Easy Instant Pot Cornish Hen
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
18 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
244 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Easy Instant Pot Cornish Hen
Description
The recipe involves seasoning the Cornish hen with herbs, spices, and a blend of paprika, onion, thyme, and garlic powder, along with lemon zest and fresh rosemary. Cooking in the Instant Pot with water and a trivet locks in moisture and tenderness, producing juicy meat in about 20 minutes under high pressure. A natural pressure release is followed by a quick release for safety.
To achieve a crispy exterior, the hen is finished either in an air fryer lid attachment or under a broiler, resulting in a golden-brown skin. The recipe provides for making a gravy from softened butter, flour, and pan juices, enriching the meal and complementing optional potato sides.
This dish is suited for a flavorful and convenient roast hen meal with minimal active cooking time. It pairs well with roasted or steamed vegetables and simple starches. The recipe highlights careful seasoning and a two-step cooking process for tender meat and crispy skin.
Notes recommend using a meat thermometer to confirm doneness at 165°F (74°C). The recipe also suggests adding extra vegetables like carrots or onions during cooking for added flavor. Gravy thickness can be adjusted by varying butter and flour quantities. For best results, avoid opening the Instant Pot before pressure is fully released.
Ingredients
Instant Pot Cornish Hen Ingredients:
- 2 lb cornish hen
- 1 Tbsp creole seasoning
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or no-calorie cooking spray
- 1 cup water for cooking
Instant Pot Cornish Hen and Gravy Ingredients:
- 2 lb cornish hen
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 Tbsp butter softened
- lemon zest of 1
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp thyme dried
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ onion sliced, small
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 lemon cut in eighths, divided in half, small
- 3 rosemary sprigs, fresh
- ⅓ cup water
- 4 red potato cut in half (optional, small
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp butter softened
Instructions
Make it in the Instant Pot:
- Rub the seasoning mix all over the Cornish hen.
- Pour water into Instant Pot insert, add the trivet and place hen on the trivet.
- Place the lid on and turn valve to the sealing position. Set to pressure cook / manual cook on high pressure for 20 mins.
- When done allow for a natural pressure release for 5 mins, then perform a quick pressure release.
- To finish in the Instant Pot, remove the hen, drain the water, and put Cornish hen back in.
- If using your Duo Crisp, spray the Cornish hen with oil. Place the air fryer lid on the Duo Crisp and then air fry at 400F / 204C for 8-10 mins. Then open the lid, turn the hen over, spray with oil, place the air fryer lid back on, and air fry for another 8-10 mins.
- If using the broiler to finish, set your broiler to 400F / 204C and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.
Make it in the Instant Pot: with gravy
- Dry the Cornish hen with paper towels.
- In a medium bowl, mix butter with your lemon zest, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and dried thyme.
- Rub the outside and under the skin of the hen with the butter mixture. Add some of the butter mixture to the inside of the cavity of the hen as well.
- Stuff half of the lemon wedges into the cavity along with the fresh rosemary.
- Turn the Instant Pot Saute function on, when the display reads “hot”, add olive oil.
- Once the oil is simmering, add the hen to the pot with the breast side down and cook for 3 mins undisturbed. Flip the Instant Pot Cornish Hen over and brown the other side for about 3 mins as well. Once both sides have been browned, remove the hen and set aside on a plate.
- Add the onion and garlic to the Instant Pot insert and cook for a few mins, stirring occasionally.
- Add in water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot.
- Cancel the Saute function and add the hen back to the pot with the breast side up.
- Add in your potatoes. Put the lid on and turn the release valve to the sealing position.
- Pressure cook for 12 mins on High Pressure and use a Natural Pressure Release for 10 mins once done cooking to release the remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and use tongs to take out the hen and place it on a baking sheet. Brush the hen with the melted butter.
- To finish, set the broiler to 400F / 204C, and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.
- To make the gravy, turn the pot on to sauté again. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion and garlic from the drippings.
- Combine flour and butter to make a ball.
- Add butter ball to the simmering drippings and stir well until the gravy thickens.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the hen's internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) before serving.
- Add extra vegetables such as carrots or onions to cook alongside the hen for a complete meal.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, increase butter and flour to 3 tablespoons each.
- Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes after cooking before performing a quick pressure release.
- Use the air fryer lid or broiler to achieve crispy, golden skin after pressure cooking.
- Cooking times do not include time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure or to release pressure fully.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 244 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 244kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 115mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 71mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 280mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 383IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 12mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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