Cornish hen in the air fryer is so juicy and tender! You will love the delicious flavor and ease of preparation. The air fryer produces a golden crispy skin which makes for a great presentation. Perfect for special occasions or family dinners.
Air frying is the perfect way to cook a cornish hen! My recipe makes them taste like mini rotisserie chickens- all the flavor and minimal hassle. Cornish hens are low in fat and low carb and make a great diabetes friendly main dish.
Be sure to review the owners manual for your air fryer for detailed info regarding specific instructions on how to cook poultry. Also, keep a meat thermometer handy so you can make sure the proper cooking temp has been reached for food safety.
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What is a cornish hen?
The USDA states that Cornish game hen is a variety of broiler chicken, produced from 2 breeds of chicken - the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock. They generally weigh less than 2 pounds. Even though "game hen" is part of the name, this breed is not considered a game bird and may be either male or female.
Why this recipe works:
- We are using Cornish hens which take less time to cook than a whole chicken.
- Olive oil and rotisserie seasoning give a delicious "rotisserie chicken" flavor.
- The air fryer produces a crispy, golden skin for a beautiful presentation.
Another huge plus for this recipe: You control the seasoning which helps if you follow a lower sodium diet. Grocery store rotisserie chickens are notoriously high in fat and sodium making them off limits on a low sodium diet. Here's a way to get that delicious rotisserie chicken and still keep sodium levels in check!
Recipe main ingredients:
- Cornish hens- easy to find at most grocery stores. Look for them in the freezer case. Cornish hens are usually priced higher than chickens.
- Olive Oil- use you favorite brand or any cooking oil will also work.
- Rotisserie seasoning- choose your favorite brand. Use a lower sodium type if you need to cut back on salt.
How to make this recipe step by step:
- Start by coating the hens in oil then seasoning. (see photo below)
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place the hens in the air fryer basket breast down. (see photo below)
- After 25 minutes, carefully turn the hens over and finish cooking until meat thermometer registers 165 degrees in the thickest part of thigh. (see photo below)
- Carefully remove hens from air fryer and allow to set 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute ensuring a moist finished product. (see photo below)
Expert tips:
- Be sure to fully coat the hens with oil and seasoning for flavor in each bite.
- Turn the hens carefully so as not to tear the skin.
- Remember to preheat your air fryer for best results.
- Refer to your air fryer owner's manual for more specific instructions.
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Frequently asked questions
One serving for big appetites or half the Cornish hen for 2 servings. For this recipe a serving is ½ a Cornish hen.
Here are a few side dishes that will pair perfectly with this recipe: Tex-Mex Keto Squash Casserole, Healthy Sweet Potato Fries,Low Carb Broccoli Salad
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Recipe
Air Fryer Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon rotisserie seasoning
- 2 cornish game hens
Instructions
- Coat the hens in olive oil then rub with rotisserie seasoning to cover completely.
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees.
- Place hens in air fryer breast down and set timer for 25 minutes.
- Carefully flip hens and continue cooking about 7-10 minutes or until meat thermometer placed in thickest part of thigh registers 165 degrees.
- Carefully remove hens from air fryer and allow to set 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Expert tips
- Be sure to fully coat the hens with oil and seasoning for flavor in each bite.
- Turn the hens carefully so as not to tear the skin.
- Remember to preheat your air fryer for best results.
- Refer to your air fryer owner's manual for more specific instructions.
Roger Sargent says
I do the following: Rince the Hen, make a brine of salt and Turbinado sugar equal parts 1/3 cups each.
After several hours or over night in the refrigerator. Remove the hen from brine. Pat dry and return to the refrigerator to air dry.
Season to your taste. Cook breast side down for 20 minutes and turn over to finish cooking till internal temperature is 155. After resting, the temperature will be 165
Enjoy.