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Learn how to make the perfect air fryer Cornish game hens for a fast and delicious meal. These tender and delicious game hens look like an elegant meal, but they’re ready in 30 minutes and are perfect for a busy fuss-free weeknight dinner.
If you’re looking for a super flavorful and fast dinner, you cannot beat cornish hens in the air fryer. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious main dish that looks fancy but was incredibly simple to throw together.
Oh, and you don’t even have to turn your oven on and risk heating up your whole house to make this meal. Bonus!
In most grocery stores, Cornish hens are found in the freezer section. Don’t let that keep you from purchasing them for a same-day meal. They defrost incredibly quickly due to their small size.
Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
- Do not skip the step of preheating the air fryer. A hot air fryer means the cornish hen starts cooking right away and fully cooks in less time. Shorter cooking time = juicier meat.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the cornish hen is fully cooked to 165°F. Do not go by appearance alone – temp is the only safe way to determine if it is done.
- All air fryers will be slightly different for cooking time. Test the temperature at the 25-minute mark.
- Once the hen has finished cooking, tent it loosely with foil and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes prior to cutting or serving. This keeps it extra juicy!
Air Fryer Cornish Game Hens (30-Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 cornish hen {~1.5 lbs}{thawed}
- 1 tsp unsalted butter {melted}
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt {I used Diamond}
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp dried sage
- 1/4 tsp dried parsley
- 1 cup chicken stock
Instructions
- For best results, allow the cornish hen to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes prior to cooking.1 cornish hen
- Combine butter, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sage, and parsley in a small bowl.1 tsp unsalted butter, 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp dried parsley, 1/4 tsp dried sage
- Rub the butter mixture all over the cornish hen, making sure to get under the wings and thighs.
- Preheat air fryer at 380˚F for 4 minutes.
- Carefully pour the chicken stock into the (2-part) basket of the air fryer (see notes section if you have an oven-style air fryer).1 cup chicken stock
- Place the cornish hen breast side down in the air fryer basket.
- Bake at 380˚F for 15 minutes.
- Carefully use a spatula or tongs to flip the hen over.
- Reduce air fryer temp to 350˚F.
- Continue to cook the hen until a meat thermometer reads 165˚F degrees in the fattest part of the thigh, keeping the tip of the thermometer off of the bone (~10-15 more minutes).
- Allow the cornish hen to rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting/serving.
Notes
- Do not use the 1 cup of chicken stock if you have an oven-style air fryer.
- If you have an oven-style air fryer that comes with rotisserie forks, you can safely use those with the cornish hens.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to make sure the cornish hen is fully cooked to 165˚F. Do not go by appearance alone – temp is the only safe way to determine if it is done.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
