Instant Pot Cornish Hens from Frozen

Name: Instant Pot Cornish Hen from Frozen
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 Cornish hen (frozen); 1 cup beef broth; 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder; 1-2 tablespoons smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons avocado oil

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Ever realize that you forgot to thaw something for Sunday lunch? Don’t despair because we are going to show you one of the quickest ways to have some nice, small-batch chicken in a pinch with our INSTANT POT CORNISH HENS FROM FROZEN recipe. You can make this from fresh or frozen, but if you’re like me and forgot to thaw, the frozen instructions will be for you! We’re going to show you both ways, though, so in less than an hour you’ll be getting a lovely Cornish hen to the table.

A fork holds a piece of shredded chicken above a whole roasted chicken on a plate. In the background are a pair of blue and white salt and pepper shakers and a vase with white flowers.

This fits well for small-batch cooking, but if you are cooking for a larger group, you can actually fit two Cornish hens in your Instant Pot, if you are using a 6-quart or larger unit. You’ll just want to be sure to double your seasoning. If your hen is larger than a pound, or if you’re using two, you’ll need to set to the 50 minute mark from frozen. Once it’s done, pop it under the broiler on high for two or three minutes to get it to a gorgeous brown.

Much like our recipe for making INSTANT POT BABY BACK RIBS, we always love to show you simple recipes that seem complicated, but really aren’t!

Ingredients

One or two hens, simple seasonings, broth and avocado oil. That’s it! Couldn’t be easier, and the Instant Pot helps you get it perfect every time.

A whole roasted chicken with golden, seasoned skin sits on a plate. A knife and fork are partially visible to the side. Blue and white ceramic containers are in the background.

What You’ll Need

1 or 2 frozen Cornish hens.
Beef or chicken broth.
Salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme and pepper.
Avocado oil.

See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.

Why You Will Love These Instant Pot Cornish Hens from Frozen

Great in a pinch – even if you’ve forgotten to thaw, you can get these hens to the table in under an hour. Fresh or frozen!
Works for small or large batches – use one hen for a smaller group or up it to two with doubled seasonings for a larger bunch of folks!
Easy in the Instant Pot – the amazing Instant Pot gets you quick, consistent results.

Instructions

This is a busy persons dream recipe. I forget to thaw all of the time. My IP is great for my forgetfulness and will be for yours too!

A hand pours liquid from a carton into a metal pot with a rack inside, placed on a wooden countertop next to a raw chicken and an empty glass bowl, beside a stovetop.

In the liner of your instant pot, add in beef or chicken broth.

A person holds three spice jars labeled thyme ground, garlic powder, and smoked paprika over a wooden counter next to a pot with liquid and a metal rack on a stove.

Prepare your seasonings; ground thyme, garlic powder and smoked paprika.

A person pours oil from a bottle onto a raw chicken breast held over a metal bowl on a wooden countertop near spice jars and a stove.

Drizzle avocado oil over frozen Cornish hen.

A person grinds pepper into a bowl of spices next to a large piece of meat resting on a rack inside an Instant Pot on a wooden countertop beside a stovetop.

Combine seasonings in a small bowl and mix well.

A person is seasoning a piece of meat in a metal pot on a wooden countertop. There are spice containers, a small wooden lid, a spoon, and a gas stove visible in the background.

Sprinkle half of the seasonings on one side of the hen.

A seasoned piece of meat sits on a rack inside a metal pot on a wooden countertop, next to a stove with black grates. A round wooden container is also visible on the left.

Season the other side and place in the liner on a trivet breast side up. Lock the lid, seal the vent and pressure cook for 45 minutes for one, 1 hour for two. See tips!

A person’s hand sprays liquid on a cooked whole chicken resting on a wire rack over a small baking sheet, with a pot of brown liquid nearby on a wooden countertop.

Allow the pressure to naturally release for about 10 minutes and carefully release remaining pressure. Spray with a bit of avocado oil.

A whole roasted chicken sits on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Next to it is a folded gray kitchen towel on a wooden countertop, with parts of a stove visible on both sides.

Place under the broiler to crisp up skin for 2-3 minutes.

