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instant pot cornish hen on a white plate and ready to be served
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Easy Instant Pot Cornish Hen

Instant Pot Cornish Hen is an easy one-pot meal that your family will love!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Western
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 244kcal

Ingredients

Instant Pot Cornish Hen Ingredients:

  • 2 lb (908g) Cornish Hen
  • 1 Tbsp Creole seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or no-calorie cooking spray
  • 1 cup (236ml) water for cooking

Instant Pot Cornish Hen and Gravy Ingredients:

  • 2 lb (908g) Cornish Hen
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 4 Tbsp butter softened
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ small onion sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 small lemon cut in eighths, divided in half
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • cup (80ml) water
  • 4 small red potatoes cut in half (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp butter softened

Instructions

Make it in the Instant Pot:

  • Rub the seasoning mix all over the Cornish hen.
  • Pour water into Instant Pot insert, add the trivet and place hen on the trivet.
  • Place the lid on and turn valve to the sealing position. Set to pressure cook / manual cook on high pressure for 20 mins.
  • When done allow for a natural pressure release for 5 mins, then perform a quick pressure release.
  • To finish in the Instant Pot, remove the hen, drain the water, and put Cornish hen back in.
  • If using your Duo Crisp, spray the Cornish hen with oil. Place the air fryer lid on the Duo Crisp and then air fry at 400F / 204C for 8-10 mins. Then open the lid, turn the hen over, spray with oil, place the air fryer lid back on, and air fry for another 8-10 mins.
  • If using the broiler to finish, set your broiler to 400F / 204C and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.

Make it in the Instant Pot: with gravy

  • Dry the Cornish hen with paper towels.
  • In a medium bowl, mix butter with your lemon zest, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and dried thyme.
  • Rub the outside and under the skin of the hen with the butter mixture. Add some of the butter mixture to the inside of the cavity of the hen as well.
  • Stuff half of the lemon wedges into the cavity along with the fresh rosemary.
  • Turn the Instant Pot Saute function on, when the display reads “hot”, add olive oil.
  • Once the oil is simmering, add the hen to the pot with the breast side down and cook for 3 mins undisturbed. Flip the Instant Pot Cornish Hen over and brown the other side for about 3 mins as well. Once both sides have been browned, remove the hen and set aside on a plate.
  • Add the onion and garlic to the Instant Pot insert and cook for a few mins, stirring occasionally.
  • Add in water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot.
  • Cancel the Saute function and add the hen back to the pot with the breast side up.
  • Add in your potatoes. Put the lid on and turn the release valve to the sealing position.
  • Pressure cook for 12 mins on High Pressure and use a Natural Pressure Release for 10 mins once done cooking to release the remaining pressure.
  • Open the lid and use tongs to take out the hen and place it on a baking sheet. Brush the hen with the melted butter.
  • To finish, set the broiler to 400F / 204C, and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.
  • To make the gravy, turn the pot on to sauté again. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion and garlic from the drippings.
  • Combine flour and butter to make a ball.
  • Add butter ball to the simmering drippings and stir well until the gravy thickens.

Notes

  • Cooking time does not include time for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure or for the pressure to be released.
  • If you like a thicker gravy, use 3 tablespoons of butter and 3 tablespoons of flour.
  • Feel free to add in extra veggies such as carrots or onions.
  • Do not open your Instant Pot until all the pressure has been released.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure it has reached 165F / 74C and is cooked through before serving.
Chef's Tip ==> this is a great way to use your Instant Pot Duo Crisp to finish up the cornish hen. If you don't have one, you can also use the Mealthy CrispLid or put it in the broiler, following the instructions above.
There are 7 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 71mg | Potassium: 280mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg