Air Fryer Cornish Game Hens Recipe

User Reviews

5.0

3 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    20 mins

  • Total Time

    1 hr

  • Servings

    4 servings

  • Calories

    575 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Air Fryer Cornish Game Hens Recipe

Juicy, flavorful, and tender meat wrapped with crispy, golden skins, these air fryer cornish game hens are so easy to make! I love how simple cornish hens are to whip up on a weeknight for dinner but also elegant enough to serve for special occasions. Have these cornish game hens air fried in 40 minutes!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 cornish game hens (2 pounds each)
  • ½ lemon cut in half
  • Oil spray

For the Butter Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

For the Oil Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
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Instructions

  1. Take cornish hens out of the fridge and place them on a large cutting board or a sheet pan. Pat them dry on all sides using paper towels and leave them out to rest.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare the butter mixture by mixing together the softened unsalted butter, fresh thyme leaves, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another small bowl, combine the oil with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
  4. Place the lemon wedges into the cavity of each of the cornish hens.
  5. Using fingers or a long spatula, gently pull the skin away from the meat. Spread the mixture under the skin of the breasts. If you have extra butter, you can add them to skin under the thighs as well.
  6. Rub the bird with the olive oil mixture until it’s evenly coated on all sides.
  7. Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the two cornish hens into the air fryer, breast side down and air fry for 25 minutes at 350°F. Flip the cornish hens over and air fry them for another 10 to 17 minutes at 400°F to crisp up the breasts. Add additional time if the skin has not crisped to your liking.
  8. Let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Equipments used:

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 575kcal (29%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 7g Monounsaturated Fat 20g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 242mg (81%) Sodium 1012mg (42%) Potassium 588mg (17%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 0.5g (1%) Vitamin A 692IU (14%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 38mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 575 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 575kcal 29%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g 41%
Monounsaturated Fat 20g 100%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 242mg 81%
Sodium 1012mg 42%
Potassium 588mg 13%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 0.5g 1%
Vitamin A 692IU 14%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 38mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

3 reviews
Excellent

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