Best 12 Cornish Game Hens In Cranberry Apricot Brandy Sauce Recipes

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Elevate your holiday feast or special occasion with the exquisite flavors of Cornish Game Hens in Cranberry-Apricot-Brandy Sauce. This regal dish features tender and succulent game hens roasted to perfection, complemented by a luscious sauce made from fresh cranberries, sweet apricots, and a hint of brandy. The result is a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave your guests craving for more. This article presents two delectable variations of the recipe: a classic version with a rich and tangy sauce, and a modern rendition with a sweet and savory glaze. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure you create a dish that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones in awe.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLEMENTINE AND CRANBERRY GLAZED CORNISH GAME HENS



Clementine and Cranberry Glazed Cornish Game Hens image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon butter
Zest of 2 clementines plus 1 cup clementine juice
1/2 cup jarred cranberry sauce
1 packed tablespoon brown sugar
1 sprig fresh rosemary
4 Cornish game hens, rinsed and dried
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • In a small saucepan, saute the shallots in the butter over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add in the clementine zest and juice, cranberry, brown sugar and rosemary. Simmer until thick, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  • Season the game hens liberally with salt and pepper. Using a basting brush, paint each bird entirely with the glaze. Cover the wing tips with foil to keep them from blackening too much.
  • Place the glazed birds in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven. Roast for 20 minutes, and then reglaze the birds. Check after 15 more minutes; if the sugars in the glaze are turning too brown, lightly tent the Dutch oven with foil to protect the skins. Baste again after 45 more minutes, then check with an instant-read thermometer after another 5 minutes; the thighs must register at 165 degrees F, the breasts at 170. Let rest for 10 minutes and serve.

APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS FOR TWO



Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens for Two image

I found this easy recipe for Cornish hens and prepare it often for my family. The glaze keeps the hens tender and moist, and the skin roasts to a golden glow. It's tasty, too. When the children are gone for the weekend, my husband and I enjoy this meal-perfect for two.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter, melted, divided
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon grated onion
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Steps:

  • Combine the salt and cayenne. Rub a third of the mixture inside hens. Brush 1 tablespoon butter over hens; sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Place on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the preserves, honey, onion, nutmeg and remaining butter. Cook and stir until preserves are melted. Brush over hens. Bake 35-40 minutes longer or until golden brown and a thermometer reads 180°. Cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts :

CRANBERRY-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS



Cranberry-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens image

Dried cranberries add plenty of flavor to these Cornish game hens.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 ounces rye bread (about 1/2 loaf), trimmed of crust and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small leek, white and pale-green parts only, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced into half-moons, and rinsed well
3 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, wiped clean, and coarsely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage, plus leaves (optional), for garnish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup reduced-fat, low-sodium canned chicken broth
6 Cornish game hens (1 1/2 pounds each)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup port

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out diced bread on a rimmed baking sheet; toastin oven, turning occasionally, until light brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
  • Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add leek, mushrooms, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in bread, chopped sage, parsley, mustard, thyme, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup broth.
  • Spoon stuffing into bird cavities; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Rub birds with butter, then sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Arrange birds on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thighs (avoiding bone) registers 170 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer rack with birds to a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest.
  • Set roasting pan on top of stove across two burners; set heat to medium-high. Add port and remaining 1/4 cup broth; deglaze pan, scraping up any browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries; cook, stirring, until sauce reduces slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Place birds on a serving platter, and drizzle sauce over them. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired, and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 g, Cholesterol 223 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 53 g, Sodium 759 g

CORNISH GAME HENS IN CRANBERRY-APRICOT BRANDY SAUCE



CORNISH GAME HENS IN CRANBERRY-APRICOT BRANDY SAUCE image

Categories     Game     Low Fat     Kid-Friendly     Dinner

Yield 4-6 people

Number Of Ingredients 6

1/2 hen per person (4-6)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 honey
1/2 cup apricot brandy
1/2 cup dried cranberries
cornstarch and cold water to thicken sauce

Steps:

  • 1) Clean and halve the hens. Bake the hens at 375 degrees about 45 minutes. 2) Heat brandy and cranberries over medium heat until simmering. Carefully light brandy and stir until flame goes out. Add honey and vinegar. 3) Mix cornstarch and cold water, thicken with cornstarch as necessary. Serve over hens with wild rice.

EASY CORNISH GAME HENS



Easy Cornish Game Hens image

Make and share this Easy Cornish Game Hens recipe from Food.com.

Provided by -------

Categories     Wild Game

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 baking hens
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 whole onion, chopped fine
1 tablespoon crushed parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Mix all ingredients except hens.
  • Clean & cut hens in half.
  • Pour sauce over hens & bake 1 hour at 350°F.

