Description
Roasted Cornish Hens are the perfect dish for any occasion, offering tender, flavorful meat with crispy skin. Whether for a Thanksgiving feast or a cozy family dinner, these Cornish hens are easy to prepare and delicious to serve. With various flavor variations and creative sides, they’re sure to impress your guests and elevate your meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Roasted Cornish Hens:
- 2 whole Cornish hens (about 1.5 pounds each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 lemon, halved
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
For Barbecued Cornish Hens:
- 2 Cornish hens, split in half
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons BBQ rub
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Herb Roasted Cornish Hens:
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
How to Roast Cornish Hens:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Rinse the hens under cold water and pat dry. Rub with olive oil and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Stuff the cavity of each hen with half a lemon.
- Place hens in a roasting pan. Pour chicken broth around them and roast for 45–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
- Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges for a festive touch.
For Barbecued Cornish Hens:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Split the hens in half and rub with olive oil, BBQ rub, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the hens, skin-side down, for 25–30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes. Brush with barbecue sauce in the last 5 minutes of grilling.
- Let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving.
For Herb Roasted Cornish Hens:
- Prepare as you would in the basic recipe but replace garlic and lemon with rosemary, thyme, and sage.
- Stuff the cavity with fresh herbs and drizzle with olive oil before roasting.
Notes
- Tip: Pat the hens dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin.
- Don’t overcrowd the roasting pan: Give each hen space to cook evenly.
- Basting: Baste the hens every 20 minutes with their own juices or melted butter for extra moisture and flavor.
- Freezing Tip: Freeze uncooked hens by wrapping them tightly in plastic and cooking straight from frozen, increasing the cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Roasted, Grilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hen
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Roasted Cornish Hens, Cornish Game Hens, Herb Roasted Cornish Hens, Barbecued Cornish Hens, Thanksgiving Hens