fryer Chicken
Don't overcrowd. Cook in batches if you need to. Check: Check the temp earlier than you think so you don't accidently over cook the chicken. Appliances can vary so go by temperature of your chicken to ensure it's done.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place the leftover chicken in the air fryer and cook for about 3 minutes until the chicken is warmed thoroughly.
- Remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!
Going forward, we do not recommend using foil in the Deluxe Air Fryer. This is standard for air fryers in general.
How to cook Cornish hen in a Chefman air fryer? ›Insert and attach the rotisserie fork into the holes in the air fryer and cook at 360F for 30 minutes. Once your Cornish hen is done cooking and golden brown, use the Safety Grip Tool to remove the rotisserie from the air fryer, carefully remove the forks and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Do you cook cornish hen breast up or breast down? ›Place breast side up on rack in shallow roasting pan. 5. Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
Should Cornish hen be pink inside? ›The USDA says that as long as all parts of the chicken have reached a minimum internal temperature of 165°, it is safe to eat. Color does not indicate doneness. The USDA further explains that even fully cooked poultry can sometimes show a pinkish tinge in the meat and juices.
Is Cornish hen healthier than chicken? ›Nutrition. Cornish hens' adolescence also contributes to a lower fat content. Since they are comprised of primarily white meat, Cornish hens are very lean and rich in niacin, which can help lower cholesterol and boost brain function.
Do you put foil on chicken in air fryer? ›Yes, you can wrap chicken in foil in air fryer. This will help to keep the chicken moist and prevent it from drying out. It is important to use a good quality foil so that it does not tear easily.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›You can use tin foil in an air fryer basket, you just need to make sure the foil doesn't cover all of the holes in the basket. Those holes are what allow the heat and air to push up from the heating element into the basket and then back down again as it cooks.
Are cornish hens worth it? ›
They cost more than regular chicken, but as splurges go, it's a cheap thrill. Aside from the diminutive size, their most notable trait is the tenderness of their meat, and the way it can accommodate a lemony marinade or quickly absorb the flavors of a spice rub.
How long does it take to cook a Cornish hen frozen? ›If you forgot to thaw your Cornish Hen, you can cook it from frozen. Just roast for 1/2 an hour, then add a pat of butter and season with salt/pepper. Continue roasting for the recommended time or until your cornish hen is fully cooked and registers 165˚F on an instant read thermometer.
Can you cook frozen chicken in an air fryer without thawing? ›The answer is no, you don't have to defrost chicken breast before air frying it. In fact, cooking frozen chicken breast in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table.
How long do you cook fully cooked frozen chicken in the air fryer? ›- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place the leftover chicken in the air fryer and cook for about 3 minutes until the chicken is warmed thoroughly.
- Remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!
Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper on both sides. Put the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 360 degrees F until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 degrees F, 18 to 20 minutes.
Do you cook Cornish hens breast side up or down? ›Place breast side up on rack in shallow roasting pan. 5. Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
How long does it take to thaw 2 Cornish hens? ›Frozen game hens should be allowed sufficient time to thaw in the refrigerator before cooking—this can take up to a day. You can also place the hen in a cold water bath; although this results in a shorter thawing time than refrigeration, it does require more attention.
Should you wash Cornish hens before cooking? ›HINT: You do not have to wash the Cornish hens before cooking them. Pour the Rotel over the hens and add ½ cup of water to the slow cooker.