Air Fryer Cornish Hen

This Cornish game hen in the air fryer is a super easy recipe to make that does not require much prepping. Just season the Cornish hen and pop it in the air fryer for 20 minutes. It will come out crispy on the outside while staying moist and juicy on the inside.

Looking for a way to impress your guests? Make each of them an individual Cornish hen! They are small enough that one person can enjoy the whole hen; but, they look gorgeous individually plated. Maybe you are looking to make a holiday dinner for just yourself? A Cornish game hen in the perfect poultry to make to serve a small number of people.

What is a Cornish Hen?

Is a Cornish hen similar to a rotisserie chicken? While they do have a very similar taste and look alike, they are different. A Cornish hen is a special breed of a chicken. They are chickens butchered when they are about a month old. At this point in time, they only weight about one to two pounds. They are bred to develop large, tender breasts, which allows them to absorb a ton of flavor while remaining super moist.

Where to Buy a Cornish Hen

In my grocery store, the Cornish hens are found in the open freezer section, near the other frozen meats like turkey or ham. They do come frozen and I have not found them thawed. Remember, they are very tiny, only about one to two pounds.

How to Thaw a Cornish Hen

Before we air fry the Cornish game hen, it needs to be thaw. The fridge is the safest way to do this as you do not want to leave meat out for more than two hours.

I will typically leave the Cornish hens in the grocery bag and place them in the fridge, in case of leakage. It will take a day or two for them to thaw, then they are ready to cook.

Essential Ingredients

For my Cornish game hen in the air fryer recipe, you will of course need an air fryer. I prefer a basket type air fryer as it keeps the Cornish hens in place.

Then, of course you will need a Cornish hen, some oil and seasonings.

How many Cornish Hens do I Need?

A Cornish hen generally can feed one person. Especially a smaller one like I use. If the person if not that big of a meat eater or there is a lot of sides, you might be able to get away with two people splitting a larger bird. However, I like to have one per person.

Different Variations to the Air Fryer Cornish Hen Recipe

I make my Cornish hens with a lots of herbs, a bit of garlic and some onion. This will somewhat taste like your Thanksgiving turkey. However, you can use any variation of seasonings.

You can make your hen Mexican style, spicy, lemon pepper-y, all my choosing different seasonings. Plus, you can add different sauces or gravy to bring in some more flavors.

How to Make Cornish Hen in the Air Fryer

Make sure the Cornish hens are completely thawed. Then, pat dry.

Start by preheating the air fryer to 375 degrees. If your air fryer only has 380 degrees, that is fine too.

Rub the oil around all parts of the Cornish hen.

Combine all the seasonings in a small bowl. Then, sprinkle and rub into all parts of the Cornish hens.

Air fry for 13 minutes, breast side up. Flip the hen over, then, air fry for 6-7 minutes breast side down, or until fully cooked.

Let the hen rest for 10 minutes before cutting and enjoying.

How Long to Cook a Cornish Hen

The specific air fryer and weight of a Cornish hen will depend on how long you cook the bird.

• 1.25 pounds: 20 minutes
• 2 pounds: 30 - 40 minutes

These times are estimated with the air fryer at 375 to 380 degrees. However, I do suggest keeping a thermometer in the bird to monitor the chicken. You will need the largest part of the breast to reach 165°F.

Tips for Making a Cornish Game Hen

Depending on the size of the hen, the cooking time may vary. This recipe is for a hen of about 1.25 pounds. A larger bird will take more time while a smaller bird will take less time.

Be sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure you are fully cooking the bird, without overcooking it.

What to Serve with Cornish Hens

There are many side dishes you can serve with a Cornish hen. Try my sweet potato casserole, honey roasted carrots, air fryer baby potatoes, or maple bacon Brussels sprouts.

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Air Fryer Cornish Hen

This Cornish game hen in the air fryer is a super easy recipe to make that does not require much prepping. Just season the Cornish hen and pop it in the air fryer for 20 minutes. It will come out crispy on the outside while staying moist and juicy on the inside.