Air Fryer Cornish Hen
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
-
Cook Time
40 mins
-
Total Time
45 mins
-
Servings
2
-
Calories
514 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Description
The recipe instructs combining dried herbs and spices with oil to create a paste that coats the Cornish hen evenly. Cooking begins breast-side down in a preheated air fryer basket at 400°F for 25 minutes, then flipping and cooking an additional 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Resting the bird for 10 minutes before slicing is essential to retain moisture.
The seasoning blend of rosemary, thyme, and sage offers aromatic, earthy notes complementing the mild flavor of the hen. Cooking in an air fryer provides a golden, crisp skin without excess oil, and flipping halfway promotes even browning and doneness.
Instructions emphasize fully thawing the hen before cooking, using safe thawing methods such as refrigeration or cold water, and avoiding room temperature or microwave thawing to prevent uneven cooking or bacterial growth.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen after removing meat from the bones. Adjust cook times based on bird size, and multiple smaller hens can be cooked together if your air fryer is large enough.
Ingredients
- 1 cornish hen 2 pounds
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon rosemary dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon sage dried
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine oil, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- Rub the seasoning mixture over the entire Cornish hen.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and preheat to 400°
- Place the bird breast side down and cook for 25 minutes
- Flip the bird over and cook for 15 minutes more, or until a meat thermometer inserted internal temperature inserted into the inner thigh reads 165°
- Remove from the air fryer and allow to rest 10 minutes before splitting or slicing.
Notes
- Ensure the Cornish hen is fully thawed before cooking; thaw in the refrigerator or cold water with frequent changes.
- Do not thaw at room temperature or in the microwave to avoid uneven thawing and bacteria growth.
- Starting the hen breast-side down helps keep breast meat moist during cooking.
- Let the cooked hen rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Adjust cooking times if your hen is larger or smaller than 2 pounds.
- You can cook two smaller hens at once in a large air fryer.
- Use crushed fresh herbs blended with oil for a more intense herb coating if desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze meat separated from bones for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 514 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1g | |
| Calories | 514kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 227mg | 76% |
| Sodium | 719mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 540mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 268IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