A close-up of a fork holding a piece of cooked chicken breast above a plate with a whole roasted chicken. In the background are blue and white salt and pepper shakers and a vase with white flowers.

Allow to rest a few minutes before serving. Internal temperature at the thickest part of the hen should be 165°.

Why Brooke loves this recipe!

Recipes are like antiques. They are meant to be handed down from one generation to another. Each one holding a special memory or nostalgic memory. Here is why we love this one!

It doesn’t matter if Sunday lunch sneaks up on you and you’ve forgotten to thaw! Gather up your frozen hens, our simple seasonings, and your trusty Instant Pot, and you will be serving up beautiful, succulent Cornish hens in under an hour. You’ll be a lunchtime super hero, and everyone will be happy with full bellies!

A whole roasted chicken sits on a beige plate, seasoned with spices. Blue and white ceramic containers and a vase with white flowers are visible in the background.

Substitutions

With this simple recipe, I can think of a few customizations to help get you started.

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Broth – you can use beef broth, chicken broth or even water. You just want a cup of liquid added in.
Spice – while we are partial to our seasoning mix, feel free to add in your favorites, and adjust to taste.
Oil – avocado or olive oil works best, so take your pick or use whichever you have on hand.

Equipment

🔧 I love to share recipes that are no special equipment required but here are a few things that would definitely make this recipe easier!

Storage Tips

You can store this dish covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before use.
To reheat: put hens in a pan with a half cup of water. Cover them with foil and place in the oven at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes.

A whole cooked chicken with seasoning sits on a plate next to two blue and white patterned salt and pepper shakers. A fork rests under one side of the chicken.

⭐ LOVE THIS RECIPE? It would mean so very much to me if you would take a moment to rate this recipe and leave me a sweet comment in the recipe card below! ❤️❤️We hope you love all of the Southern and healthy recipes we share here at The Buttered Home and would love to see you back here often!

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A whole roasted chicken with browned skin sits on a round plate next to a knife and fork. The background includes a glass container with herbs, slightly out of focus.

Instant Pot Cornish Hen from Frozen

Nice, small-batch chicken, perfectly seasoned and done in a pinch in your Instant Pot! Whether fresh or frozen, in less than an hour you'll be bringing a lovely Cornish hen to the table!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 55

Total Time 1

Serving Size

Ingredients

1 Cornish hen frozen
1 cup beef broth
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1-2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil

Want to save this recipe?

We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Instructions

Place the trivet in the liner of your instant pot. Add in beef broth. Drizzle avocado oil over Cornish hen.
1 Cornish hen, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons avocado oil
In a small bowl, combine, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika and thyme. Mix well. Sprinkle half of seasoning mix over one side of hen. Season the other side with remaining mix. Place on trivet breast side up.
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1-2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Attach the lid, lock it and seal. Set to pressure cook for 45 minutes (for one hen) or 60 minutes( for two) Once cooking time has ended, turn the IP to off and allow the pressure to naturally release for about 10 minutes. Carefully release any remaining pressure.
Preheat your broiler. Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the skin. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, serve and enjoy!

See How To Make It!

Notes

**Pro Tip**

To cook two hens, increase your cook time to 1 hour and DOUBLE YOUR SEASONINGS. Most IP’s have plenty of room for more than one hen.

A whole cooked rotisserie chicken sits on a plate with a knife beside it. In the background, there are blue and white containers and a glass with green stems.

🍴 PRO TIP!

If you don’t have a trivet for your Instant Pot, you can always wad up about three pieces of tinfoil into balls and place them in the bottom of your liner, and they will work exactly the same!

🗹 RECIPE FAQ’S

What spices are good with Cornish hens?

Salt, pepper, and paprika are great flavors with the hens. You can use regular, sweet, or smoked paprika. A few minced cloves of garlic and lemon zest can also step up the flavor.

What’s the best internal temperature for a Cornish hen?

The ideal internal temperature for a Cornish hen is 165°F. For the best result, let the hen sit for a few minutes before serving.

What is the difference between a Cornish hen and a regular chicken?

The Cornish hen is just another breed of chicken, typically harvested while young. Many folks consider Cornish hens not as flavorful, but much more tender than regular chicken.

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