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We love to eat rotisserie chickens from the store. I often use them for other recipes that call for cooked chicken. “Roasting” a chicken in the Instant Pot® is so easy, and yields tender, juice meat. I decided to come up with a smaller portion “Fauxtisserie” chicken substitute. Instant Pot Mini – Cornish Game Hen. The next smaller portion recipe in my “Mini Series” for the 3 Quart Mini electric pressure cooker.
Instant Pot Mini – Cornish Game Hen
These little 2 pound rock hens, or Cornish rocks, or whatever you call them in your neck of the woods, are so perfect for the 3 quart electric pressure cooker. There is just enough room to add in some veggies and make it a complete meal.
I usually add potatoes, but you could also add carrots, or anything that will fit in the pot with the bird, and cook in 12 minutes! If you like a crispier skin, you can pop it under the broiler for a few minutes (the pictured game hen was not broiled). Then make some tasty gravy from the drippings, in the same pot, and you are good to go!
It’s a simple meal that you can turn to often. Instant Pot Mini – Cornish Game Hen makes a healthy and satisfying meal, and you can have it on the table in less than an hour. That’s a big deal, from such a small pot!
Instant Pot Mini – Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Mini – Sweet Potato Chili
Instant Pot Mini – Jerk Thighs and Rice
Instant Pot Mini – Tasty Black Beans
Instant Pot Mini – Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Mini – Spaghetti
Instant Pot Mini – Game Hen Noodle Soup
This is a delicious meal that yields a tender, flavorful game hen in the Instant Pot. Enjoy!
Instant Pot Mini - Cornish Game Hen
Ingredients
- 1 2lb Cornish Game Hen (aka Cornish Rock)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Butter, softened
- 1 tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Poultry Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ small Onion, sliced
- 1 small Lemon, cut in eighths, divided in half
- 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary (optional) or fresh thyme, or both
- ⅓ cup Water*
- 2 small Potatoes, cut in half (optional) If they are very small, leave whole and pierce with a fork
Gravy
- 2 Tbsps All Purpose Flour (use 3 if you like thicker gravy)
- 2 Tbsps Butter, softened (use 3 if you like thicker gravy)
Instructions
- Dry the game hen with paper towels.
- Rub the outside, and under the skin with butter.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder. Be sure to get some seasoning inside the cavity.
- Stuff the cavity of the game hen loosely with half of the lemon wedges, and the sprig of rosemary, if using.
- Turn on the Sauté function. When display reads “Hot” add the oil.
- Place the game hen in the pot, breast side down and let it cook for about 3 minutes undisturbed. Then use tongs to flip it over and brown the other side for 3 minutes.
- Remove the game hen to a plate and add the onion slices to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes, scraping the bottom of the pot to get the brown bits up.
- Add the water and stir.
- Place the game hen back in the pot with the breast side up.
- Toss in the potatoes, if using.
- Cancel the Sauté function.
- Squeeze remaining half of the lemon wedges over the game hen and discard them.
- Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to Sealing.
- Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) Button, or dial on Ultra. Set time to 12 minutes using the + or - button.
- When cook cycle ends, let pot naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then manually release any remaining pressure by turning the knob to Venting (there may not be any pressure left, and that's okay).
- When the pin in the lid drops, it is safe to open the lid. Open and take out game hen with tongs and place on a baking sheet (if you are going to broil to crisp up the skin), or a plate (if not broiling).
- Turn on your broiler to 400 degrees (F) and broil the game hen until desired browning occurs.
- If you are not going to brown it, serve immediately.
To Make the Gravy
- If you want to make gravy with the drippings, turn the pot on to Sauté again. If you don't want the onion slices in your gravy, use a slotted spoon to remove them.
- Mix the flour and butter together to form a soft paste. You may need to microwave it just 5-10 seconds to soften it. Add to the simmering drippings and stir well until the gravy thickens. Turn off the pot and serve over the game hen and potatoes (if using).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you use a trivet or no? I have an 8 QT, and I am concerned about getting a ‘burn’ message if I don’t use one after I finish ‘saute’. I have two cornish hens I am cooking.
I don’t use the trivet for this recipe, but you can. Add a little more liquid for the 8 qt size pot.
This was good! Very lemony. I used a little Greek seasoning as I didn’t have poultry seasoning and put in baby potatoes and a cut up carrot. I made the gravy too, really good! I didn’t broil it because it was hot to turn on the oven. Still really good! Perfect for two people. I’ll definitely make this again.
I have a 6 qt Duo IP. Can any mini recipe be made in it so I have smaller portions? Do I need to make any alterations to the recipe or time?
Hi Donna, yes, you can make the Mini recipes in the 6 qt. Same cook time. The only change might be adding 1/4 cup more liquid to the recipe if it calls for 1/2 cup or less.
My pot is a mini but my hen is a 1 lb. Can I
Cook 2 1 lb. in a mini at same time and amount of liquid?
As long as they both fit! Same time and amount of liquid.
I’m new to cooking with the Instant pot & wanted a recipe for cornish hens that was easy & delicious. I made 2 hens in a 6qt Instant pot, and can definitely say that this recipe is AMAZING! Don’t forego the potatoes & gravy – they make the recipe a perfect gastronomic delight!
Hi Melsie! I’m so glad this recipe worked for you! Thank you for your review!
Did you serve this with bok Chou?
I did. Is that weird? I just love it!
How many hens can i cook at once? I have an 8 qt pot?
Hi Linda, you can cook as many as will comfortably fit in the pot (maybe 3-4?). It’s best to have them all close to the same size, for cooking consistency.
Can you just use one? As it is just me i am looking for recipes for one or two 😉 Thank you.
Hi Monica, yes, this recipe is for one hen. Others can double it in their 6 qt or larger pot.
I’m a newbie. Haven’t tried anything yet except a few eggs. I’m happy to see this delicious-sounding cornish hen recipe. I have a LUX MINI. Can 2 hens be stacked? Any changes need to be made? Can cook green beans or broccoli along with the hens?
I haven’t tried stacking the hens, but if they fit, it should work fine. Broccoli will overcook in this amount of time. For beans, it will depend on the type you want to use. Dry, green, canned?
I just made it with two hens in my 7-in-1 mini, and it worked fine! I put carrots, parsnips and mushrooms underneath (rather than a trivet), and the 1/3 cup water was enough with the vegetables and butter. One quarter lemon in each cavity. I added 3 minutes to make it 15 at high pressure, but I don’t think they were needed after all. Great recipe! The gravy made with the butter/flour paste was delicious and creamy, what a nifty technique. I blended them with my pastry blender and then 15 seconds in microwave.
Hi, is the hen frozen or thawed?
Thanks
Hi Tim, I usually cook a thawed hen so I can apply a spice rub easier, but you can cook it from frozen. Just add a little more liquid, maybe 1/4 cup, and give it a few more minutes cook time (I’d try 5 since you probably won’t be sautéing it). It will take a little longer to come to pressure.
Do you know what time and liquids would be needed to do 2 hens in a 6 quart IP?
Hi Crystal, the times will be the same, and you can add 1 cup of broth/water. Double the seasonings, etc.
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! I just panicked realizing I was making twice the hens!