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Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Game Hen

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If you’re looking for a show-stopping yet effortless meal, this Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Game Hen recipe is a must-try! Cornish hens are small, tender, and packed with flavor, making them the perfect alternative to a full-sized chicken when you’re cooking for fewer people or want a touch of elegance on your table. With just a few simple steps and ingredients, your Instant Vortex Plus will have you serving up a perfectly roasted hen with crispy, golden skin and juicy meat.

cornish game hen

Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Game Hen

One of the best parts about this recipe? It works whether your hens are thawed or frozen. The combination of melted butter and a sprinkle of Season All creates a savory, flavorful crust, while the rotisserie setting ensures even cooking and irresistible crispiness. Pair it with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables or buttery mashed potatoes for a complete, mouthwatering meal.

Using the Instant Vortex Plus for this recipe makes it incredibly simple. The built-in rotisserie spit keeps the hen turning for even browning, and the roast setting does all the heavy lifting. With minimal prep and just 50 minutes of cook time, you’ll have a restaurant-quality dinner ready to impress family or guests. Don’t forget to let the hen rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in all those flavorful juices!

cornish game hen

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality Results at Home: The rotisserie function of the Instant Vortex Plus ensures that your Cornish game hen comes out with perfectly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat—no need for fancy techniques or equipment.


Effortless and Versatile: Whether you’re working with thawed or frozen hens, this recipe is easy to execute. The simple seasoning of butter and Season All highlights the natural flavor of the hen, but you can easily customize it with your favorite spice blends or marinades.


Perfect for Any Occasion: Cornish game hens are a great way to elevate a meal without a lot of extra work. They’re the perfect size for individual servings, making them ideal for holidays, special occasions, or even an indulgent weeknight dinner. Plus, they look gorgeous served whole!

instant vortex plus cornish hen

How to make Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Game Hen

  • Put your roast on the rotisserie spit
  • Baste your hen with melted butter and sprinkle with season all
  • If your hen is a bit on the larger side you may need to truss your hen.
  • Insert into your Vortex.
  • Set the temperature to Roast 350 degrees and set the time for 50 min.
  • Make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
  • Remove from the spit and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving. 
instant vortex plus cornish hen

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t Skip the Trussing: If your Cornish game hen is on the larger side, trussing (tying the legs and wings) is essential. This step helps the bird cook evenly and prevents the wings or legs from overcooking or hitting the inside of the air fryer during rotation.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: For perfectly cooked meat, make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or thigh without touching the bone. This ensures your hen is cooked through and safe to eat.
  • Add Extra Flavor: While the butter and Season All create a deliciously simple taste, you can elevate the flavor by adding fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) under the skin or mixing garlic and lemon zest into the butter before basting.
  • Adjust Cooking Time for Size: If your hens are on the smaller side, start checking for doneness at the 40-minute mark. Larger hens may take the full 50 minutes or a bit longer.
  • Let It Rest: After removing the hen from the rotisserie spit, let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
instant vortex plus cornish hen

FAQs

If you don’t have Season All, you can make your own seasoning blend with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Feel free to customize with herbs or spices to suit your taste!

Trussing involves tying the legs together and tucking the wings under the bird. This step prevents loose parts from flopping around in the air fryer and ensures even cooking. You can use kitchen twine or silicone trussing bands.

Absolutely! If you don’t want to use the rotisserie spit, simply place the hen in the air fryer basket, breast side up, and follow the same cooking instructions. You might want to flip the bird halfway through for even browning.

instant vortex plus cornish game hen
instant vortex plus cornish game hen long pin
instant vortex plus cornish hen

Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Hen

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

This Instant Vortex Plus Cornish Game Hen recipe is incredibly easy to make and is packed with so much flavor. You will fall in love with the crispy outside with the moist tender inside. Cooking your cornish hen in the Instant Vortex Plus gives you a perfectly roasted game hen every single time.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 Cornish Game Hens (can be thawed or frozen)
  • Season All
  • ¼ Cup Melted Butter

Instructions

    1. Put your roast on the rotisserie spit
    2. Baste your hen with melted butter and sprinkle with season all
    3. If your hen is a bit on the larger side you may need to truss your hen.
    4. Insert into your Vortex.
    5. Set the temperature to Roast 350 degrees and set the time for 50 min.
    6. Make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
    7. Remove from the spit and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

** If you are doing more hens than will fit on your rotisserie spit, you can opt to cook them on your trays. Place skin side down and cook for 25 minutes. Flip carefully, rebaste if needed. Cook for an additional 25 minutes. Check the temperature for doneness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 435Total Fat: 35gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 199mgSodium: 268mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 29g

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3 Comments

  1. This was helpful!! I used 2 and ysed the trays so the different versions was helpful. I ended up using the juices to baste as well.

  2. Big question, stumped for an answer. I have a game hen that’s similar to cornish hens only it’s double the size, 6 pounds. I would like to use the Vortex to air fry this hen using the trays. I can’t find any answers and seeing as I always use your tips and suggestions that are great, I’m asking you or anyone out here if they have a recipe suggestion. Thank you very much for your time and help with making me a wonderful cook.

  3. Great recipe!
    I suggest just tossing in 2 lemon slices and 4-5 cloves of garlic into the cavity and making sure to pin those legs down!

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