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
Hope you enjoy this Cornish hen in air fryer recipe! Check out some of our reader favorites:
- 10 Best Diabetes Chicken Recipes
- 19 diabetes low carb meals you can (almost) make without a recipe
- 26 More Diabetes Low Carb Meals You Can (Almost) Make Without A Recipe
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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.
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