Best 8 Flavorful Cornish Game Hens Recipes

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**Unravel the Culinary Delights of Cornish Game Hens: A Journey Through Exquisite Flavors**

Embark on a tantalizing culinary expedition with Cornish game hens, where succulent meat meets a symphony of herbs and spices. These diminutive birds, often served whole, offer a delectable experience that belies their size. Our collection of recipes takes you on a global culinary adventure, showcasing diverse flavors and cooking techniques that transform these game hens into culinary masterpieces. From the zesty tang of lemon and garlic to the warmth of Mediterranean spices and the alluring smokiness of paprika, each recipe promises a unique flavor profile that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you prefer a classic roasted hen or a more adventurous stuffed and grilled variation, our comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure your Cornish game hen turns out perfectly tender and bursting with flavor. So, prepare to indulge in a delightful culinary journey as you explore the exquisite world of Cornish game hens.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HEN



Roasted Cornish Game Hen image

Crispy, golden skin and moist, flavorful meat make these Roasted Cornish Game Hens a total showstopper!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h20m

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 Cornish game hens (,patted dry with paper towels)
8 thin slices of butter
4 sprigs each of fresh rosemary and thyme (or herbs of choice plus some extra leaves of each)
4 large cloves garlic (,peeled)
1 lemon (,scrubbed well and cut into quarters)
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Pat the hens dry with a paper towel. Use your index finger to loosen the skin on the top of the hen and slip a thin slice of butter under the skin on top of each breast. Add a few rosemary and thyme leaves (or herb of choice). Repeat for each hen. Put a quarter of a lemon in the cavity of each hen along with a clove of garlic and a sprig of fresh rosemary and thyme (or herb of choice). Truss the hens by tying the wings and legs.
  • Rub each hen all over with some extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place then hens on the rack of a roasting pan lined with aluminum foil, spacing them out so they are as far apart from each other as possible. This will enable their skins to get browned and crispy.
  • Place the hens in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes.
  • While the hens are roasting, combine the chicken broth and wine in a bowl.
  • After the hens have been roasting for 25 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Pour the broth/wine mixture over the hens and continue to roast for 30 minutes, basting the hens with the juices at the bottom of the pan every 10 minutes or less. The hens are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. If you prefer darker skins, turn up the temperature to broil for a couple more minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
  • Carefully remove the hens and pour the juices from their cavities into the roasting pan. Transfer the hens to a warmed platter, remove the trussing string, and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm. Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a saucepan and boil for about 5 minutes until the liquid is a thin sauce-like consistency. Serve the hens whole per guest or cut in half lengthwise and place cavity-down on each serving plate. Drizzle the sauce over the hens and garnish with fresh herb sprigs and a slice of lemon. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.5 hen (half), Calories 477 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 38 g, Fat 32 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Cholesterol 229 mg, Sodium 199 mg

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Go for a different kind of bird by stuffing and cooking the Neelys' Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network.

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon-pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly
1 green bell pepper, large dice
2 stalks celery, large dice
1 onion, large dice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

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 GAME HENS WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY



Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary image

The fragrant roasted birds are served with a pan sauce containing whole garlic cloves. Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary. Pour a light Chianti throughout the meal.

Categories     Garlic     Roast     Valentine's Day     Low Carb     Winter     Birthday     Bon Appétit

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound Cornish game hens, giblets removed
1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges
4 large fresh rosemary sprigs
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 garlic cloves, peeled
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup canned low-salt chicken broth
Additional rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Pat hens dry with paper towels. Season cavities lightly with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 rosemary sprig in cavity of each hen. Rub hens with 1 tablespoon oil. Season outside of hens lightly with salt and pepper. Arrange in heavy large roasting pan. Scatter garlic around hens.
  • Roast hens 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Pour wine, broth and remaining 2 tablespoons oil over hens. Continue roasting until hens are golden brown and juices run clear when thigh is pierced at thickest part, basting every 10 minutes with pan juices, about 25 minutes longer.
  • Transfer hens to platter, pouring any juices from cavity into roasting pan. Tent hens with foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic to heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to sauce consistency, about 6 minutes.
  • Cut hens in half lengthwise. Arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with additional rosemary sprigs and serve.

