Best 8 Cooking Cornish Game Hens Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Cornish game hens, also known as rock Cornish game hens, are small chickens that are typically served whole. They are a popular dish for special occasions, as they are relatively easy to prepare and can be roasted, grilled, or fried. Cornish game hens have a mild flavor and tender meat, making them a versatile dish that can be paired with various seasonings and sides.

This article features a collection of Cornish game hen recipes that offer a range of flavors and cooking methods to suit different preferences. From the classic roasted Cornish game hen with garlic and herbs to the more adventurous stuffed Cornish game hen with wild rice and dried fruit, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a delicious and memorable meal. Whether you are looking for a simple weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for a special occasion, these Cornish game hen recipes have something for everyone.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY



Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary image

Crusty garlic bread and a nice light Chianti wine complement this meal very well.

Provided by MOONANDBACK

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 Cornish game hens
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, quartered
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
⅓ cup white wine
⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each hen. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes.
  • Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.3 calories, Carbohydrate 9.7 g, Cholesterol 339.7 mg, Fat 57.5 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 59.4 g, SaturatedFat 14.6 g, Sodium 1382.6 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

CORNISH HENS THE EASY WAY



Cornish Hens the Easy Way image

This recipe is so simple, and it adds a little zest to your Cornish Hens.

Provided by Mary Fortman

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Cornish game hens
2 limes, halved
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
kosher salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Rub each hen with a lime half. Drizzle the hens with olive oil, and season with chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, and pepper. Place hens on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Roast hens 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue roasting 30 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332.4 calories, Carbohydrate 3.8 g, Cholesterol 151 mg, Fat 23.5 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 556.5 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS



Baked Cornish Game Hens image

Cornish game hens stuffed with a vegetable mixture, then roasted. A Cornish game hen recipe that I found and tweaked a bit for the taste and size of our small family, but it would be very easy to adjust it to fit your needs. It goes well with oven-roasted potatoes.

Provided by JMRYGH

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 Cornish game hens
½ cup melted butter
½ onion, chopped
½ stalk celery, chopped
¼ green bell pepper, chopped
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup melted butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano and parsley.
  • Season hens inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with equal amounts butter/vegetable mixture. Place stuffed birds in a 9x13 inch baking dish, breast side up. Drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter.
  • Cover dish and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove cover and brown at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 476.2 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 166.8 mg, Fat 45.2 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 24.8 g, Sodium 421 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

CORNISH HENS



Cornish Hens image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 large Spanish onion, sliced
2 Cornish hens
Cornbread Stuffing, recipe follows
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups cornbread
1 celery stalk, diced
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Place the sliced onion in the bottom of a roasting pan. Remove the giblets from the hens, and rinse them inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outsides dry. Place the hens on top of the sliced onion.
  • Pack the cavities of the hens with the cornbread stuffing.
  • Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the hens. Rub the hens with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Roast the hens for 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.
  • Melt the butter in a large saute pan. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Break the cornbread into pieces and place the pieces in a large bowl. Add the onion mixture to the cornbread. Add the celery, chicken stock, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix together.
  • Yield: 2 servings

SLOW COOKER CORNISH HENS



Slow Cooker Cornish Hens image

This is my fiance's favorite slow cooker meal of mine. I usually serve it with the veggies over wild rice. You can turn this recipe for 2 into 4 by splitting the hens lengthwise after cooking.

Provided by No Subject

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 4h20m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 Cornish game hens
1 (10.75 ounce) can golden mushroom soup (such as Campbell's®), divided
2 cups chopped baby portobello mushrooms
1 (7 ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, drained and chopped
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Steps:

  • Coat the hens with about 1/4 of the mushroom soup.
  • Mix the remaining mushroom soup with mushrooms, olives, zucchini, and garlic salt in a bowl. Stuff the mixture inside the hens. Arrange hens, breast sides up, in the slow cooker. Spoon any remaining soup mixture over the hens.
  • Cook the hens in the slow cooker on High for 4 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 851.2 calories, Carbohydrate 24.5 g, Cholesterol 308 mg, Fat 57.6 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 59.5 g, SaturatedFat 14.4 g, Sodium 4201.3 mg, Sugar 6 g

GRILLED CORNISH GAME HENS



Grilled Cornish Game Hens image

This recipe is great for summertime grilling. Game hens will melt in your mouth.

