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    You Are Here Home » Entree Recipes

    Published: Feb 3, 2022 Updated: Feb 3, 2022 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 2 Comments

    Greek-Style Air Fried Cornish Hens

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    air fried Cornish Hens pin

    Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two, or a quick and easy family meal, you'll want to check out this Greek-Style Air Fried Cornish Hens recipe. Air Fryer Cornish hens take less than 30 minutes to prepare. They are tender, juicy, and have irresistible crispy skin. Serve with Air Fried Potato Wedges and Tabouli Salad.

    close up of air fried Cornish Hens.

    Is it just me, or does everyone find these small chickens so darn cute? They have a wonderful flavor and are a perfect size. One hen can feed two individuals, or one person with a hearty appetite.

    If you eat a whole one by yourself, I won't judge, I did the same. 😬 I did, however, share with my fur babies, Holly and Winston. They loved it and highly recommend the recipe!

    Why This Recipe Works

    This Greek-Style Air Fried Cornish Hens recipe is perfect for those who are on a low carb or keto diet. The hens are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and make a healthy lunch or dinner option.

    If you are cooking just one hen for yourself, you can have the other half the next night. Or use the leftovers to make my killer Rotisserie Chicken Salad for lunch.

    I used my Ninja Foodi (sponsored link) to prepare the air-fried cornish hens. It's like morphing an instant pot with an air fryer. It can fit one Cornish hen comfortably, or two Cornish hens snugly.

    air fryer Cornish hen being removed with tongs

    The size of the air fryer does matter. Some air fryers, like this one (sponsored link), which I purchased for my daughter, may only fit one hen at a time. The cooking time and instructions are the same for air frying one hen or two hens at once.

    What Goes Into This Recipe

    air fryer Cornish Hens ingredients

    Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Cornish Game Hens: You can usually find Cornish hens in the frozen meat section of most grocery stores. Most game hens weigh around 11/2 pounds, enough to feed two people. This recipe makes enough marinade to marinate 3 Cornish game hens. 
    • Olive Oil: If you don't have olive oil you can use avocado oil instead.
    • Lemon Juice: If possible, I like to use freshly squeezed lemon juice, however, you can use bottled lemon juice too.
    • Garlic: When adding garlic to any recipe, I always use fresh garlic. Garlic powder is acceptable, but never garlic in a jar 😝. 
    • Herbs: Greek chicken marinade almost always contains Oregano. However, thyme or rosemary would also be excellent choices.
    • Spices: Sea salt, black pepper, and paprika are all the seasoning you need in the marinade. However, you can add cayenne pepper to add some heat.

    How To Air Fry Cornish Hens

    STEP 1: Wash hens in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and paprika. Place Cornish Hens in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over the whole Cornish Hens. Allow them to marinate for at least a few hours.

    STEP 2:  Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375° F. Place the Cornish Hens into the air fryer basket, breast side down. Air fry for 13 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip the hens over and air fry them for an additional 12 minutes.

    Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. The breast temperature should be at least 165° F. Or check the internal thigh temperature and make sure it's at 180° F. You may need to cook them a minute or two longer.

    air fried Cornish Hens

    Pro Tip: Tent the Cornish Hens and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

    What to Serve with Cornish Hens

    You can treat Cornish Hens the same as you would any other chicken recipe. Scalloped Potatoes, Garlic Bread, Salads, or Cheesy Brussel Sprouts are all great options.

    How to Store Cornish Hen Leftovers

    Store Cornish game hen leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 3 to 4 days. You can also freeze the leftovers in freezer bags and consume them within 3 months.

    Reheating Cornish Hens

    Although you can reheat Cornish Hens in the microwave for a minute or so (covered with a damp paper towel) the skin will no longer be crispy. Instead, reheat in the oven (350° F, for 10 to 15 minutes). Better yet, reheat the hens in an air fryer at 375° F for 5 minutes. Check after 3 minutes, depending on the size of the leftovers, to keep the hens from drying out.

    Recipe FAQs and Expert Tips

    How to thaw frozen Cornish Hens?

