Best 11 Garlic Herb Cornish Hens Recipes

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

Welcome to a culinary journey that celebrates the delectable flavors of tender Cornish hens, artfully infused with a symphony of herbs and the aromatic essence of garlic. Our collection of recipes will guide you through a delightful exploration of this versatile poultry, offering a range of preparations that cater to diverse palates and occasions. From the classic Garlic Herb Cornish Hens, exuding a savory fragrance that fills the kitchen, to the tangy Lemon Herb Cornish Hens, bursting with citrusy brightness, each recipe promises a unique gustatory experience. For those who prefer a touch of smokiness, the Chipotle Cornish Hens deliver a spicy-sweet sensation that lingers on the taste buds. And for a festive presentation, the Roasted Cornish Hens with Vegetables create a colorful centerpiece, perfect for special gatherings. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner party or preparing a family feast, these Cornish hen recipes will elevate your culinary repertoire and create lasting memories around the table.

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

GARLICKY SMOTHERED CORNISH HENS



Garlicky Smothered Cornish Hens image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Time 2h5m

Yield 2 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

10 cloves garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (1 1/2-pound) Cornish hens
Olive oil
1 green bell pepper, seeded and small diced
1/2 medium onion, small diced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
3 cups chicken stock, divided
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Prepare the hens: In a mini food processor, pulse the garlic and 1 teaspoon salt to a paste. Using your fingers, make a pocket between the flesh and the skin of each Cornish hen. Stuff half the garlic paste between the skin and the flesh of the hens, evenly covering by pushing the paste along the flesh from the outside. Rub both hens all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and a grind of pepper. Cross the legs of each hen and tie together with kitchen string. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature for about an hour.
  • In a baking dish large enough to hold both hens, mix together the remaining garlic paste, the bell pepper, onions, cayenne pepper, paprika, a pinch of salt and a grind or 2 of pepper.
  • Place the prepared hens on top of the vegetables in the pan and slowly pour in 2 cups chicken stock. Place in the oven and cook until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F between the leg and the body of the hen when tested with an instant-read thermometer, about 40 minutes.
  • Remove the hens from oven and remove from the pan to a plate. Cover lightly with aluminum foil to keep them warm while making the gravy. In a medium saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the vegetables from the baking dish and the flour. Whisk the flour briskly until it is combined with all the pan contents. Add the wine and let reduce. Take a sip of wine for yourself; you've worked hard. Stir in the remaining 1 cup chicken stock. Taste and season with salt and pepper, and then cook until the sauce has thickened to a gravy consistency, about 5 more minutes. To serve, remove the aluminum foil from the hens. Remove the string and cut in the birds in half. Pour the gravy over the top and garnish with chopped parsley.

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

HERB-STUFFED ROASTED CORNISH HENS



Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens image

If you're looking to add a touch of elegance to your dinner table, we suggest this moist Cornish game hen recipe. A blend of sage, lemon, onion and garlic give this entree outstanding flavor. -Taste of Home Cooking School

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h30m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
12 fresh sage leaves
4 lemon wedges
6 green onions, cut into 2-inch lengths, divided
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
6 small red potatoes, halved

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. Gently lift skin from hen breasts and place sage leaves under skin. Place lemon wedges and a third of the onions in the cavities. Tuck wings under hens; tie legs together. Place in a small greased roasting pan. , Combine butter, oil, lemon juice and garlic; spoon half of mixture over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper., Bake 30 minutes. Add potatoes and remaining onions to pan. Brush hens with remaining butter mixture. Bake until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of thigh reads 170°-175° and potatoes are tender, 40-45 minutes longer., Remove hens to a serving platter. Stir potatoes and onions to coat with pan drippings. Serve with hens.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 67 g fat (22 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 379 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,398 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29 g carbohydrate, Fiber 4 g fiber, Protein 63 g protein.

HERB-BRINED CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb-Brined Cornish Game Hens image

Instead of a turkey or a big roast, why not serve individual Cornish game hens for the holidays? They cook in a fraction of the time and they're guaranteed to impress all your guests. -Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 4h10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 24

2/3 cup kosher salt
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
12 whole peppercorns
5 fresh sage leaves
2 garlic cloves
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 fresh rosemary sprig
1 quart water
1-1/2 quarts cold water
2 large turkey-sized oven roasting bags
4 Cornish game hens (20 ounces each)
HERB BUTTER:
14 whole peppercorns
2 garlic cloves
3/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
1/3 cup packed fresh parsley sprigs
3 tablespoons fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
2 small red onions, cut into wedges
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, combine the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 1 quart water. Bring to a boil. Cook and stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Remove from the heat. Add the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature., Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag; add hens. Carefully pour cooled brine into bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible; seal bags and turn to coat. Place in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, turning occasionally. Drain and discard brine; pat hens dry., Meanwhile, place the peppercorns and garlic in a food processor; cover and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add the butter, 3 tablespoons olive oil and herbs; cover and process until smooth. With fingers, carefully loosen skin from hens; rub half the butter mixture under skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks; tie drumsticks together. Rub remaining butter mixture over skin., In a 15x10x1-in. baking pan, toss the Brussels sprouts and onions with remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer. Place hens, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Bake at 450° until thermometer inserted in breast reads 165°, 35-40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil if hens brown too quickly., Remove hens and vegetables to a serving platter; cover and let stand for 10 minutes before carving. If desired, garnish with additional herbs.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 592 calories, Fat 39g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 199mg cholesterol, Sodium 474mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 49g protein.

