A Cornish hen is a small fryer that weighs 1 to 2 lbs. Like all forms of chicken, Cornish hens need to be properly handled to avoid food-borne illness. Part of this process is the defrosting of a frozen bird. The microwave allows you to thaw your hen immediately before cooking it. In the microwave, defrosting will take less than 20 minutes.
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Step 1
Remove the Cornish hen from the packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. There is no need to wash the chicken prior to cooking it.
Step 2
Set the plate in the microwave. Turn the oven on following the instructions provided with the microwave for defrost. For example, some units have a switch or button that indicate the defrost cycle. Run the microwave for five minutes on the defrost cycle.
Step 3
Turn the hen over on the plate. Defrost it for an additional three minutes.
Step 4
Leave the hen in the microwave for 10 minutes once the defrost cycle ends. This will complete the thawing.
