Juicy, crispy Air Fryer Cornish Hen in below an hour! Excellent for weeknight dinners—simple to prep, stuffed with taste, and no oven required.
Cornish Hen within the Air Fryer
This Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe makes it simple to get pleasure from a superbly roasted fowl—juicy inside, crispy exterior, and executed in below an hour. My air fryer recipes are constantly in style, which I get as a result of it’s such a time saver within the kitchen for busy weeknights! I created this recipe for 2 however when you have a bigger air fryer basket (mine is 8 quarts) you’ll be able to simply match two hens in it for 4 individuals! The hens are seasoned with easy herbs and spices, making it excellent for weeknight dinners and even date nights, with out heating up the kitchen. I serve this with a easy salad, like my panzanella salad to make it a meal. In case you can’t discover Cornish hens, strive my Buttermilk Air Fryer Entire Hen or my traditional Entire Roasted Hen (made within the oven).
Components You’ll Want
In addition to the Cornish hen, the opposite substances are all pantry staples. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Cornish Sport Hens are a pleasant various to an entire rooster for those who’re solely cooking for one or two individuals.
- Olive Oil is used to create a rub for the rooster, which provides moisture and taste.
- Herbs: Chop contemporary thyme and rosemary. You can too use dried herbs or a combine, akin to Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper. You can use any seasoning you want, akin to paprika or poultry seasoning.
- Lemon: Stuff the hen with lemon wedges to infuse it with citrus taste.
The best way to Air Fry a Cornish Hen
In case you’re hen is frozen, thaw it for twenty-four to 36 hours within the fridge. In case you’re brief on time, let it sit in chilly water till thawed, altering out the water each half-hour. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Prep the Cornish Hen: Pat the skin of the rooster dry with paper towels to make sure the pores and skin will get crispy. To dry the within, stand the fowl up on a baking sheet so the liquid drains from the cavity.
- Make the Rub: Mix the olive oil, half of the salt, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.
- Season the Hen: Rub the paste throughout and put the lemons inside. Tie the legs with kitchen twine to make it simpler to get the hen within the air fryer (elective). Let the rooster relaxation for half-hour at room temperature or refrigerate uncovered in a single day. The longer you allow it, the extra taste it’ll develop.
- How Lengthy to Air Fry a Cornish Hen: Spray the air fryer basket with oil or use parchment and put the rooster inside. Air fry at 380°F for 20 minutes on both sides*
- Relaxation: Take away the hen from the air fryer basket and let it relaxation for 10 minutes earlier than slicing, which can forestall the juices from operating out.
*Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest a part of the thigh, making certain you don’t contact the bones. When it reads 165°F, it’s suitable for eating.
No air fryer? No drawback!
Bake the Cornish recreation hen at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
FAQ
Is a Cornish hen only a small rooster?
Sure, Cornish hens, also referred to as Cornish recreation hens, are small, younger hybrid chickens that weigh lower than 2 kilos. They’re additionally leaner than common chickens. Their smaller dimension makes them preferrred for air frying, however when you have a bigger basket (roughly 8 quarts), you’ll be able to match 2 at a time.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Roasted rooster is a traditional. Listed here are a few of my favourite aspect dishes that may be scrumptious with it:
Storage
- Refrigerate the Cornish recreation hen for as much as 4 days.
- Freezer: Take away the rooster from the bones and freeze it in an hermetic container for 3 months.
- The best way to Reheat: Thaw the rooster within the fridge, and eat it chilly or microwave it till heat. It’d be nice added to salads, soups, or grain bowls.
- Meal Prep Tip: In case you’re air fryer is bigger, double the recipe and cook dinner 2 hens on the identical time.
- Bonus Tip: Save the carcass and use it to make home made rooster inventory.
Extra Air Fryer Hen Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts, take a look at my Hen Recipes and Air Fryer Recipes collections, plus these 5 scrumptious air fryer rooster recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: servings
Serving Dimension: 1 /2 hen, pores and skin eliminated
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Dry off your cornish hen with paper towels. Make sure that the hen is dry, together with the within. It helps to prop them up initially so the liquid drains from the cavity.
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Put together the paste in a small bowl. Use all the pieces aside from ¼ teaspoon of the salt and the lemon. Mix all substances and create your paste and put aside.
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Use the ¼ teaspoon of reserved salt to season the cavity of the hen. Coat the hen with the herb seasoning throughout and stuff every cavity with the lemon items. Tie the legs with kitchen twine.
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Let the hen relaxation for half-hour or as much as in a single day, uncovered within the fridge.
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Spray your air fryer basket calmly with oil and set the hen within the air fryer basket, breast aspect down. Air fry 380°F levels for 20 minutes. Flip the hens over fastidiously and cook dinner for an additional 20 minutes.
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Allow them to stand 10 minutes earlier than carving.
Final Step:
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In case your air fryer basket is giant sufficient, you may make 2 on the identical time by doubling the recipe.
No Air Fryer? No Downside
Bake the Cornish recreation hen at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
Serving: 1 /2 hen, pores and skin eliminated, Energy: 434.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 4 g, Protein: 68.5 g, Fats: 15 g, Saturated Fats: 3.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 309.5 mg, Sodium: 653 mg, Fiber: 1.5 g, Sugar: 0.5 g