This 30 Minute Air Fryer Cornish Hen is super tender and juicy, yet incredibly fast for a weeknight meal! Once you have this, it will quickly become a family favorite.
I could not believe how “hands off” this recipe is.
I didn’t have to heat up the house by turning on the oven, or spending time with the stove top.
Instead, this is simply add-to-air-fryer and virtually forget about it! Try to think of those nights when you need hands off dinner! This is it!
This recipe is the perfect match for serving with mashed potatoes, mashed rutabagas or mashed cauliflower.
🍽️ Why This Recipe Works
Easy | This is such a simple and easy recipe for just about everyone to make.
Hands Off | This is a fantastic recipe when you need one that is totally hands off once you put a quick rub.
Simply Delicious | This is one of those simple, yet delicious meals that you can go back to time and time again and never get tired of it.
🍗 Ingredients
Cornish Hen – This is pretty easy as it is the star of the show here. You will find these little birds in the poultry section of the grocery store. You may also find them in the freezer section by beef liver and turkey.
Herb Mix – I used a combination of dried chives and herbs de Provence, but use what you have available in your pantry.
⏲️ Equipment and Tools
Air Fryer | We used this in both our Instant Vortex 7 in 1 and in our Ninja Foodi basket and it works out great in both machines. If you have a Cosori, Nuwave, PowerXL or Phillips, the instructions will work the same. With all AF, they all are calibrated slightly different and so check the timing early the first time you cook with any new recipe.
Tongs | It makes it a lot easier to turn over the hens and to remove from the basket by using tongs that can be inserted into the cavity to flip.
🍴 Instructions
This is extremely easy.
Step One: Cut the wrapping away from the hen and remove the bag that has the neck and liver. Set them aside, as we’ll use them later. Pat dry.
There are two options for preparing the hen:
Option One: Add a couple of small pads of butter between the skin and the meat on the breast in order to help the skin brown and crisp up. A couple of spritzes of olive oil does the trick too.
Option Two: Season the hen with the following:
- Poultry Seasoning – Rub the outside of the hen with a liberal amount of poultry seasoning. Make sure to add some to the cavity of the bird as well.
- Fresh Herbs – Grind fresh rosemary, thyme and sage to create a dry rub. Unfortunately, it is still winter here, and the fresh herbs weren’t available without spending more money than I wanted at the store.
- Lemon and Vegetables – Stuff the inside of the bird with a sliced lemon and fresh carrots and celery. Note that you may need to cook the bird for a few extra minutes if the cavity is filled. Also, discard the stuffing after the cornish hen is cooked. It is just meant to provide additional flavoring to the hen.
- Olive Oil and Dry Rub – I sprayed the skin with a bit of olive oil and then applied my favorite dry rub, Dizzy Pig’s Coarse Ground Dizzy Dust. I put that seasoning on almost everything! It is sooo good!
- Chives and Herbs de Provence – This is the mix I used in the photos above.
Step Two: Turn the air fryer to 390 degrees on AIR FRY function and pre heat it. It takes three or four minutes for it to come up to temperature. When it is at full temp, it will beep.
Step Three: Set the timer for 30 minutes and add the cornish hen, breast side up. I placed mine on the lower shelf, right above the drip tray.
After 15 minutes, carefully remove the tray and turn the hen over. I used two forks or a set a tongs to help this. Be careful, as this is very hot, and there will be drippings.
Tip: I use a ¼ sheet pan to rest the air fryer shelf on. I line it up to the front of the air fryer and then pull the shelf with the Cornish hen straight on to it. It eliminates any drips on the door or my floor.
Using the sheet pan trick, remove the hen and test the internal temperature. It should be a minimum of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius). If not, add it back to the air fryer for a few more minutes.
🍴Optional Air Fryer Neck and Giblets
With about 12 minutes left, add the neck and giblets to the air fryer tray. I made the mistake the first time I made them by adding them at the very beginning of the cook, but they were rock-hard and over cooked by the time the hen was done. The second time, I added them with 12-14 minutes left and they were thoroughly cooked and oh-so delicious.
🌿 Variations – Great Herb Flavors to Try
If you want to try out different combinations of herbs that you have in your spice cabinet, here are a few great combinations to start with right now!
Tip – If you aren’t a Herbs de Provence lover, that’s ok. Mix up a couple of herbs from your cabinet together using the same ratios and use that as a rub! I want you to learn to use your spice cabinet and mix up herbs to create amazing flavors!
- Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Marjoram
- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Parsley
- Rosemary and Thyme
- Thyme, Rosemary, Tarragon and Marjoram
- Sage, Oregano, Parsley
- Sage, Marjoram and Parsley
- Oregano, Basil, Parsley and Thyme
Meal Prep Options
I bet you won’t spend more than five minutes preparing the bird for the air fryer. Seriously, it is that fast!
Meal prep this the night before by taking the hen out of the packaging, adding the pads of butter or rubbing it with any seasonings. Then, place it in the fridge until you are ready to start. If you choose to do this, it is simply transferring the hen from the refrigerator to the Air Fryer. You have your evening free.
