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Juicy, crispy Air Fryer Cornish Hen in below an hour! Excellent for weeknight dinners—simple to prep, filled with taste, and no oven required.

Cornish Hen within the Air Fryer
This Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe makes it simple to get pleasure from a superbly roasted chook—juicy inside, crispy exterior, and carried out in below an hour. My air fryer recipes are constantly common, which I get as a result of it’s such a time saver within the kitchen for busy weeknights! I created this recipe for 2 however you probably have a bigger air fryer basket (mine is 8 quarts) you’ll be able to simply match two hens in it for 4 folks! The hens are seasoned with easy herbs and spices, making it good for weeknight dinners and even date nights, with out heating up the kitchen. I serve this with a easy salad, like my panzanella salad to make it a meal. For those who can’t discover Cornish hens, attempt my Buttermilk Air Fryer Entire Hen or my traditional Entire Roasted Hen (made within the oven).
Components You’ll Want
Apart from the Cornish hen, the opposite substances are all pantry staples. See the recipe card beneath for the precise measurements.

- Cornish Sport Hens are a pleasant different to a complete hen in case you’re solely cooking for one or two folks.
- Olive Oil is used to create a rub for the hen, which provides moisture and taste.
- Herbs: Chop contemporary thyme and rosemary. It’s also possible to use dried herbs or a combine, equivalent to Italian seasoning or herbs de Provence.
- Seasoning: Kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper. You can use any seasoning you want, equivalent to paprika or poultry seasoning.
- Lemon: Stuff the hen with lemon wedges to infuse it with citrus taste.
Easy methods to Air Fry a Cornish Hen
For those who’re hen is frozen, thaw it for twenty-four to 36 hours within the fridge. For those who’re brief on time, let it sit in chilly water till thawed, altering out the water each half-hour. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.



- Prep the Cornish Hen: Pat the surface of the hen dry with paper towels to make sure the pores and skin will get crispy. To dry the within, stand the chook up on a baking sheet so the liquid drains from the cavity.
- Make the Rub: Mix the olive oil, half of the salt, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl.
- Season the Hen: Rub the paste throughout and put the lemons inside. Tie the legs with kitchen twine to make it simpler to get the hen within the air fryer (elective). Let the hen relaxation for half-hour at room temperature or refrigerate uncovered in a single day. The longer you permit it, the extra taste it’s going to develop.
- How Lengthy to Air Fry a Cornish Hen: Spray the air fryer basket with oil or use parchment and put the hen inside. Air fry at 380°F for 20 minutes on both sides*
- Relaxation: Take away the hen from the air fryer basket and let it relaxation for 10 minutes earlier than chopping, which is able to forestall the juices from operating out.
*Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest a part of the thigh, making certain you don’t contact the bones. When it reads 165°F, it’s fit for human consumption.
No air fryer? No drawback!
Bake the Cornish sport hen at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes.

FAQ
Is a Cornish hen only a small hen?
Sure, Cornish hens, also called Cornish sport hens, are small, younger hybrid chickens that weigh lower than 2 kilos. They’re additionally leaner than common chickens. Their smaller dimension makes them supreme for air frying, however you probably have a bigger basket (roughly 8 quarts), you’ll be able to match 2 at a time.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cornish Hen
Roasted hen is a traditional. Listed here are a few of my favourite aspect dishes that might be scrumptious with it:
Storage
- Refrigerate the Cornish sport hen for as much as 4 days.
- Freezer: Take away the hen from the bones and freeze it in an hermetic container for 3 months.
- Easy methods to Reheat: Thaw the hen within the fridge, and eat it chilly or microwave it till heat. It’d be nice added to salads, soups, or grain bowls.
- Meal Prep Tip: For those who’re air fryer is bigger, double the recipe and prepare dinner 2 hens on the similar time.
- Bonus Tip: Save the carcass and use it to make home made hen inventory.

Extra Air Fryer Hen Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts, take a look at my Hen Recipes and Air Fryer Recipes collections, plus these 5 scrumptious air fryer hen recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: servings
Serving Measurement: 1 /2 hen, pores and skin eliminated
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Dry off your cornish hen with paper towels. Ensure that the hen is dry, together with the within. It helps to prop them up initially so the liquid drains from the cavity.
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Put together the paste in a small bowl. Use every little thing apart from ¼ teaspoon of the salt and the lemon. Mix all substances and create your paste and put aside.
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Use the ¼ teaspoon of reserved salt to season the cavity of the hen. Coat the hen with the herb seasoning throughout and stuff every cavity with the lemon items. Tie the legs with kitchen twine.
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Let the hen relaxation for half-hour or as much as in a single day, uncovered within the fridge.
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Spray your air fryer basket calmly with oil and set the hen within the air fryer basket, breast aspect down. Air fry 380°F levels for 20 minutes. Flip the hens over rigorously and prepare dinner for one more 20 minutes.
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Allow them to stand 10 minutes earlier than carving.
Final Step:
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In case your air fryer basket is massive sufficient, you may make 2 on the similar time by doubling the recipe.
No Air Fryer? No Drawback
Bake the Cornish sport hen at 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes.
Serving: 1 /2 hen, pores and skin eliminated, Energy: 434.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 4 g, Protein: 68.5 g, Fats: 15 g, Saturated Fats: 3.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 309.5 mg, Sodium: 653 mg, Fiber: 1.5 g, Sugar: 0.5 g
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