HERBED CORNISH HENS



Herbed Cornish Hens image

The refreshing sauce Mom makes with thyme, lemon juice and butter gives these hens savory flavor throughout. The seasonings in this recipe also work great on a whole roasted chicken. Either way, the result is a mouthwatering feast.-Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
1-1/4 teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
1-1/8 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Place the hens on a wire rack in a large roasting pan. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, butter, paprika and 1 teaspoon each of thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder. Pour half over the hens; set the remaining mixture aside for basting. Combine salt, pepper and remaining thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder; sprinkle over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes. Baste with reserved lemon juice mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer, basting occasionally, or until the meat is tender and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts :

GARLIC & ROSEMARY CORNISH GAME HENS



Garlic & Rosemary Cornish Game Hens image

I adore garlic so here is yet another recipe using it! I don't know who gave this recipe to me, I found it this weekend in a kitchen drawer! I hope you enjoy it.

Provided by Rise3834

Categories     Chicken

Time 1h15m

Yield 4-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Cornish hens
4 sprigs rosemary
20 -25 cloves fresh garlic
1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/3 cup dry white wine

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 450.
  • Rinse and pat dry game hens.
  • Season cavities lightly with salt& pepper.
  • Cut lemon into 4 wedges.
  • Place 1 wedge inside each hen along with 1 sprig of the rosemary and 1 clove peeled garlic Rub outside of hens with 1 tbl of oil.
  • Season outside of hen lightly with salt& pepper.
  • Place hens in pan placing peeled garlic around all.
  • Roast hens for appx 25 minutes at 450.
  • Reduce temp to 350 and pour wine, broth and remaining oil over hens.
  • Continue to cook for about 25 minutes (or until juice from thickest part runs clear) Be sure to baste about every 10 minutes in this final cooking time.
  • Remove hens from pan and pour remaining juices as well as any juices from the cavities into medium saucepan Boil juices about 6 to 8 minutes (or until desired consistency).
  • Arrange hens on plates and spoon sauce and garlic over and around each, add additional rosemary as a garnish if you like.
  • The 4-8 servings is that you can cut the hens in half to double the servings.
  • This goes very well with a light salad and rice pilaf (and of course a glass of wine).

HERB ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

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

Provided by JelsMom

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h

Yield 1 hen, 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 large Cornish hen
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, sliced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
1 bay leaf
1 shallot, roughly chopped
1 carrot, chopped into 1 pieces
1 stalk celery, chopped into 1 pieces
1/2 lemon, juice of

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Rinse hen with cold water & pat dry. Season with salt & pepper inside & out.
  • Stuff cavity with garlic, rosemary, thyme, & ½ bay leaf. Place some of the shallots, carrots, & celery in cavity.
  • Scatter rest of veggies on bottom of roasting pan. Place hen on top of veggies.
  • Squeeze juice from ½ lemon over hen and add a pice (about ¼ of a lemon) to the cavity. Roast in oven 45 minutes until hens are golden brown & crisp. Juices should run clear when thigh is pierced with a sharp knife.
  • Transfer to serving platter and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove skin & cut in half.

CORNISH HENS WITH LEMON AND HERBS



Cornish Hens with Lemon and Herbs image

For more-generous portions, cook one hen per person. If you do, use two roasting pans, and double the other ingredients.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 Cornish hens (about 1 3/4 pounds each), room temperature, rinsed well and patted dry
1 bunch fresh thyme (about 1/2 ounce), plus more for garnish
2 lemons, halved, plus wedges for serving
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over hens. Rub butter all over hens. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise. Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges.

HERB-ROASTED GAME HENS



Herb-Roasted Game Hens image

These golden Cornish hens, shown at right, are seasoned with basil, sage and thyme for plenty of flavor. They're simple to prepare yet make any occasion seem special. For a fast finish, serve corn bread stuffing and chunky cinnamon applesauce...or roasted cubed potatoes with pepper and carrots plus instant chocolate pudding for dessert.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 55m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning

Steps:

  • Place hens, breast side up, on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon over hens. , Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or a thermometer reads 180°.

Nutrition Facts :

HERB GARLIC ROTISSERIE CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb Garlic Rotisserie Cornish Game Hens image

This is a quick Cornish hen recipe that has a fruit sweet taste. These can also be baked or roasted. Be sure to baste along the way. You also can cut this in half if needed.

Provided by Timothy H.

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 rock cornish hens
3/4 cup butter, at room temp
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
2 tangerines, juice of or 1 large orange
1 teaspoon of fresh mint, minced
1 teaspoon green onion, minced
1 teaspoon parsley
3 teaspoons aloha shoyu
1 tablespoon sea salt

Steps:

  • Rinse game hens and pat dry. In mixing bowl, blend all ingredients (except hens) into a paste. Rub herb paste thoroughly over the game hens and into the cavities, as well.
  • Secure onto the rotisserie and roast for fifty five minutes to one hour, or until golden brown. If you don't have a rotisserie, you can bake the game hens in a three hundred and fifty degree oven for the same amount of time, until brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 875, Fat 69.8, SaturatedFat 27.6, Cholesterol 397.7, Sodium 1679.9, Carbohydrate 1.2, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 57.8

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.

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready to go. This will make the cooking process much smoother.
  • Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs will give your Cornish hens the best flavor. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use about half the amount.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: When you're browning the Cornish hens, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
  • Roast the Cornish hens until they're golden brown: The Cornish hens are done roasting when they're golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the Cornish hens rest before carving: After you've roasted the Cornish hens, let them rest for 10 minutes before carving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat.

Conclusion:

Garlic herb Cornish hens are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and moist Cornish hen that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make main course, give garlic herb Cornish hens a try. You won't be disappointed!

Related Topics