Air Fryer Cornish Hen
This air fryer Cornish hen recipe is easy to make and a delight to serve. With hardly any work on your part, the meat comes out moist and the skin is perfectly crispy.
When I was growing up, we used to have Cornish hens as a treat meal. The thing I loved about it is we would each get half a hen to eat. All . . . to . . . ourselves.
That itself was a treat. There were five of us children and although there was usually a great amount of food on our table, when we were having a poultry dish, I felt like I had to fight over getting a thigh or some dark meat. I’m not a chicken breast lover.
That’s why I love this recipe. The breast meat on these cute little birds comes out perfectly moist in the air fryer.
I love my air fryer.
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Helpful tips
- I’ve used a few different air fryers; the oven type, the air fryer lid for my instant pot and the one that currently has my heart: the instant Vortex pro. The IVP is my current favorite because in my opinion, it is the easiest one to use and to clean.
- The temperature and timing of the recipe is the same for oven or basket types of air fryers. But if you have the basket type, make sure the hens aren’t touching each other or just barely touching.
- In recent years, experts have changed their recommendation on whether to wash poultry before you cook it. They now say that washing the bird increases the chances of getting food poisoning and of cross contaminating other things, like tools, surfaces and utensils in the kitchen. Here are two websites that talk about it.
- What I do is unwrap the chicken, drain the liquid straight down the drain and pat the bird dry with a paper towel, both inside and out.
- Most Cornish hens come in different sizes and the average weight is around 1 1/2 pounds per bird. My hens were two different sizes but they were cooked the same amount of time and both turned out great.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Cornish hens – I’ve only seen them come in packages of two and I’ve always found them in the frozen aisle at the grocery store. You may have to ask your store’s courtesy desk where to find them.
- Olive oil – Extra virgin. I’m sure other oils would work, but EVOO is my go to oil.
- Tarragon – dried, organic.
- Smoked paprika – I enjoy the hint of smokey flavor but you can use regular paprika if you prefer.
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
How to make air fryer Cornish hen
Pre-step
Take out your air fryer, a small mixing bowl, and a whisk.
Step one
Carefully unwrap, drain and pat the hens dry with a paper towel, both inside and out.
Step two
In a small mixing bowl, add the tarragon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. (A)
Step three
Use a whisk to combine the ingredients together. (B)
Step three
Pour a little olive oil into your hand and rub the oil all over the front and back of the Cornish hens.
Step four
Sprinkle the spice mixture over both the front and backs of the birds. Lay them breast side down on the air fryer tray or basket. Try not to let the birds touch. (C)
Step five
Pre-heat the air fryer at 400, and once it beeps, lower the temperature to 370 and place the birds in the fryer. Set the timer for 40 minutes.
Step six
Flip the hens at the 30 minute mark (D) and continue cooking until the timer beeps.
Step seven
Use a thermometer (I recommend this digital thermometer) to make sure the hens are cooked all the way through. The temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit. I test the thickest part of the chicken thigh.
Don’t be afraid to add extra time if the temperature isn’t right, as all hens are different sizes.
Step eight
Let the birds rest for 10 minutes before cutting into them.
I decided to serve these Cornish hens with some oven roasted potatoes, peas and lentils.
I also cut the hens in half the way my folks did before I plate them.
It takes me back to my childhood.
I hope you enjoyed this air fryer Cornish hen recipe. Christopher and I did. 🙂
Other poultry dishes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens (each one will be around 1.5 pounds)
- olive oil (extra virgin – to coat the birds)
- 2 teaspoons tarragon (dried)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular if you prefer)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- .25 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Unpackage hens over the sink and pour juices down the drain. Pat dry inside and out with paper towels
- In a small mixing bowl, add tarragon, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Mix together with a whisk until combined. You will have extra rub, so don't stress.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and set the timer for 40 minutes.
- Pour a small amount of olive oil on your hand and rub both the birds to coat the skin, front and back.
- Hold one of the birds in one hand and scoop up some of the rub with your other and sprinkle it over the hen on all sides. Repeat with the other hen and place them both on the air fryer rack breast side down.
- Once the airfryer beeps to tell you to add the food, place the rack in the air fryer. Turn the temperature down to 370.
- After 30 minutes are up, flip the birds breast side up and continue cooking for the 10 minutes still on the timer. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees F, if it needs more time add 3 minutes.
- Let the birds rest for 10 minutes before cutting into them.
- Serve
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- I’ve used a few different air fryers. The oven type, the air fryer lid for my instant pot and the one that currently has my heart. The instant Vortex pro. The IVP is my current favorite because in my opinion, it is the easiest one to use and clean up is a dream.
- The IVP is considered an oven type of air fryer, so the directions is for that, but if you have the basket type, make sure the hens aren’t touching each other or just barely touching.
- They’ve changed their recommendation on whether to wash poultry before you cook it. They now say that washing the bird increases the chances of getting food poisoning and of cross contaminating other things, like tools, surfaces and utensils in the kitchen. Here are two websites that talk about it.
- What I do is unwrap the chicken, drain the liquid straight down the drain and pat the bird dry with a paper towel, both inside and out.
- The hens come in different sizes and the average weight is around 1 1/2 pounds per bird. My hens were two different sizes but they were cooked the same amount of time and both turned out great.
