Crispy Cornish Hen in Air Fryer

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Delicious and juicy Air Fryer Cornish Hen (Cornish game hens) with crispy skin served with creamy mushroom bacon gravy.

Cornish Game Hen recipe will give you the most tender meat with crispy skin in about 45 minutes. These mini rotisserie chickens are great for weeknight dinners or holiday meal.

I particularly enjoy them on nights when I don’t feel like cooking a whole chicken.

green beans, a cornish hen, and mushroom gravy on a white plate with a black fork

This post was developed in paid partnership with Tyson Foods, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.Thank you for being supportive of me working with brands I use and love!

Flavor packed Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe

Don’t let the small size fool you, these little birds are packed with delicious flavor and incredibly juicy meat!

Every time I make something in the air fryer I deem it as “the easiest thing I’ve ever made”. I’ve now come to terms with the fact that everything made in an air fryer is easy. It’s literally a foolproof cooking appliance that everyone should have.

This year we’re hosting about eight people for a small Friendsgiving. I feel like it’s always the host’s responsibility to prepare the main dish so I’m planning to make four of these air fryer Cornish hens, using Tyson Premium Cornish Hens.

Although they are small birds and a whole cornish hen serves about one person, there will be lots of food here so I’m planning on each person having half.

They make such a nice presentation when you arrange them over a bed of mixed greens on a nice platter. Then they’re dressed with the best mushroom bacon gravy you’ll ever have!

mushrooms in a bowl, package of bacon, and cornish hens in the package

Cornish Hen Recipe Air Fryer ingredients

  • Cornish Hens
    • Cornish hens: These tender, small hens are perfect for individual servings and can be found at your local butcher or well-stocked grocery stores.
    • Yellow onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the dish.
    • Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme for a classic flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the cornish hen.
    • Paprika: Adds a slightly smoky flavor to the seasoning.
  • Mushroom Bacon Gravy
    • Thick-cut bacon: Provides a rich, savory flavor and a satisfyingly crispy texture that complements the creamy mushroom gravy perfectly.
    • Cremini mushrooms: These mushrooms contribute an earthy depth and meaty texture to your gravy.
    • Dry red wine: Elevate the complexity of your dish with a deep, wine-infused flavor; select a wine you’d enjoy sipping alongside your meal.
    • Unsalted butter: Enhance the sauce’s creaminess and richness with a touch of butter. Butter also gives it a silky smooth finish.
    • Garlic: Creates an aromatic and flavorful base for your gravy.
    • Heavy cream: This essential ingredient adds a luxurious velvety richness to your sauce, creating a perfect complement to your dish.
    • Chicken bone broth: Boost the savory depth of your gravy; you can easily find this ingredient in most grocery stores. You can also use regular chicken broth if you already have that on hand.
    • Grated Parmesan cheese: for a nutty, salty dimension to your gravy.
    • Fresh herbs: Elevate your dish with the aromatic freshness of thyme and parsley.
    • Pink peppercorns: Infuse a subtle citrusy and mildly spicy note into your gravy. If you donโ€™t have pink peppercorns, you can use rainbow peppercorns instead.
    • Cornstarch: Achieve the perfect consistency for your sauce with this essential thickening agent. You can also use arrowroot powder.

I serve the mushroom gravy on the side too because it’s so good you might just want to eat it as a side dish. It’s basically a creamy bacon mushroom soup!

The gravy is made with Wright Brand Hickory Smoked Bacon, which works perfectly in this recipe because you’ll get nice tender pieces of bacon in every bite. I got this bacon at Walmart too!

How to make Cornish Hens in Air Fryer

Air fryer Cornish hens are made in two easy steps: 

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 F.
  2. Rub the outside of the hens with Italian seasoning, paprika, and a generous amount of salt. Stuff the cavity with onions and spritz the top of the hens with olive oil.

How long to cook Air Fryer Cornish Hen

Place both game birds in the air fryer basket and cook on the air fry setting for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Flip the birds about halfway through.

Tip: the best way to check the internal temperature is with a meat thermometer. It’s a digital thermometer that you poke into the thickest part of the meat to read the temperature.