❗ Expert Tips
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If you do, it slows down the time it takes to cook, reduces the air flow, and the food won’t be as crispy.
Try using poultry or turkey tongs when removing from the machine. This helps keep the presentation gorgeous when you are serving for special occasions and guests.
Don’t forget to spray with olive oil or rub with melted butter. This helps make sure the exterior is crispy. You don’t have to do this with bacon or country style ribs that are fatty on their own.
Always remember to start at the lowest time for any recipe as all machines are calibrated differently. For this one, start the total time at 20-25 minutes so you can check to see how it’s going for the first time then you know for the second time exactly what it is for YOUR MACHINE.
Always rinse and dry off the bird after taking it out the packaging before applying EVOO or butter. This helps ensure you get the crispiest skin and exterior.
Always remember to remove the neck and giblets from the internal part.
One hen serves two people.
If cooking one hen at a time, it will cook FASTER than if placing two hens in the air fryer as there is more air flow. If you can only fit one at a time, do that so that you end up with a better meal than forcing two hens into a machine that struggles.
Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot Duo Crisp: If you own either of these devices, cook the same way just use your crisping lid for the cornish hens.
Recipe FAQ
I cut the cornish hen in half using a sturdy kitchen knife. The bones are very soft, so it is easy to do. To freeze them, I add it to a freezer safe tupperware container. It stays good for several weeks.
Alternatively, I have placed the whole cornish hen in a freezer bag after it cooled. If I think it will stay frozen for more than two weeks before I plan to use it, I will wrap it with Saran or Cling Wrap and then put it in the freezer bag. It helps to ward off the freezer burn.
USDA suggests not to freeze for longer than three months.
It tastes just like chicken. The benefit of these birds is that they are a much smaller species which will fit easily in the air fryer and is better for serving a small family.
Always cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Always cook for the temperature NOT THE TIME.
Continue cooking in five minute increments. This can be caused by the hens being larger than the basket or trays which can stop the air flow and reduce the heat cooking the hens. If using a basket, turn the hens over. If using a tray version, you are most likely only using one tray which will be at the bottom.
The 390 will yield a crispier skin. All of the options work and will work beautifully. If you use 365-375, the skin will be a little softer. The meat is still juicy and tender in all of the options. Never overcook. Cook until the internal temperature is 165 degrees, and don’t rely on the time.
Two days in the refrigerator works great for these small birds.
Yes, but we recommend thawing in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or using the quick thaw method below. If you have to cook these from frozen, place the bird in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Flip it over and continue cooking for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temp is 165 degrees. The skin will be softer using this method. The last 10-15 minutes, consider increasing the temperature to 390 degrees to make the exterior crispy…while keeping an eye on the internal temp.
Place the frozen hens in a big bowl of cold water and allow them to soak for 30 minutes and then change out the water again. Continue to do this for 1 -1.5 hours or 30 minutes per pound, according to Perdue Farms.
🥦 Serving Options
Serve these up with some nice sides for an amazing weeknight dinner that requires no attention.
Using Leftovers
If you have a little bit of meat left over, use it in:
🍲 Related Recipes
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Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 each Cornish Hen with the packet of the neck and giblets removed
Butter Option
- 2 tbsp Butter sliced
Herb Rub Option
- 2 tbsp Chives dried
- ¼ cup Herbs de Provence
Instructions
Prepare the Cornish Hen
- Remove the bag with the neck, liver and giblets from the cavity of the hen. Set aside.
Butter Option
- Work your fingers between the skin and the meat of the bird to make room for the two pads of butter.
Herb Rub Option
- Rinse and dry off the cornish hen.
- Combine the Herbs de Provence and freeze dried chives in a bowl and stir.
- Spray the cornish hen with the spray olive oil. This is going to help the hen get crispy on the outside. Then, using your hand, spread the herb rub on both sides of the hen.
Cooking the Cornish Hen
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees on the AIR FRY function. It should take 3-4 minutes.
- When it is preheated, insert the hen with the breast side up.
- Set the timer for 25-30 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, carefully remove the hen from the air fryer and turn it over. I used two forks.
- Put it back in the Air Fryer and set the time for the remaining 15 minutes.
- Check the temperature to make sure it is at least 165 degrees F. Always cook to temperature for poultry, not necessarily to time. Check the bird early and check the temperature and to see if the juices are running clear.
Optional Cook the Neck, Liver and Giblets
- With about 12 minutes remaining, open the Air Fryer and add the neck, liver and giblets to the tray. When the hen is completely cooked, these goodies will be fully cooked as well.
- Remove and serve.
Notes
- Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Marjoram
- Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Parsley
- Rosemary and Thyme
- Thyme, Rosemary, Tarragon and Marjoram
- Sage, Oregano, Parsley
- Sage, Marjoram and Parsley
- Oregano, Basil, Parsley and Thyme
Nutrition
Her recipe doesn’t include salt and it’s needed!!!! Poultry seasoning usually has no salt in it. And far too much herbs for one Cornish game hen in her recipe as well.