Cider Herb Spiced Cornish Hens

These Cider Herb Spiced Cornish Hens are marinated in a mixture of apple cider, fresh herbs, brown sugar, maple syrup and spice, then coated in a homemade spice rub and pressure cooked until tender.   

 

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I have to admit, this year’s Holiday season is a strange one. We’ve operated (and survived) nearly an entire year of chaos and uncertainty. And, if you ask me, that’s something to be celebrated. Seriously, we should be standing on rooftops screaming “WE MADE IT!!!”.

Though next year holds its own ambiguity, I invite you to put that aside for a minute. Slow down the clock and don’t underestimate the power a holiday celebration has. Fresh baked pies, Thanksgiving parades, Christmas lights and glasses of bubbly have a way of lifting the spirit and infusing us with pure joy, and maybe even a little hope. Isn’t that what we all need?

I know most of us won’t get the chance to celebrate this season with our loved ones and that’s not easy. But, I encourage you to still make room for festivity, even if it’s just a little.

Today’s recipe, Cider Herb-Spiced Cornish Hens, is an offering to those who are looking for a smaller, yet still grand and elegant alternative to big birds and oversized hams. Whether you’re celebrating with a friend, partner or alone, a decadent meal is still so well-deserved!

How to Make Cornish Hens

Okay, it’s time to get down to business! This spiced cornish hens recipe is made in 5 simple, super straight-forward steps: prepping the hens, marinating, spice rubbing, pressure cooking and, finally, a quick air-fry. Because these birds are very small, they cook quickly and it’s beyond easy to secure tender, juicy meat and crisp skin.

Before you begin cooking, I encourage you to prepare your hens and assemble both the marinade and the spice rub. The better you’re prepared, the easier everything will be!

Here’s what you’ll need to have ready-to-go:

CORNISH HENS

Most markets carry fresh cornish hens ready to cook. Choose hens that look plump and meaty, with unbroken, smooth, unblemished skin. A freshly-bought hen should be stored in the refrigerator and cooked within 48 hours of purchase. Allow the hens to sit out at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

* If you’re starting with frozen hens, place them in a bowl and allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

APPLE CIDER & HERB MARINADE

This marinade is how the magic is made! The apple cider, dark brown sugar and maple syrup infuse the hens with a subtle, earthy sweetness. Apple cider vinegar adds an acidic component while also helping to tenderize the meat. Onion and garlic layer in a pungent, aromatic element. Thyme and rosemary is what brings that fresh, herbaceous quality to the hens.

Tip: I highly recommend allowing the hens to marinate overnight! This ensures that the most amount of flavor will be infused into both the skin and the meat.

HOMEMADE SPICE RUB

Once removed from the marinade and dried, the hens are begging for a little extra flavor! Paprika adds a smoky heat and helps to create a caramel-colored skin. More rosemary and thyme are added to really make sure that the herb flavor is present throughout the hen. Olive oil layers on a bit of fat that will crisp up the skin and add a subtle floral flavor.

Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper! We want lots of bright, sharp flavor people!

TIP: After pressure cooking the hens, be sure to properly drain and clean the Instant Pot. You don’t want any rogue bits burning during the air frying process. But don’t throw anything out! Anything left in the pot can be used to make an incredible gravy.

What to Serve with Them

Spiced cornish hens can be served on their own as a light, yet satisfying meal! But, I suggest going the extra mile to create a little (or not so little) spread. Why? Because we all deserve a little extravagance this year!

Just to get the ball rolling, here are a few of my FAVORITE holiday (or weeknight) sides:

• Honey Glazed Carrots
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Auntie Rose’s Cornbread Dressing

Best Holiday Recipes

After a year of way too many ups and downs, we all deserve a rich, over-the-top, decadently-delicious meal. So, don’t stop with a couple hens! Using a few of my BEST recipes, dress up your table and indulge in a Holiday dinner you’ll never forget.

Here are a few to get ya started:

• Fried Turkey
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Honey Glazed Ham
• Seafood Dressing
• Pollo Asado
• Apple Cider Glazed Chicken
• Coke Glazed Cornish Hens