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!
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This is a delicious meal that yields a tender, flavorful game hen in the Instant Pot. Enjoy!
Much like a rotisserie chicken, this Instant Pot Mini - Cornish Game Hen cooked in the 3 quart electric pressure cooker, comes out juicy and tender. A fast dinner with a smaller portion size.
- 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
- 2 Tbsps All Purpose Flour (use 3 if you like thicker gravy)
- 2 Tbsps Butter, softened (use 3 if you like thicker gravy)
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Dry the game hen with paper towels.
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Rub the outside, and under the skin with butter.
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Sprinkle with salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, and garlic powder. Be sure to get some seasoning inside the cavity.
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Stuff the cavity of the game hen loosely with half of the lemon wedges, and the sprig of rosemary, if using.
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Turn on the Sauté function. When display reads “Hot” add the oil.
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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.
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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.
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Add the water and stir.
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Place the game hen back in the pot with the breast side up.
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Toss in the potatoes, if using.
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Cancel the Sauté function.
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Squeeze remaining half of the lemon wedges over the game hen and discard them.
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Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to Sealing.
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Press the Manual (or Pressure Cook) Button, or dial on Ultra. Set time to 12 minutes using the + or - button.
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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).
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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).
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Turn on your broiler to 400 degrees (F) and broil the game hen until desired browning occurs.
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If you are not going to brown it, serve immediately.
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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.
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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).
*Use more liquid for the larger pots.
Phyllis Burke
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?
Sandy
As long as they both fit! Same time and amount of liquid.
Melsie
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!
Sandy
Hi Melsie! I'm so glad this recipe worked for you! Thank you for your review!
Harry
Did you serve this with bok Chou?
Sandy
I did. Is that weird? I just love it!
Linda Dunayer
How many hens can i cook at once? I have an 8 qt pot?
Sandy
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.
Monica
Can you just use one? As it is just me i am looking for recipes for one or two 😉 Thank you.
Sandy
Hi Monica, yes, this recipe is for one hen. Others can double it in their 6 qt or larger pot.
Phyllis Denner
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?
Sandy
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?
Shawn Hill
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.
Tim
Hi, is the hen frozen or thawed?
Thanks
Sandy
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.
Crystal
Do you know what time and liquids would be needed to do 2 hens in a 6 quart IP?
Sandy
Hi Crystal, the times will be the same, and you can add 1 cup of broth/water. Double the seasonings, etc.
Katie
THANK YOU FOR THIS!!! I just panicked realizing I was making twice the hens!