You can also grab your favorite seasonings and some fresh herbs (rosemary is great) if you want to change things up.

two cooked cornish hens in the air fryer basket

That’s it! While the Cornish hens are cooking in the air fryer, I prep the mushroom bacon gravy.

Note: you can stuff the birds with other fresh herbs and vegetables like rosemary, carrots, garlic cloves, or mushrooms too.

How to make mushroom bacon gravy

This mushroom bacon gravy is so good and pretty simple to make, too. Basically, all you’re doing is cooking the bacon, dicing it, and combining everything in a shallow pan. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how to make gravy:

  1. Line the outer basket with aluminum foil and pre-heat the air fryer to 390F.
  2. Arrange the bacon in the basket, in a single layer. Cook the bacon for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. When finished, remove the bacon strips from the air fryer and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool. Once cooled, dice the bacon and set aside.
  3. While the bacon is in the air fryer, heat a skillet on medium heat with butter, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and butter is melted.
  4. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the mushrooms and wine. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms have softened and wine has reduced by half. Note: if the wine comes to a rapid boil, reduce the heat. It should only come to a light boil.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water, then add it to the skillet with the mushrooms. Pour in the cream, chicken broth, diced bacon, parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining parsley and thyme. Simmer on medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste, and adjust the seasoning with more herbs and pepper if needed. Salt shouldn’t be necessary.
mushroom bacon gravy in a weck jar with a small white spoon

You can use this recipe on anything you would eat with gravy, or even by itself because it’s basically a creamy mushroom soup and it’s SO good! I actually put some on my plate and ate it as a creamy mushroom side dish.

Cornish Hen Recipe Air Fryer tips

  • I like to prepare the bacon in an air fryer before getting started with everything else. You can even do this ahead of time the night before and store it in the refrigerator. If you prefer another method of cooking bacon, you can do that too.
  • The mushroom bacon gravy stores well in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for about four days. It reheats easily either in the microwave or stirred over low heat.
  • If you are air frying multiple batches of bacon, make sure you empty the bacon drippings from the air fryer basket in between batches.
  • Sometimes I’ll add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or some lemon zest on top just before serving.
  • If you are making a few batches, you can place the cooked hens in a baking dish in the oven at 250 degrees F to keep them warm.

Cornish Hen Air Fryer storage

To store cooked Cornish hens, let them cool, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 2-3 months, making sure to label and date the packaging.

air fryer cornish hen on a white plate

How to serve this Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe

I served my Cornish hens with green beans, but here are a few other options for side dishes:

What else can I serve with the Mushroom Bacon Gravy?

Serve this Mushroom Bacon Gravy with anything you’d eat gravy with! Mashed potatoes, biscuits and gravy, or over top of vegetables like green beans.

Air Fry Cornish Hen FAQs

What is a Cornish hen?

A Cornish hen, also known as a ‘Cornish game hen’ is a chicken produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds. It’s served young, at about two pounds.

Whatย is the difference between a chicken and a Cornish hen?

Cornish hens taste like chicken since they are still a chicken variety, and because Cornish hens are younger they can be more tender when cooked.
Cornish hens are also very lean since they’re composed of more white meat than dark meat. Tyson Cornish Hens, specifically, are 100% all natural and minimally processed with no artificial ingredients.

Can I use thin bacon strips instead?

Lots of people prefer thinly sliced bacon to thick cut bacon because it gets super crispy. In a sauce like this bacon gravy, you will want thick cut bacon strips because it has a chewier bite and more flavor. Better for sauces and it still gets crispy!

Should Cornish hens be cooked breast up or breast down?

Cornish hens are usually cooked breast up. This allows the breast meat to stay moist and cook evenly while the skin on top can become crispy and golden brown.

Can you cook a frozen Cornish hen in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook a frozen Cornish hen in the air fryer by cooking it at 360-375ยฐF for approximately 20-25 minutes per pound, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165ยฐF for safe consumption.

Why didn’t my chicken get crispy in the air fryer?

Several factors can affect the crispiness of chicken in the air fryer. First, make sure you’ve properly coated the chicken with a thin layer of oil or cooking spray to help the skin brown. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket because this can lead to uneven cooking and a soft, mushy texture. Finally, consider increasing the cooking temperature or time slightly, but be careful not to overcook the chicken.

