Grab an instant-read thermometer and check the temperature in the center of the birds. If the temperature is lower then stick them back into the pot and put the lid back on and set the pressure cooker for another 5 minutes or so. The easy answer is whatever you’d like, but I served this cornish hens recipe with my creamy mashed potatoes and creamed onions. I also love them with wild rice or sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts and buttered noodles. When you release the pressure from the Instant Pot, check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.
(See video.) See the Recipe Notes below for additional information on the amount of wild rice mixture to cook to stuff four hens. If you enjoy poultry, try one of the following recipes that are exceptionally easy for the new traditional foods home cook. However, if you want to serve these hens with an additional side, I highly recommend some type of green vegetable. For example, I like to make green beans almondine, which is an easy recipe yet looks special. Since the hens are smaller, they are easier to prepare, which is great news for new home cooks who might find cooking a full-sized chicken a bit unwieldy. For this recipe you’ll need Cornish hens, chili powder, Kosher salt, lime zest and juice and EVOO.
How to Smoke Cornish Hens
You’ll know they’re done when the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear, but make sure to check the internal temperature before serving to be safe. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read at least 165 degrees F. Skip the store-bought rotisserie chicken and make this easy air fryer cornish hen recipe right at home! Five easy steps to perfectly cooked birds with irresistibly crispy skin.
Here you will find recipes to please the whole family. I hope you’ll stay and have a look around. Replace the potatoes with sweet potatoes or a different root vegetable. Use bacon grease or butter in place of the oil for a different flavor. Cornish Game Hens– Obviously the star of this dish!
- Place the lemon in the cavity of the Cornish hen with the cloves of garlic.
- Serve the cornish hens whole or carved with a garnish of fresh herbs or flakey sea salt.
- Again this is more a taste preference than an exact measurement.
- For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
Gently loosen the skin under breast of the hens with your finger and slide a lump of lemon butter underneath. Pat the skin dry and season all over with salt and pepper. The trick to keeping any meat juicy and tender, especially chicken, is to cook it until it is the right internal temperature. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F. We use and internal probe thermometer to test the temperature and pull the Cornish hens out of the oven right when they comes to temp.
Simply pat the hens dry with a paper towel before applying the butter, sage and garlic mixture. You want the skin as dry as possible so it gets nice and crispy. Place hen on an elevated roasting rack breast-side up with 1 cup of water under it for added moisture. Cook for 1 hour, or until the thickest part of the breast hits 160 degrees. Take out of the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Papa’s Freezeria Place it on a roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes or until the skin becomes crispy and nicely browned.
What wine goes well with Cornish hens?
Most of the meat is in the breast and just a little in the legs so they’re perfect for 1 person, even with a salad and stuffing. Turn the hen over and bake the other side for another 30 minutes. You may brush the juice seeping out on the skin. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Slide sage leaves under the skin of the breast of the hen, using 2-4 sage leaves per hen. Use your fingers to pull and loosen the outer skin away from the breast meat so you can insert the leaves. Use your fingers to apply the garlic butter and work quickly. If the bird is still cold, the butter solidifies quickly and is difficult to spread.