Easy Instant Pot Cornish Hen

Step 1

Rub the seasoning mix all over the Cornish hen.

Step 2

Pour water into Instant Pot insert, add the trivet and place hen on the trivet.

Step 3

Place the lid on and turn valve to the sealing position. Set to pressure cook / manual cook on high pressure for 20 mins.

Step 4

When done allow for a natural pressure release for 5 mins, then perform a quick pressure release.

Step 5

To finish in the Instant Pot, remove the hen, drain the water, and put Cornish hen back in.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

If using the broiler to finish, set your broiler to 400F / 204C and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.

Step 8

Dry the Cornish hen with paper towels.

Step 9

In a medium bowl, mix butter with your lemon zest, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and dried thyme.

Step 10

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.

Step 11

Stuff half of the lemon wedges into the cavity along with the fresh rosemary.

Step 12

Turn the Instant Pot Saute function on, when the display reads “hot”, add olive oil.

Step 13

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.

Step 14

Add the onion and garlic to the Instant Pot insert and cook for a few mins, stirring occasionally.

Step 15

Add in water and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot.

Step 16

Cancel the Saute function and add the hen back to the pot with the breast side up.

Step 17

Add in your potatoes. Put the lid on and turn the release valve to the sealing position.

Step 18

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.

Step 19

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.

Step 20

To finish, set the broiler to 400F / 204C, and broil the hen until golden brown and crispy.

Step 21

To make the gravy, turn the pot on to sauté again. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onion and garlic from the drippings.

Step 22

Combine flour and butter to make a ball.

Step 23

Add butter ball to the simmering drippings and stir well until the gravy thickens.