Air Fryer Cornish Hen

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Learn how to cook Air Fryer Cornish Hen. Hello meat lovers; I am back with a super juicy and crispy meat dish that will surely leave everyone craving more. A perfect meal for any gathering. You can serve it with pride and enjoy it anywhere, anytime. It's a full crispy hen that you can serve by making parts of it or as a whole to a more heavy diet person.

I will share some super cool tips and tricks for cooking Air Fryer Cornish Hen that will help you get crispy, tender, and juicy meat every time. No extra ingredients, this recipe requires only basic ingredients that every kitchen already has... You can use fresh or frozen chicken; the recipe will work perfectly with both.

So what is Cornish Hen? If a hen is slaughtered before its average age, then it's called Cornish Hen. Its weight is always less than 2 pounds. Mainly a cornish hen weighs to approx 1 pound more or less. You can cook cornish hens quickly because of their small size. Serve it as a whole or in pieces.

They are also known as Cornish Game Hens or Rock Cornish Game Hens. But actually, this is a delicious miniature hen that we will cook in Air Fryer.

Why Air Fryer Cornish Hen?

I love Air Fryer Cooking for many reasons:

Cook in less time.
Healthier cooking than deep frying,
Low oil usage.
Perfect crispness every time.

Air Fryer cooks food with hot air, and we can easily maintain the optimal temperature for each dish. There is no chance of burning or soggy food results. If you don't have one, buy it now.

How To Cook Air Fryer Cornish Hen?

If you are using a frozen cornish hen, then you have to thaw it before cooking. There are multiple ways to thaw it:

The first method is super safe, as you can thaw your chicken in the fridge. The fridge will help thaw the hen completely and stop any bacterial growth, Remove the frozen meat from the freezer and thaw it in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
You can also thaw your chicken with fresh water. Put the packaged chicken in a large bowl, fill the bowl with fresh water, and thaw the chicken completely.

Ingredients

Now after thawing, our chicken is ready; let's start with the ingredients.

Cornish Hen - 1 (2 lbs)
Garlic Powder - 1 teaspoon
Dry Thyme - 1/2 teaspoon
Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon
Dry Rosemary - 1/2 teaspoon
Salt and Pepper to taste
Paprika - 1 teaspoon
Olive or Avocado oil - 1 tablespoon

Equipment

Air Fryer
Mixing bowl

Step By Step Guide: How To Cook Cornish Hens In Air Fryer

Preheating & Early Prep

Before we get started, let's preheat the air fryer to 380ºF. Give it about 5 minutes to reach the perfect temperature.
In a mixing bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, rosemary, and thyme, and set the bowl aside.

Now, let's take a moment to dry off our cornish hen. Use a paper towel to gently pat it dry, ensuring it's nice and clean.

Next, rub olive oil all over the hen, making sure to coat every nook and cranny.

Seasoning Cornish Hen

Sprinkle some salt and pepper to your taste inside and outside the hen. Let the flavors work their magic.
Remember that delightful spice blend we made earlier? Now's the time to use it! Take it and rub it all over the cornish hen, inside and out.

Now, carefully place our cornish game hen in the air fryer basket.

Cooking The Cornish Hen In The Air Fryer

Set the air fryer to 380ºF and cook the hen for 20 minutes, breast side down. Then, flip it over and cook for an additional 10 minutes with the breast side up. We want it to reach a safe internal temperature of 165ºF.

Once our lovely hen is cooked perfectly, let it rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making hen even more soft and juicy.

Finally, it's time to enjoy the tender and juicy outcome! Slice the Cornish hen with care or serve it as a whole.

Tips For Great Taste & Success

Use an instant meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to ensure juicy results.
Refrigerate the cornish hen after seasoning it in advance until ready to cook.
If you're cooking two 2 lbs hens, double the seasoning and keep the same cooking time.
Adjust the cooking time for smaller hens and always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

Serving Suggestions Or Side Dishes To Serve With Cornish Hen

Once your Air Fried Cornish hen is perfectly cooked, it's time to serve it up! Here are some delicious serving ideas:

Pair it with roasted veggies like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or potatoes for a tasty and well-rounded meal.
Serve it alongside southwest corn salad for a lighter option that adds a refreshing touch.
Enjoy Cornish Hen with frozen sweet potato fries or fluffy rice for a satisfying and comforting combination.
Use a homemade gravy or flavorful sauce to enhance the taste and add moisture to every bite.

Now, sit back and enjoy your mouthwatering Air Fried Cornish hen with your chosen combination.

Flavorful Variations For Cornish Hen In Air Fryer

Enhance your Air Fryer Cornish Hen with delicious variations. Try these ideas:

Asian glaze: Make a glaze with soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and rice vinegar. Brush it on the hen during the last minutes of cooking for a sweet Asian twist.

Mediterranean herbs: Season the hen with dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It will infuse the meat with fragrant and zesty flavors.

Lemon herb butter: You can make tangy herb-infused butter with softened butter, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped fresh herbs like parsley and basil. Now, gently spread it under the hen's skin before air frying for delicious results.

Barbecue glaze: You can also create a finger-licking glaze by combining ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, minced onion, and liquid smoke. Brush it on the hen during the final minutes of cooking for a smoky and sweet finish.

These variations will take your Air Fryer Cornish Hen to new levels of flavor and taste.

How To Store Air Fryer Cornish Hen Leftovers?

After cooking, you can store any leftovers of your air fried cornish hens in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or you can freeze them for later enjoyment for 3 months.

Conclusion

Air fryer Cornish hen is a simple and delightful dish. It combines succulent hen with crispy skin, thanks to air frying. Enjoy it alone, or create flavorful combinations by using our serving suggestions. Just follow the steps in this article to create a mouthwatering Cornish hen with flavorful crispy skin.

Enjoy the convenience and health benefits of air frying as you savor this delicious meal. Happy Eating!

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FAQ's

How Long To Cook Cornish Hens In Air Fryer?
Set the air fryer to 380ºF and let the cornish hen cook for 20 minutes, breast side down. Then, flip it over and cook for an additional 10 minutes with the breast side up.

What You Can Serve With Cornish Hens?
You can serve cornish hens alongside any green salad for a lighter option or with frozen sweet potato fries for a satisfying and comforting combination.

How To Cook Cornish Hens In Air Fryer?
Place cornish game hen in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 380ºF and let the hen cook for 20 minutes, breast side down. Then, flip it over and cook for an additional 10 minutes with the breast side up. Once it's cooked perfectly, let it rest for 10 minutes. Enjoy

Can I Cook Frozen Cornish Hen In Air Fryer?
Yes, but it is recommended to thaw the cornish hen before cooking. Then heat the air fryer to 380ºF and let the cornish hen cook for 20 minutes. Then, flip it over and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove the cornish hen from the air fryer basket and enjoy.

How To Reheat Cornish Hen Leftovers?
It's very easy to reheat the cornish hen leftovers. Place your leftovers in the air fryer basket and reheat them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes. They are ready to serve again. Enjoy.