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29 best air fryer cornish hen recipes featured recipe

Air Fried Lemon Pepper Cornish Hens

Crispy, tender, and bursting with zesty flavor, these air fried lemon pepper cornish hens are a must-try dish that will leave you wanting more.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 1055 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cornish Hens:

  • Carefully lift the skin of each Cornish hen and place a knob of butter underneath the skin.
    2 Cornish Hens, Knob of Butter
  • Lightly season both sides of the hens with a sprinkle of black pepper and a pinch of salt.
    Black Pepper, Salt

Stuff the Inside:

  • Open the cavity of each Cornish hen and place ¼ lemon wedge inside.

Prepare the Basting Mixture:

  • In a bowl, create a basting mixture by combining butter, lemon pepper seasoning, and the juice of half a lemon. Adjust the amounts to your taste.
    1 Lemon, Butter, Lemon Pepper Seasoning, Juice of Half a Lemon

Preheat the Air Fryer:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (188°C) for a few minutes.

Air Frying:

  • Place the prepared Cornish hens in the air fryer basket.
  • Cook the Cornish hens at 370°F (188°C) for 15 minutes.
  • Carefully flip the Cornish hens and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
  • Flip the Cornish hens once more and cook for a final 15 minutes.

Basting:

  • Every 10 minutes or so, baste the hens with the prepared basting mixture. This adds flavor and moisture.

Check Doneness:

  • Ensure the Cornish hens are cooked through, with crispy skin. If necessary, cook for an additional few minutes.

Serve:

  • Once the Cornish hens are cooked to perfection—crispy, juicy, and flavorful-remove them from the air fryer.
  • Plate the hens, and serve with your preferred side dishes.

Nutrition

Calories: 1055kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 58gFat: 90gSaturated Fat: 40gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 32gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 452mgSodium: 1706mgPotassium: 835mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 1686IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg
Keyword airfryer, cornishhens, lemon, Pepper
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