    To avoid bacteria growth, thaw frozen hens in the fridge for 24 hours. Another option is to thaw the frozen hens in a large bowl of cold water. Keep the hens in their packaging to keep them from absorbing water. Replace the water as it gets too cold or approximately every 30 minutes until the hens are completely thawed.

    Should Cornish hens be rinsed before cooking?

    Yes, poultry should be rinsed with cold water and dried with paper towels before being cooked.

    What is the difference between chickens and Cornish Hens?

    Cornish Hens are a breed of chicken. They are bred to be slaughtered while young and tender. Their weight needs to be under 2 pounds. Most Cornish hens weigh around 1.5 pounds, while a regular chicken weighs around 5 pounds.

    Are Cornish Hens Good?

    Because Cornish Hens are butchered while they are around 5 weeks old, they are extra tender and flavorful. Surprisingly, they also contain less fat and cholesterol and are higher in protein than full-grown chickens.

    How do you cook Cornish Hens in the Oven?

    • Preheat oven to 350° F
    • Place seasoned/marinated hens into a roasting pan, breast side up.
    • Roast hens, uncovered, for one hour. Depending on the size of the Cornish Hens, they may need to cook 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until the internal temperature on an instant thermometer (inserted in the inner thigh) reaches 180° F.
    • Baste the hens occasionally.
    • If necessary, turn up the heat to 400° F during the last ten minutes to brown hens.

    • When preparing air fryer Cornish Hens, some people choose to truss the game birds first so that they hold their shape. It also keeps the wings from being overcooked. If you'd like to truss the hens, here's how.
    • It is not necessary to spray the air fryer pan with cooking spray since the chicken is marinated in olive oil and the basket is non-stick. 
    • When splitting the hens between two people, use kitchen scissors (affiliate link) to cut them in half.
    • Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the game hens. Mine were approximately 11/2 pounds each. If yours are smaller or larger, cooking time will need to be adjusted.
    • Remember to sanitize your working surface, and wash your hands regularly when working with raw poultry to avoid cross-contamination.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    If you enjoyed this Air Fried Cornish Hens recipe, be sure to check out some of my other air fryer recipes.

    • Air Fried Potato Wedges
    • Air Fried Apple Chips
    • Air Fried Falafel

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    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    two air fried Cornish Hens in an air fryer.

    Air Fryer Cornish Hens

    Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two, or a quick and easy family meal, Cornish Hens are affordable and taste absolutely amazing!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, entree
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Marinating Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 269kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 2 Cornish Hens
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 1 medium lemon (juiced)
    • 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
    • 1½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

    Instructions

    • Wash hens in cold water and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and paprika. Place Cornish Hens in a large ziplock bag and pour the marinade over the whole Cornish Hens. Allow them to marinate for at least a few hours.
    • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375° F. Place the Cornish Hens into the air fryer basket, breast side down. Air fry for 13 minutes. Using tongs, carefully flip the hens over and air fry them for an additional 12 minutes.
    • Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. The breast temperature should be at least 165° F. Or check the internal thigh temperature and make sure it's at 180° F. You may need to cook them a minute or two longer. 

    Notes

    • When preparing air fryer Cornish Hens, some people choose to truss the game birds first so that they hold their shape. It also keeps the wings from being overcooked. If you'd like to truss the hens, here's how.
    • It is not necessary to spray the air fryer pan with cooking spray since the chicken is marinated in olive oil and the basket is non-stick. 
    • When splitting the hens between two people, use kitchen scissors (affiliate link) to cut them in half.
    • Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the game hens. Mine were approximately 1-½ pounds each. If yours are smaller or larger, cooking time will need to be adjusted.
    • Tent the cornish hens and allow them to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.
    • Remember to sanitize your working surface, and wash your hands regularly when working with raw poultry to avoid cross-contamination.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.5hen | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 743mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g
    Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

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    1. Kelly Methey says

      February 04, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      These look gorgeous, almost too pretty to eat. They look delicious!

      Reply
      • Hilda Sterner says

        February 04, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        Thanks, Kelly, I agree, so brown and shiny!

        Reply

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