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    Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    Air Fryer Cornish Hen

    Posted On December 9, 2020 By Mirlene Last updated December 21, 2020 8 Comments

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    Air Fryer Cornish Hen Pinterest Pin

    For a little elegance at your dinner table, you can’t go wrong with the Air Fryer Cornish Hen.

    • two Cornish Hens on a bed of fresh herbs in baking dish

    There’s something extra special about being served up a whole, perfectly baked bird with golden-brown skin and succulent meat. And even better, they’re incredibly simple to cook, making them an ideal choice for low-effort entertaining that’s bound to impress your guests.

    What is the difference between a chicken and a Cornish hen?

    Cornish Hen may just sound like a fancy name for chicken, but there are some key differences between the two. While both are the same species of bird, Cornish refers to a particular breed of chicken.

    Cornish chickens are raised primarily for meat as they are not particularly good egg-layers. They are much smaller than standard chickens, and are usually served whole as a single serving.

    • uncooked seasoned Cornish Hens with fork and celery

    They also tend to be butchered younger, resulting in a more tender meat with a lower fat content. Tastewise, you won’t necessarily be able to tell the two apart.

    But thanks to their size, Cornish hens are much easier and quicker to bake, and better yet, cook in the air fryer, resulting in juicy meat and deliciously crispy skin.

    Cornish Hen Air Fryer Cooking Guide:

    A good test to see if your Cornish Hen air fryer is ready is to test a small section from the thickest part on the meat.

    If the liquid runs clear, then the meat is cooked. But if they are tinged slightly pink, it will need more time in the oven.

    When ready to air fry or bake the Cornish Hen, make a small slit on the hanging skin towards the bottom of the bird and insert the legs.

    The bird is fully cooked when the temperature reaches 165 degrees after 25 minutes.

    • Cornish Hen on wooden cutting board.

    Baking Guide:

    • Onions, celery and herbs in a baking dish.

    For the oven baked Cornish hen, I recommend putting the bird on a bed of fresh ingredients such as onions, celery, and herb to help further enhance the flavor of the juice.

    • meat on a bed of herbs and onion

    If you would like to be extra sure that your Cornish hen is cooked through, you can’t go wrong with a meat thermometer.

    Just insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the bird (the breast and inner thigh is a good bet). If the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees, you know that the meat is done.

    Does it need to rest?

    You might be tempted to skip this step, but resting is a vital part of the cooking process when it comes to whole baked meats.

    • Air Fryer Cornish Hen in baking dish

    If you cut straight into your Cornish hen straight out of the air fryer or oven, you will lose all those tasty juices. By letting it rest, gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the bird, making for irresistibly juicy and tender meat. This is the same method used when baking a whole turkey or an overnight turkey.

    Do you cover Cornish hens when baking?

    It is not necessary to cover the meat when baking or in the air fryer. However, when making the oven baked cornish hen, I do cover it slightly to retain moisture while it bakes. We do not cover the meat when it is being cooked in the air fryer.

    • bird in baking dish covered with aluminum foil.

    To make sure your Cornish hen stays hot during the resting time, cover the entire thing loosely with foil and place two clean dish towels over the top. 

    What Should I Serve With Cornish Hen?

    This versatile dish can be served with a wide range of sides and can be made into a meal to suit every taste.

    • two Cornish Hen in a baking tray

    You could try it with some buttery mashed potatoes and sauteed vegetables of your choice, with a fresh green salad for a light dinner option, or you could make it all the more indulgent by serving with some rich macaroni au gratin or with this creamy macaroni cheese.

    We would love to know if you tried this recipe, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.

    two Cornish Hen in a baking tray

    Cornish Hen Air Fryer Recipe

    Savory Thoughts
    For a little elegance at your dinner table, you can’t go wrong with Air Fryer Cornish Hen. This recipe works for both Air Fryer and in the oven.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American, Caribbean, Haitian
    Servings 4 People
    Calories 294 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Fresh Cornish Hens 1 ½ Pounds Each
    • 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

    Air Fryer Ingredients

    • 1 Tsp. Kosher salt
    • 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
    • 2 Tsp. Lemon Pepper
    • 1 Tsp. Paprika

    Oven Baked Ingredients

    • About 4 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
    • About 4 to 5 Fresh Thyme Sprigs
    • 6 Garlic Cloves
    • 2 Celery Stalks Cut in 4
    • 1 Large Onion Quartered

    Instructions
     

    • Remove the giblets from cavity of t hens; discard. Wash thouroughly and pat dry with paper towels. Place Hens in a large plate.
      Mix the air fryer ingredients in a small bowl. 
      Apply the olive oil over the Hens. Then apply the dry seasoning (air fryer) mixture to both Hens on all sides. Adjust the seasoning measurements if necessary. 
      Ingredients list

    Air Fryer Cooking Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer. Add the Cornish Hens in the basket.
      Air fry for 25 minutes on 350 degrees.
      Cook the Hens until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the air fryer and let sit.
      two Cornish Hens on a bed of fresh herbs in baking dish

    Oven Baked instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 425°F. In a large baking dish, arrange the herbs, celery, and onion.
      Place the Cornish Hens on top of the ingredients. Bake for 60 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 165°F.
      Remove from the
      Air Fryer Cornish Hen in baking dish

    Notes

    *** Leftover Air Fryer Cornish Hens will last up to 4 days in the fridge or 1-3 months in the freezer.
    *** Calories are estimated per serving. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4PeopleCalories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 27gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 124mgSodium: 476mgPotassium: 6952mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 11mg
    Making this recipe?Mention @MSavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @SavoryThoughts or tag #SavoryThoughts!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      February 08, 2022 at 7:11 am

      5 stars
      These Cornish hens look incredible and packed with so much flavor! I love that golden, crispy skin.

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        February 08, 2022 at 9:39 pm

        Thank you so much, Tara!

        Reply
    2. Kristen

      February 08, 2022 at 7:00 am

      5 stars
      I made this for family and it was a real winner! Will definitely make again. Thank you. 🙂

      Reply
    3. Natalie

      February 08, 2022 at 5:43 am

      5 stars
      Looks so delicious! Would never guess how easy it is to make!

      Reply
    4. Sara Welch

      February 08, 2022 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      Another air fryer favorite! Turned out perfectly juicy and flavorful; my whole family loved it!

      Reply
    5. Andrea

      February 08, 2022 at 2:41 am

      5 stars
      Love how easily these hens come together. They look and sound amazing!

      Reply
    6. Michelle

      December 21, 2020 at 12:43 am

      5 stars
      Air frying cornish hens are way easier to do, perfect size birds to serve for my small family this holiday!

      Reply
      • Mirlene

        December 21, 2020 at 11:43 am

        Yes, this is exactly perfect for the holiday. Thank you, Michelle.

        Reply

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