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5 from 7 votes

Air Fry Cornish Hen

Delicious juicy Cornish hen in your air fryer with the best mushroom bacon gravy. The best air fryer recipe for crispy skin and fantastic flavor!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 2
Calories: 203
Author: Jordan

Ingredients

Cornish Hens

Red Wine Mushroom Bacon Gravy

  • 5 strips of thick cut bacon
  • 16 ounces cremini mushrooms, cleaned and stems trimmed
  • 3/4 cup dry red wine
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken bone broth
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon pink peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Red Wine Mushroom Bacon Gravy

  • Line the outer basket with aluminum foil and pre-heat the air fryer to 390F.
  • Cut the bacon slices in half and arrange in the basket. Cook the bacon for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. When finished, remove the bacon strips from the air fryer and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool. Once cooled, dice the bacon and set aside.
  • While the bacon is in the air fryer, heat a skillet on medium heat with butter, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of thyme, stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and butter is melted.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the mushrooms and wine. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms have softened and wine has reduced by half. Note: if the wine comes to a rapid boil, reduce the heat. It should only come to a light boil.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water, then add it to the skillet with the mushrooms. Pour in the cream, chicken broth, bacon crumbles, parmesan cheese, pepper, and remaining parsley and thyme. Simmer on medium-low heat until the sauce has thickened slightly. Taste, and adjust the seasoning with more herbs and pepper if needed. Salt shouldn't be necessary.

Cornish Hens

  • Pre-heat the air fryer to 390 F. Rub the hens with Italian seasoning, paprika, and a generous amount of salt. Stuff the cavity with onions and spritz the top of the hens with olive oil. Air fry for 25 minutes, flipping the hens halfway through.
  • To serve: divide the cornish hens between two plates and add a generous amount of bacon gravy to each hen.
If you tried this recipe, please leave a review letting me know how it was!

Notes

  • Air fry the bacon first and prepare the sauce while the cornish hens are cooking.ย 
  • Remove the aluminum foil lining with bacon grease from the air fryer before adding the cornish hens.
Keywords: air fryer bacon, air fryer cornish hens, bacon, bacon gravy, cornish hens, mushroom bacon gravy

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 106g | Fat: 159g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 653mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4828IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 8mg
Nutrition information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.
Tried this recipe?I’d love to see your dish, mention @jzeats or tag #jzeats!

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5 from 7 votes (1 rating without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. What type of air fryer do you have?

  2. Which air fryer do you have?

    1. I have the ninja foodi grill, there’s a link to it in this post!

  3. Christina says:

    I had to cook at 390 for 30 mins plus a little more each side in the yedi air fryer oven. Wonder why so different?

    1. The recipe states to cook them for 25 minutes, so an extra 5 minutes isn’t that off. Air fryers are just like ovens, each is a little different and you might need to add or subtract a few minutes based on your appliance.

  4. 5 stars
    These were superb! I didn’t even realized I could make cornish hens in the airfryer. Quick, easy and little mess.

  5. 5 stars
    Haven’t made these yet, but looks interesting and good. I love game hens in the air fryer. I have the Ninja Foodi FD402 (not grill) and love it!!! Made your recipe tonight for the 5 Spice AIr Fryer Chicken Breasts, very good, made a mistake and used 1 tsp smoked paprika i/o 1/2 tsp but wasn’t sorry.
    Anyway, my question is are these really only 203 calories/hen? the “kcal” confuses me, I googled it but got even more confused

    1. Ohh so glad to hear you loved the chicken! I was actually confused by this for a while too and learned that it is the same thing as a calorie. The nutrition calculator I use is a website plugin and may not always be 100% accurate, so if you are counting calories I would suggest using your preferred nutrition calculator to make sure you get the most accurate information!

      1. 5 stars
        Thank you, definitely will try. I’ve given up on the calorie apps, I use them but if the calories look questionable I just look up each ingredient, add and divide by servings. It’s a pain, but we have to watch our intake both calories and sodium and carbs. Thanks again.

  6. 5 stars
    I made this last night for friends, the game hen was good but the mushroom gravy was amazing, it is going on my must make list. Thank you.