HERB CORNISH HENS WITH CRANBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE



Herb Cornish Hens with Cranberry-Orange Sauce image

Baked Cornish hens are smothered in a delicious cranberry-orange sauce with a touch of ginger.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 Rock Cornish hens (about 2 lb each)
2 tablespoons roasted garlic-flavored vegetable oil or plain vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (16 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
3 tablespoons sweet orange marmalade
2 teaspoons grated gingerroot
1 clementine tangerine, peeled, sectioned
Thyme sprigs, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. On rack in shallow roasting pan, place hens, breast sides up. Brush with oil. Sprinkle inside and out with salt, dried thyme and pepper. Insert meat thermometer so tip is in thickest part of inside thigh and does not touch bone.
  • Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes until juice of hens is clear when thickest pieces are cut to bone (at least 165°F).
  • Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat cranberry sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Stir in marmalade, gingerroot and clementine sections. Cook 1 minute.
  • To serve, cut each hen in half along backbone and breastbone from tail to neck, using kitchen scissors. Serve hens with warm sauce. Garnish with thyme sprigs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 770, Carbohydrate 29 g, Cholesterol 320 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 0 g, Protein 55 g, SaturatedFat 13 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 470 mg, Sugar 25 g, TransFat 1 g

APRICOT GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Apricot Glazed Cornish Hens image

From my Land-O-Lakes recipe book. Stuffed Cornish Hens with apricot and marjoram glaze add spark to this recipe.

Provided by daisygrl64

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 2h20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 Cornish hens
2 cups dry bread cubes
1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon marjoram leaves
1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup butter (or margarine)
2 -3 tablespoons white wine (or chicken broth)
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
1/2 teaspoon marjoram leaves

Steps:

  • heat oven to 375*F.
  • in a medium bowl mix together all stuffing ingredients (except preserves, butter and wine).
  • in a 1 qt saucepan melt 1/2 cup apricot preserves and 1/4 cup butter, stir into stuffing, add 2 to 3 tablespoons wine to moisten stuffing.
  • stuff hens with stuffing, secure opening with toothpicks.
  • tuck wing under hen, place hens breast side up in roasting pan, bake for 1 hour.
  • meanwhile in same saucepan combine all sauce ingredients.
  • cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until melted (2 to 3 minutes).
  • brush hens with half of sauce and continue baking uncovered for 40 to 50 minutes or until hens are fork tender.
  • if hens browning to quickly cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
  • Serve with remaining sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 786.8, Fat 43.2, SaturatedFat 24, Cholesterol 309, Sodium 852.4, Carbohydrate 49.2, Fiber 1, Sugar 23.6, Protein 50.2

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH SWEET-POTATO RISOTTO AND CRANBERRY SAUCE



Cornish Game Hens with Sweet-Potato Risotto and Cranberry Sauce image

Categories     Cheese     Rice     Bake     High Fiber     Cranberry     Sweet Potato/Yam     Fall     Winter     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup cranberries
1/4 cup ruby Port
2 Cornish game hens, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 pound yams (red-skinned sweet potatoes), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2/3 cup arborio rice or medium-grain rice
1/4 cup dry Riesling wine
2/3 cup mascarpone cheese*
1/4 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated orange peel

Steps:

  • Bring first 4 ingredients to simmer in heavy medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes. Puree sauce in processor. Strain into small bowl. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, cover and chill.)
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Place game hens, cut side down, on small baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Continue baking until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, about 20 minutes longer.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add yams, onion and ginger; sauté until yams are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Cook rice in small saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Drain rice. Add rice to yam mixture in skillet. Add Riesling and stir over low heat to blend. Add mascarpone and stir to melt. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Rewarm sauce. Spoon risotto onto plates. Top with hen. Sprinkle with nuts, parsley and orange peel. Drizzle sauce around risotto.
  • *Italian cream cheese, available at Italian markets and many supermarkets. If unavailable, blend 8 ounces cream cheese with 1/4 cup whipping cream and 2 1/2 tablespoons sour cream. Use 2/3 cup mixture for the recipe.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH APRICOT SAUCE



Cornish Game Hens with Apricot Sauce image

This recipe for moist Cornish hens with apricot sauce comes from Janet Reynolds of Leesburg, Virginia.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dinner Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 Cornish game hens (about 1 1/2 pounds each), patted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 cup dry white wine
1 can (14.5 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 lemons)
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1 1/2 cups couscous

