Usually available in the freezer section of grocery stores during the winter months, these little birds cook faster than regular chicken. Thanks to their small size, they are an ideal entree for any special occasion (including any holiday dinner) or a humble but delicious weeknight meal.
Oil: Melted butter is a decadent and easy substitute for olive oil in this air fryer hen dish. Use any of your favorite seasonings: We used simple seasoning in the recipe card below. However, you can use poultry seasoning to give them a classic, peppery flavor. Or, bring out your chicken’s tender, earthy taste by sprinkling it with Italian seasoning. You can also top your chicken with lemon zest to give it a simple yet sophisticated brightness. Fresh herbs: Nothing balances the succulent savoriness of air-fried cornish hen like a dusting of fresh herbs. Rosemary, thyme, and sage are my favorite additions to this recipe.
I do not recommend thawing game hens at room temperature, as this process may result in the growth of harmful bacteria.
How to Air Fry Cornish Hens?
You won’t believe how effortless it is to cook cornish hens in an air fryer. With only eight steps, these foolproof instructions will have even beginner chefs preparing mouthwatering chicken. I recommend cooking air fryer cornish game hens at 350 degrees F. It takes about 35-37 minutes to cook two 1¼-pound hens at this temperature. However, please be aware that how long you cook the meat depends on the size of the birds. It may take up to 40 minutes to air fry a 2-pound game hen, and you may have to cook larger birds one at a time if the entire hen doesn’t fit in the air fryer basket. I suggest you check the meat’s temperature at the 35-minute mark to avoid overcooking. No matter what, the thickest part of your bird should reach 165 degrees F. before serving.
Storing Leftovers:
Be sure to bring cooked cornish game hens to room temperature and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
How to Reheat Cornish Hen?
The best part about cooking cornish game hens in the air fryer is that you can easily reheat them with one of the two easy methods listed below. So, try one of the methods below and say goodbye to food waste and hello to easy meal prep!
In the air fryer: To reheat cornish game hens in an air fryer, preheat the fryer to 400 degrees and cook the hens for 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the meat to avoid overcooking, and flip the birds halfway through the reheating process. In the oven: If you don’t want to reheat them in the air fryer, you can reheat them in the oven instead. Set the oven to 350 degrees F., place the chicken in a baking dish, and add a few tablespoons of water to keep the meat moist. It should take about 10 minutes in the oven for the hen to warm up.
Thoroughly dry the cornish chicken: Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin of your hens before putting them in the air fryer. Removing as much liquid as possible will ensure that your chickens come out with perfectly crispy skin. Fully thaw the chicken: I highly recommend thoroughly thawing the cornish hens before placing them in the air fryer. Fully thawing the meat will ensure that it cooks evenly in the air fryer, giving you a succulent interior and a crisp exterior. Breast side down: When you add your meat to the air fryer, position the cornish hens breast side down in the basket. The space within air fryers tends to be small, so this breast-down position will protect your chickens’ breast meat from overcooking. Tie the legs: Tying the legs of your miniature chickens is an optional step. However, trussing your hens with kitchen twine will give your meal an Instagram-worthy presentation and allow easy serving. Let them rest: Be sure to let the meat rest for ten minutes before serving. This resting time allows the meat to reabsorb its juices, resulting in succulent, flavorful chicken.
Special occasion: If you are serving this dish for your holiday meal, I would recommend serving it with Maple Cranberry Sauce, Chestnut Soup, and Butternut Squash Salad. Weeknight meal: Make it a quick and easy meal with my Baked Goat Cheese Salad and Lemon Herb Quinoa.
However, if you still want to cook them frozen, we recommend keeping a close eye on them as they air fry. To air fry a frozen cornish hen: The timing depends on the size of your birds. We recommend that you check on them every 15 minutes and rotate them to ensure even air frying.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Also Like
If you love this recipe for roasted cornish hen in an air fryer, your tastebuds will go wild for these other air fryer recipes. Fast, easy, and flavorful, these dishes will complete any menu.
Corn on The Cob In Air Fryer Asparagus in the Air Fryer Green Beans in Air Fryer Need more inspiration? Check out all our Air Fryer recipes.
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