Crispy Fried Cornish Hen
Crispy Fried Cornish Hen
Ingredients
For the Cornish Hens
- 2 Cornish hens, whole
For the Wet Batter
- 2 tablespoons dry rub, your preferred blend of herbs and spices
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 egg, large
- 1 packet Sazon seasoning
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
For the Dry Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon dry rub, your preferred blend of herbs and spices
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For Frying
- 4 cups cooking oil, for deep frying, or as needed to fill fryer
For Serving (Optional)
- 4 servings mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup gravy
Instructions
- 1
Place the two whole Cornish hens on a cutting board. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Generously sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the dry rub over both Cornish hens, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Gently rub the seasoning into the skin.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
In a large metal bowl, combine the seasoned Cornish hens. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of dry rub, milk, large egg, Sazon seasoning packet, baking powder, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cornstarch. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with your hands until the Cornish hens are completely coated in a thick, yellow-orange batter.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the batter to adhere.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
While the hens are marinating, prepare the dry coating. In a large Ziploc bag, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of dry rub, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Shake the bag to mix well.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Set up an electric deep fryer and pour in cooking oil. Preheat the oil to 350°F. If using a large pot on the stovetop, use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
Remove one battered Cornish hen from the bowl, allowing any excess wet batter to drip off. Place it into the Ziploc bag with the dry coating mixture. Shake the bag vigorously until the hen is fully coated with the dry mixture, ensuring no wet spots remain.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Carefully place the coated Cornish hen into the preheated oil at 350°F. Fry for 10-12 minutes per side, or until golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350
- 9
Once fried to perfection, remove the hen from the oil using tongs and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the second Cornish hen.
⏱️ 8 min
- 10
Serve the crispy fried Cornish hen immediately, optionally on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Fried Cornish Hen
For the Cornish Hens
- 2 Cornish hens, whole
For the Wet Batter
- 2 tablespoons dry rub, your preferred blend of herbs and spices
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 egg, large
- 1 packet Sazon seasoning
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
For the Dry Coating
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon dry rub, your preferred blend of herbs and spices
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For Frying
- 4 cups cooking oil, for deep frying, or as needed to fill fryer
For Serving (Optional)
- 4 servings mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup gravy
Instructions
- 1
Place the two whole Cornish hens on a cutting board. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Generously sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the dry rub over both Cornish hens, ensuring all surfaces are coated. Gently rub the seasoning into the skin.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
In a large metal bowl, combine the seasoned Cornish hens. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of dry rub, milk, large egg, Sazon seasoning packet, baking powder, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, and cornstarch. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with your hands until the Cornish hens are completely coated in a thick, yellow-orange batter.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Cover the bowl with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the batter to adhere.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
While the hens are marinating, prepare the dry coating. In a large Ziploc bag, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of dry rub, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Shake the bag to mix well.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Set up an electric deep fryer and pour in cooking oil. Preheat the oil to 350°F. If using a large pot on the stovetop, use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
Remove one battered Cornish hen from the bowl, allowing any excess wet batter to drip off. Place it into the Ziploc bag with the dry coating mixture. Shake the bag vigorously until the hen is fully coated with the dry mixture, ensuring no wet spots remain.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Carefully place the coated Cornish hen into the preheated oil at 350°F. Fry for 10-12 minutes per side, or until golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350 - 9
Once fried to perfection, remove the hen from the oil using tongs and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat steps 7 and 8 for the second Cornish hen.
⏱️ 8 min - 10
Serve the crispy fried Cornish hen immediately, optionally on a bed of mashed potatoes with gravy.
⏱️ 2 min