Imagine serving a restaurant-quality meal that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and takes less than an hour to prepare. These Instant Pot Cornish Hens are about to revolutionize your dinner game! Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two or want to wow your guests with a gourmet dish, this recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking, "How did you make this?"
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, halved
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the Cornish hens. Rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This step helps to ensure a crispy skin during cooking.
- In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the Cornish hens, making sure to coat them evenly for maximum flavor.
- Next, take the halved lemon and squeeze the juice over the hens, ensuring that some juice gets inside the cavity as well. Place the squeezed lemon halves inside the cavity of each hen along with the fresh thyme sprigs. This will infuse the hens with a delightful citrus and herb flavor.
- Set your Instant Pot to the 'Sauté' mode. Once it’s hot, carefully place the Cornish hens in the pot, breast side down, and sear them for about 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown. This step adds depth of flavor and enhances the appearance of the dish.
- After searing, remove the hens from the pot and set them aside. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze it and release any browned bits. This will help prevent the burn notice during pressure cooking.
- Return the Cornish hens to the pot, placing them on a trivet if you have one, or directly in the broth. Ensure that they are arranged in a way that allows steam to circulate around them.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Select the 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' setting and adjust the time to 25 minutes. The pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully switch the valve to the venting position to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the lid and check the internal temperature of the hens with a meat thermometer. It should read at least 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption. If they need more cooking time, you can seal the pot and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the Cornish hens from the pot and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
- To serve, you can garnish the hens with additional fresh thyme or lemon slices for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your delicious Instant Pot Cornish hens with your favorite sides!
Tips
- • Always pat the Cornish hens completely dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden skin. • Don't skip the searing step - it builds incredible flavor and creates a beautiful exterior. • Use a meat thermometer to guarantee perfectly cooked, safe-to-eat poultry every time. • Let the hens rest after cooking to keep the meat tender and juicy. • For extra flavor, experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary or sage. • If you don't have fresh thyme, dried herbs can work as a substitute. • Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 180mg
