Cody Casey
Cooking two Cornish hens in a crock pot is a convenient and tasty way to prepare a family meal. The Cornish hen is a breed of chicken that originated in Cornwall, England, and is known for its tender and flavorful meat. The slow cooker infuses the hens with rich flavors, resulting in moist and succulent meat that falls off the bone. This method of cooking is ideal for busy weeknights as it requires little preparation and minimal cleanup. The cooking time for two Cornish hens in a crock pot is typically around 4 hours on high heat or 6 to 8 hours on low heat, depending on the specific recipe and your crock pot's settings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Cornish hens | 2 |
| Cooking time | 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high |
| Marinating time | 20-30 minutes or overnight |
| Internal temperature | 165°F |
| Ingredients | Onion, chicken broth, butter, rosemary, garlic, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning and prep
Cornish hens are a specific breed of chicken, weighing between one and two pounds and less than five weeks old. They are often male and are never true game birds. You can usually find them in the meat or frozen section of grocery stores, labelled as "Cornish Game Hens".
To season and prep two Cornish hens in a crock pot, you will need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to prepare. First, you do not need to wash the Cornish hens before cooking them. Check the inner cavity of the hens and remove any bags that may contain organs. Season the hens with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices such as onion powder, paprika, thyme, and rosemary.
Next, prepare your crock pot by slicing onions and/or potatoes in half and placing them flat side down. These will act as a base for the hens to rest on and prevent the bottom of the hens from turning mushy. You can also add butter pieces for moisture and flavour. Place each hen on top of two onion halves and pour any desired marinade over them. You can marinate the hens beforehand by placing them in a resealable bag with the marinade and leaving them in the refrigerator for at least 20-30 minutes or even overnight.
Finally, cover the crock pot and turn it on. You can cook the hens on low power for 6-[8] hours or on high power for 3.5-4 hours. Some crock pots can automatically switch from high to low power after a couple of hours, which is useful if you will be gone for longer than 6 hours.
After cooking, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the hens has reached 165°F. If desired, you can crisp the skin by transferring the hens to an oven-safe dish and broiling for a few minutes until golden brown.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for two Cornish hens in a crock pot varies depending on the desired temperature setting. On the "LOW" setting, the hens should cook for around 6-8 hours. On the "HIGH" setting, the cooking time is reduced to 3.5-4 hours.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific crock pot or slow cooker being used. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the hens to ensure they are cooked thoroughly. The target internal temperature should be 165°F.
Additionally, it is advised to avoid cooking frozen Cornish hens in a crock pot or slow cooker. This is because it takes longer to reach a food-safe internal temperature of 165°F, allowing bacteria to breed and potentially making the food unsafe to eat.
To achieve a crispy skin, the cooked hens can be transferred to a baking sheet and placed under the broiler for a few minutes after they have finished cooking in the crock pot.
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Using a meat thermometer
Insert the thermometer into the inner thigh of the hen to check the temperature. If you are cooking more than one hen in your crockpot, check the temperature of each one to ensure they have all reached the required temperature.
If you like your meat fall-off-the-bone tender, you may want to cook your hens for an hour or so longer than it takes to reach 165°F. However, be sure to keep a close eye on the cooking process to avoid overcooking the meat.
Some recipes recommend cooking the hens until the internal temperature reaches 180°F. At this temperature, the meat will still be tender and juicy, but it may not fall off the bone in the same way.
It's important to note that crockpots can vary, so it's a good idea to test the cooking time in your specific crockpot and adjust as needed. Additionally, if you are cooking frozen Cornish hens, it is not safe to cook them in a slow cooker, as it will take too long to reach the required internal temperature, allowing bacteria to breed and potentially making the food unsafe to eat.
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Serving suggestions
There are several ways to serve crockpot Cornish hens. They can be served with rice—Lebanese rice, wild rice, or chicken-flavoured rice made with leftover broth. They also go well with roasted vegetables, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, or a small side salad. For a crispier skin, you can place the hens under the broiler for a few minutes before serving.
You can also serve the hens with broccoli, baby red potatoes, and baby carrots. If you want to add some spice, you can include some cayenne pepper. For dessert, you could serve a sour cream chocolate bundt cake or a butter pecan bundt cake.
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Storage and reheating
Storing and Reheating Your Cornish Game Hens
Storage
Once your Cornish hens are cooked, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you don't plan on eating them within that time frame, you can also freeze the cooked hens for up to four months.
Reheating
There are a few ways to reheat your Cornish hens, depending on your desired level of crispness and the equipment you have available.
Oven: Place the hens in an oven-safe dish, adding a little chicken broth to keep them moist. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 325°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
Broiler: Transfer the cooked hens to a shallow oven-safe baking dish. Place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve a crispy skin. Be sure to watch carefully to prevent over-browning.
Air Fryer: Place the hens in an air fryer at 350°F and cook until the skin is crisp.
Microwave: If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat small portions in the microwave. However, this method may not yield the same level of crispness as the previous methods.
Tips for Optimal Taste and Texture
For the best results, it is recommended to let the hens rest for about 5 minutes after removing them from the crockpot. This helps retain moisture and ensures juicy meat. Additionally, always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the hens, which should reach 165°F to be considered safe for consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook two Cornish hens in a crock pot/slow cooker for 4 hours on a high setting or 6-8 hours on a low setting.
The Cornish hens should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
The skin should turn golden brown and crispy, and the juices should run clear. The meat should be opaque and no longer pink.
No, it is not safe to cook frozen poultry in a slow cooker because it takes longer to reach a food-safe internal temperature, and bacteria may breed during this time.