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450. Using kitchen twine, tie hens legs together; tuck wing tips underneath. Rub hens with a total of 1 tablespoon oil and 3/4 teaspoon thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Place hens, breast side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding bone) registers 165, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Cover loosely with aluminum foil; let rest 5 to 10 minutes.
  • While hens are roasting, make sauce: In a large skillet with a lid, heat remaining oil over medium; add onion and garlic, and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine, and simmer until reduced by half, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth, cream, honey, lemon juice, and apricots; raise heat to high, and boil until mixture (including solids) is reduced to 2 cups, 12 to 15 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids. Return sauce to skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, prepare couscous according to package instructions. Add remaining thyme, and season with salt and pepper; fluff with a fork. Halve hens; serve with couscous and sauce.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE



Cornish Game Hens With Cranberry Sauce image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 Cornish game hens, with giblets,each about 1 1/4 pounds
2 tablespoons corn, peanut or vegetable oil
Salt to taste if desired
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 onion, peeled
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon honey
2/3 cup fresh or canned chicken broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  • Put the game hens in a shallow, flameproof baking dish without crowding. Rub the hens all over with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cut the onion in half and place the halves, cut side down, around the hens. Arrange the gizzards and livers around the hens.
  • Place the baking dish with hens on top of the stove over low heat. Turn the hens around in the dish to coat with the oil. Arrange the hens on their sides. Place in the oven and bake 15 minutes, basting often.
  • Turn the hens to other side and continue baking 15 minutes, basting often.
  • Turn the hens breast side up and continue baking about 10 minutes, basting often.
  • Transfer the hens to a heated serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm.
  • Skim off most of the fat from the pan liquid in the baking dish. Put the baking dish on top of the stove and bring the pan liquid to a boil. Add the wine and stir to dissolve any brown particles that may cling to the bottom of the pan. Strain the sauce into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook down to about half and add the honey, chicken broth and tomato paste. Stir. Add any liquid that has accumulated inside or around the hens. Add the cranberries and bring to a boil.
  • Cook until the cranberries pop, about 3 minutes, stirring often. Swirl in the butter. Add salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the hens and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 834, UnsaturatedFat 37 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 57 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 59 grams, SaturatedFat 15 grams, Sodium 1161 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams

APRICOT-GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens image

The sweetness from the apricot preserves combined with Sriracha adds a nice twist on the traditional roasted cornish hen.

Provided by CookingWithShelia

Categories     Cornish Hens

Time 1h25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

cooking spray
1 cup apricot preserves
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon butter
2 (1 1/4 pound) Cornish game hens
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
mango-habanero seasoning to taste
4 sprigs fresh basil, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray a cookie sheet generously with cooking spray.
  • Combine apricot preserves, Sriracha, Worcestershire, and butter in a small pot and melt over medium heat. Stir constantly to prevent from sticking.
  • Clean hens and pat dry with paper towels. Coat outsides and insides with oil. Season with mango-habanero seasoning; insert sprigs of basil inside of the hens.
  • Place hens on the prepared cookie sheet and cover with foil.
  • Cook in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and baste with apricot glaze. Put back in the oven and cook until no longer pink in the centers, about 15 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.8 calories, Carbohydrate 52.9 g, Cholesterol 110.7 mg, Fat 10.2 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 23.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 314.3 mg, Sugar 35.2 g

CRANBERRY-GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Cranberry-Glazed Cornish Hens image

Oregon is noted for its cranberry production and has many bogs throughout the state. In the Northwest, we use cranberries in a great variety of ways-in sauce, as a complement to meats, and in baked goods like cakes and muffins.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 can (10-1/2 ounces) chicken gravy
1/2 cup jellied cranberry sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 Cornish game hens (1-1/2 pounds each)
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooked wild rice
Orange slices

Steps:

  • In 1-qt. saucepan, combine the gravy, cranberry sauce, mustard and orange zest. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until glaze is smooth., Cut hens in half lengthwise; rinse and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on rack with drip pan, skin side down; spoon half of the glaze over hens. , Bake at 400° for 20 minutes. Turn hens; bake 25 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with remaining glaze., Serve on bed of wild rice and garnish with twists of thinly sliced orange.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 63 g fat (17 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 450 mg cholesterol, Sodium 504 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12 g carbohydrate, Fiber trace fiber, Protein 77 g protein.

Tips:

  • Brine the Cornish game hens: This will help them stay moist and flavorful during cooking.
  • Use a flavorful cooking liquid: The combination of cranberry juice, apricot preserves, and brandy in this recipe creates a delicious sauce that infuses the hens with flavor.
  • Cook the hens until they are golden brown and cooked through: Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
  • Let the hens rest before serving: This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful.
  • Serve the hens with your favorite sides: Some popular options include mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.

Conclusion:

Cornish game hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for a variety of occasions. This recipe for Cornish game hens in cranberry-apricot-brandy sauce is a great way to elevate this classic dish. The combination of sweet and savory flavors in the sauce is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you're looking for a special dish to serve, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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