How to Deep-Fry Cornish Hens

Cornish game hens are a smaller version of the chicken, but the female and male hens have muscular breasts and short legs. Generally, Cornish game hens weigh 1 1/2 to 2 lbs. after field dressing (butchering). Deep-frying is just one way to cook Cornish hens, but it is the quickest way to prepare the hens.

Things You'll Need

• Cornish hens
• Paper towels
• Oven
• Vegetable oil
• Deep fryer
• Meat thermometer
• Tongs
• Cookie sheet
• Salt
• Pepper
• Stockpot
• Slotted spoon

Instructions

Deep Fryer

1. Wash the hens and pat them dry with paper towels. Let the hens sit out on the counter to warm to room temperature for one hour before placing in the oil.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit if making more than one Cornish hen. You will use the oven to keep the hens warm after you've cooked them.

3. Pour vegetable oil into the deep fryer up to the fill line. Raise the basket and close the cover. Preheat the deep fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Wait for the deep fryer light to come on, indicating the fryer is ready. Open the cover. Place the hen in the basket. Lower the basket into the oil. Close the cover.

5. Fry the Cornish game hen for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Open the cover and raise the basket. Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest park of the hen away from the bone. The hen is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Use the tongs to remove the hen from the fryer and place it on the cookie sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Place the hen and cookie sheet in the oven to keep it warm while you make the rest of the hens.

Stockpot Deep Frying

1. Wash the hens and pat them dry with paper towels. Let the hens sit out on the counter to warm to room temperature for one hour before placing in the oil.

2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit if making more than one hen. You will use the oven to keep the hens warm while you fry more.

3. Place the stockpot on the stove burner. Pour 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil into the pot. Turn on the burner and heat the oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (high heat).

4. Place the hen in the oil and fry for about 12 minutes, turning the hen occasionally with tongs. The hen is golden brown when done. Remove the hen from the oil using a slotted spoon and tongs. Insert the thermometer in the thickest part of the Cornish hen away from the bone. If the internal temperature is 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the hen is done.

5. Place the hen on the cookie sheet. Salt and pepper to taste and place in the preheated oven to keep it warm while frying more hens.

References

• Cd Kitchen: Deep-Fried Cornish Game Hen Recipe