TASTY TARRAGON CORNISH GAME HENS



Tasty Tarragon Cornish Game Hens image

This is a very tasty way to prepare cornish hens. It's another family favorite we've served for years. Tarragon goes so well with poultry.

Provided by Chef Fredo

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h

Yield 1 hen, 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon dried tarragon
1 garlic clove
garlic salt
olive oil (or other oil)
3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken stock)
1 tablespoon dried tarragon

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Make basting sauce by melting butter in small sauce pan and stirring in wine (or broth) and tarrgon.
  • Sprinkle inside of each hen with salt, pepper, tarragon, and garlic.
  • Lightly coat outside of hen with olive (or other) oil.
  • Liberally sprinkle outside of hen with garlic salt.
  • Tie hen legs together if possible (I've also made these without doing this step).
  • Place hens in oven.
  • Let hens cook about 15 minutes before starting to use the basting sauce. After each basting, I will occasionally sprinkle more garlic salt over the hens.
  • Continue to baste hens every 15 minutes or so until done. If hen wings or top start to darken too much, cover those areas with foil.
  • When hens have finished cooking, remove to serving platter.
  • optional - I place the strained drippings in a bowl (skimming off some of the butter) and use this as a 'gravy' for the hens and any suitable rice/potato dish that may accompany them.
  • Use your meat thermometer to determine doneness as it varies according to hen weight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1400.6, Fat 138.8, SaturatedFat 87.6, Cholesterol 366, Sodium 1577.4, Carbohydrate 10.7, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 1.8, Protein 4

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.

JUICY CORNISH GAME HENS



Juicy Cornish Game Hens image

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

Provided by Chuck in Killbuck

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons chili powder
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 Cornish hens, halved
salt and pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Melt butter and stir in honey and chili powder; mixing well.
  • Stir in orange juice, salt and pepper and remove from heat.
  • Cut each hen into two halves.
  • Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Place hens in baking dish, skin side down, and place in oven for 6-8 minutes.
  • Turn hens over and baste generously with all of the mixture.
  • Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until well browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 297.6, Fat 15.9, SaturatedFat 8.4, Cholesterol 139.3, Sodium 227.6, Carbohydrate 14.7, Fiber 1, Sugar 13.4, Protein 24.5

CORNISH HENS



Cornish Hens image

I like this recipe for Cornish hens because it's easy to do and a delicious entrée for two. The basting ingredients result in a beautifully browned hen, sealing in the juices so that it is moist, tender and quite flavorful.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon browning sauce, optional

Steps:

  • Place hens on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Combine the apple juice, soy sauce and browning sauce if desired; pour over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with pan juices.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Brining the Cornish hens: Brining is a great way to infuse flavor and moisture into the meat. For the best results, brine the hens for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight. Use a mixture of water, salt, sugar, and spices like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves for the brine.
  • Stuffing the Cornish hens: Stuffing the hens with aromatic herbs, vegetables, and grains is a great way to add flavor and richness to the dish. Some popular stuffing ingredients include bread cubes, wild rice, dried fruits, nuts, and herbs like sage, parsley, and thyme.
  • Roasting the Cornish hens: Cornish hens are typically roasted in a preheated oven at a high temperature for a short period of time. This helps to create a crispy skin and juicy meat. Baste the hens with butter or olive oil during roasting to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
  • Resting the Cornish hens: After roasting, let the hens rest for a few minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

Conclusion:

Cornish hens are a delicious and versatile poultry that can be prepared in a variety of ways. Whether you choose to brine, stuff, or roast them, there are endless possibilities for creating a flavorful and satisfying meal. With their tender meat and crispy skin, Cornish hens are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a special occasion dish, give Cornish hens a try!

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