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    Home » All Recipes

    May 31, 2023

    Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    Published on May 31, 2023. Updated on May 31, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Air Fryer Cornish Hen-pinterest image

    Dazzle your family and friends with this insanely delicious air fryer cornish hen recipe! It's perfect for a small family gathering and adds elegance to a special occasion.

    keto cornish hen ready to eat.
    cornish hen in air fryer
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love it
    • What is a cornish hen?
    • 🥘 Equipment Used
    • 🧾 Ingredients Used
    • 🔪 How To Make This Recipe
    • 🥫 Storing and Reheating
    • 💭 Tips and Variations
    • 🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?
    • 👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions
    • 📚 Related Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    These small chickens have very juicy meat and are so easy to cook. They are small enough to fit entirely in an air fryer, which is the perfect way to cook this delicious juicy cornish hen. The game birds come out with very crispy skin and so much flavor!

    What is a cornish hen?

    Cornish hens, also known as Rock Cornish game hens, are small whole chickens that grow quickly and are ready to be cooked at about four weeks old. 

    These mini rotisserie chickens can weigh anywhere from 1 to 5 pounds and are primarily white meat, making them lean meat. These little birds also taste like regular chicken, though they're a bit pricier per pound.

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    Cornish hens are bred for their very tender meat since the chicken is so young. They are either male or female, despite being called hens. 

    Cornish game hens are perfect for a simple meal, dinner party, or holiday meal. They have such a delicious flavor when appropriately seasoned. You will definitely impress your dinner guests with this cornish game hen recipe!

    🥘 Equipment Used

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    To make this easy recipe, you will need an air fryer, a pair of tongs, and a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I have a 4qt ninja foodi air fryer which was the perfect size for a 1.5lb cornish chicken. I could even fit two cornish hens inside! It's also perfect for my air fryer whole chicken.

    Check out this list of the best affordable air fryers to make easy crispy healthy dishes!

    🧾 Ingredients Used

    raw cornish hen, chicken seasoning on a wooden surface.
    • Whole Cornish hen (approximately 1.5lbs): In the US, you can find these small birds in many grocery stores in the freezer section. They are usually frozen and will need to be thawed.
    • Olive oil: You may also choose to use any other cooking spray or melted butter.
    • Chicken seasoning: I use my homemade chicken dry rub for this cornish hens recipe. It is made of common spices and herbs that you most likely already have in your spice drawer, like garlic powder and black pepper. But you can also use your favorite seasonings.

    🔪 How To Make This Recipe

    1. First, thoroughly rinse the whole chicken over running water, then pat dry with a paper towel.
    2. Preheat your air fryer to 360F.
    3. Get a large bowl and spray the cornish hen with some olive oil.
    4. Rub the chicken seasoning all over the entire chicken. 
    5. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down, and air fry for 30 minutes.
    6. Flip with a pair of tongs and then air fry for an additional 10-15 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F.
    7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
    homemade chicken dry rub on game hen.
    how to make cornish hen in air fryer

    🥫 Storing and Reheating

    To store leftover cornish hen, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it. You can also put the leftover pieces of cornish hen in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.

    You can freeze it if you would like to store it for longer. Wrap it up in cling film or put it in a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer. It will remain fresh this way for up to three months.

    Thaw the hen overnight in the fridge so you can easily reheat it. Then air fry it at 350F for a few minutes until it is heated. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. A reading of 165F shows it's safe to eat.

    💭 Tips and Variations

    • It is always a good idea to ensure the chicken is dry before putting it in an air fryer so it cooks faster.
    • Rub the insides of the hen with the dry rub so that it is fully seasoned. For more flavor, season the flesh under the skin all over the bird.
    • When checking for doneness with a thermometer, make sure the thermometer is not touching bone but flesh only. Bone tends to be hotter while cooking, so the thermometer might give you a false reading.
    • If you don't have homemade chicken seasoning, lemon pepper is a great option to add flavor.
    low carb game hen on a plate.
    air fryer cornish game hen recipe

    🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?

    Like regular chicken, these delicious air fryer cornish hens are versatile and can be eaten in different ways. You can garnish it with fresh herbs and eat it with gravy or your favorite hot sauce. You can use it as a meal prep for the family or to enjoy on special occasions. Serve this finger-licking easy air fryer recipe with some cauliflower rice or in some delectable stew.

    👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

    How long does it take to cook a hen in the air fryer?

    You should be able to thoroughly cook a cornish hen in the air fryer in about 40-45 minutes. But, of course, it depends on the size of the hen and the power capacity of your air fryer. If you have a powerful air fryer with a strong and effective fan, the hen will cook a bit faster than that.

    Is Cornish hen healthier than chicken?

    Cornish hen is comparable in nutritional value to regular chicken. They are a good source of protein and low in carbs, making them perfect for those who want to eat healthier.

    Should Cornish hens be cooked breast up or breast down?

    Just like cooking regular chicken, it's important to cook the cornish hens with the breast side up. This allows the dark meat on the back of the bird to become soft and tender and you'll get a nice crispy skin on top of the breast.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Check out these other delicious air fryer recipes!

    Air Fryer Frozen Okra

    Air Fryer Chicken Breast

    Air Fryer Salmon Recipe

    Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

    Air Fryer Salmon

    Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp

    air fryer cornish hen on a bed of lettuce.

    📖 Recipe

    small cornish hen on a bed of lettuce

    Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    Dazzle your family and friends with this insanely delicious air fryer cornish hen recipe! It's perfect for a small family gathering and adds elegance to a special occasion.
    5 from 2 votes
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 906kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cornish hen approx 1.5lbs
    • tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning

    Instructions

    • First, thoroughly rinse the whole chicken over running water, then pat dry with a paper towel.
    • Preheat your air fryer to 360F.
    • Get a large bowl and spray the cornish hen with some olive oil.
    • Rub the chicken seasoning all over the entire chicken.
    • Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, breast side down, and air fry for 30 minutes.
    • Flip with a pair of tongs and then air fry for an additional 10-15 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F.
    • Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    This recipe serves 1 and contains 0 net carbs per serving.
    • It is always a good idea to make sure the chicken is dry before putting it in an air fryer, so it cooks faster.
    • Rub the insides of the hen with the dry rub so that it is fully seasoned. For more flavor, season the flesh under the skin all over the bird.
    • When checking for doneness with a thermometer, make sure the thermometer is not touching bone but flesh only. Bone tends to be hotter while cooking, so the thermometer might give you a false reading.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 906kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 78g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Cholesterol: 455mg | Sodium: 1439mg | Potassium: 1085mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 486IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 4mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Phil says

      January 14, 2023 at 8:30 pm

      Hi. most Cornish hens are frozen. do you thaw before doing this recipe?

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        January 15, 2023 at 6:25 pm

        Yes, it's better to thaw it first.

        Reply

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