Provided by Suzanne

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 5h15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
1 cup lemon juice
½ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon salt
4 (1 1/2 pound) Cornish game hens

Steps:

  • In a large, non-reactive bowl, mix onion, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, white wine, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, pepper, celery salt, and salt. Place Cornish game hens in the bowl, coating evenly with the marinade mixture. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 4 hours.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate.
  • Cook hens about 1 hour on the prepared grill, brushing occasionally with remaining marinade, until no longer pink and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 871 calories, Carbohydrate 8.5 g, Cholesterol 302.4 mg, Fat 69.2 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 52.1 g, SaturatedFat 15.4 g, Sodium 1124.2 mg, Sugar 2.3 g

CORNISH GAME HENS



Cornish Game Hens image

A wonderful recipe for a special night or just something that you want to make fast.This taste really good with wild rice.

Provided by Kim19068

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 teaspoons salt
2 Cornish hens, thawed
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup white wine
1/2 teaspoon tarragon

Steps:

  • Sprinkle Salt on each Hen.
  • Place Hen on a shallow baking pan.
  • Mix butter, wine and the tarragon in a bowl.
  • Pour 1/4 of the mixture over each hen.
  • Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
  • Pour 1/2 of the remaining butter mixture over each hen and bake 25 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 781.9, Fat 54, SaturatedFat 31.2, Cholesterol 339.5, Sodium 2899.3, Carbohydrate 3.3, Sugar 1.2, Protein 48.6

CORNISH GAME HENS FOR TWO



Cornish Game Hens for Two image

"These hens taste wonderful. They're just the right thing to serve when you're having company over. Your guest will think you spent the whole day in the kitchen!" Kara de la Vega - Santa Rosa, CA

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 Cornish game hen (20 to 24 ounces), split lengthwise
1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons thawed orange juice concentrate
1 tablespoon slivered almonds, toasted
1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients; sprinkle over hen halves. In a small skillet, cook hen halves over medium-high heat in oil until browned on both sides. Transfer to an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish; set aside and keep warm., In the same skillet, saute green onion and garlic until tender. Stir in broth and orange juice concentrate; pour over hen halves. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until meat is tender and juices run clear. To serve, drizzle with pan juices and sprinkle with almonds and parsley.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Brine the hens: Soaking the hens in a brine solution before cooking helps to enhance their flavor and keep them moist. You can use a simple brine made with water, sugar, and salt. For a more flavorful brine, add herbs and spices like garlic, thyme, rosemary, and peppercorns.
  • Dry the hens thoroughly: Before cooking the hens, make sure they are completely dry. Patting them dry with paper towels helps ensure that the skin will crisp up nicely in the oven.
  • Use a roasting pan with a rack: This allows the hens to cook evenly and prevents them from sitting in their own juices. If you don't have a roasting pan with a rack, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
  • Season the hens generously: Don't be afraid to season the hens liberally with salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices. You can also rub the hens with butter or olive oil to help them brown.
  • Roast the hens at a high temperature: This helps to create a crispy skin and juicy meat. The exact cooking temperature and time will depend on the size of the hens, so be sure to check the recipe carefully.
  • Rest the hens before carving: Once the hens are cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Cornish game hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for any occasion. With their tender meat and crispy skin, they are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Whether you are roasting them in the oven, grilling them, or cooking them in a slow cooker, there are many ways to prepare this tasty dish. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal that is sure to impress, give Cornish game hens a try!

Related Topics