Best 9 Herb Cornish Hens With Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipes

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Succulent and flavorful, the herb-roasted Cornish hens with cranberry-orange sauce is an easy-to-make yet elegant dish that will impress your guests. Marinated in a blend of aromatic herbs, garlic, and citrus, the tender Cornish hens are roasted to perfection, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown skin and moist, juicy meat. The accompanying cranberry-orange sauce adds a delightful tangy-sweetness that perfectly complements the savory hens. This recipe also includes a simple yet delicious roasted carrots and parsnips recipe that adds a colorful and nutritious side dish to your meal. With its vibrant flavors and elegant presentation, this herb-roasted Cornish hens with cranberry-orange sauce is a must-try for any occasion.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

ORANGE-CRANBERRY GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Orange-Cranberry Glazed Cornish Hens image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 Cornish game hens (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds each)
1 large onion, sliced into rounds, rings separated
2 oranges, sliced into rounds, plus 1 cup fresh orange juice (from about 4 oranges)
8 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed or coarsely ground
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 stick unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped

Steps:

  • Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 475 degrees F. Cut the hens in half with kitchen shears, removing the backbone and cutting through the middle of the breastbone. Divide the onion, oranges and rosemary sprigs between 2 rimmed baking sheets. Arrange the hens skin-side up on the baking sheets and season all over with salt and pepper. Set aside at room temperature, 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine the orange juice, cranberries, maple syrup, 1 teaspoon coriander, the chile powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook, mashing the cranberries as they start to burst, until the mixture is thickened and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and season with salt. Set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped rosemary, garlic and the remaining 2 teaspoons coriander. Cook 30 seconds, then remove from the heat.
  • Pat the hens dry with paper towels, then brush with the flavored butter. Roast the hens until the skin is browned and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and switch to the broiler setting. Brush the hens with the orange-cranberry sauce, then broil, one baking sheet at a time, until glazed and dark brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.

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.

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

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH DOUBLE-CRANBERRY AND THYME SAUCE



Cornish Game Hen with Double-Cranberry and Thyme Sauce image

This is the perfect entrée for a holiday dinner for two. Complete the meal with sautéed green beans and wild mushrooms and a wild-rice pilaf with chopped fresh parsley and hazelnuts. For dessert? Chocolate mousse topped with rum-spiked whipped cream and chopped crystallized ginger.

Provided by Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

Categories     Roast     Quick & Easy     Cranberry     Fall     Winter     Thyme     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon golden brown sugar
3 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
1 1 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound Cornish game hen, halved, backbone removed, rinsed, patted dry
1/2 tablespoon all purpose flour
3/4 cup low-salt chicken broth
1/2 cup white grape juice
1/3 cup frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup dried sweetened cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Blend 2 tablespoons butter, sugar, and 2 teaspoons thyme in small bowl. Sprinkle hen halves with salt and pepper. Spread skin of each with half of butter mixture. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add hen halves, skin side down. Sear until deep brown, about 4 minutes. Turn, skin side up, and sear 1 minute. Remove from heat. Transfer hen halves, skin side up, to small rimmed baking sheet. Reserve skillet (mixture will be dark). Roast hen halves until cooked through and juices run clear when pierced with fork, about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, blend remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 tablespoon flour in small bowl. Add broth, grape juice, cranberry concentrate, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme to reserved skillet. Boil until sauce is reduced to 3/4 cup, whisking often, about 7 minutes. Whisk in flour mixture and cranberries. Simmer until sauce coats spoon, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer hen halves to plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

ORANGE GLAZED CORNISH HEN



Orange Glazed Cornish Hen image

Marinate the hens for at least an hour. While they're marinating in the refrigerator, start making the sauce.

Provided by JDP4445

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 2h15m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 orange, zested and juiced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 Cornish game hens
2 cups orange juice
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup honey
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup finely diced onion
2 teaspoons ground ginger
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Mix olive oil, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, lemon zest and juice, orange zest and juice, garlic, salt, and black pepper together in a large resealable bag. Add hens, seal bag, and coat hens with marinade. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, flipping the bag 1 or 2 times to redistribute marinade.
  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Mix orange juice, soy sauce, honey, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, onion, ginger, and black pepper together in a bowl.
  • Remove hens from marinade and transfer to a roasting pan, discarding leftover marinade.
  • Roast hens in the preheated oven for 50 minutes. Brush hens with orange glaze and roast for 5 more minutes. Flip hens, brush with more glaze, and roast until meat is no longer pink in the center, about 5 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1234.6 calories, Carbohydrate 129.2 g, Cholesterol 302 mg, Fat 56.4 g, Fiber 6.7 g, Protein 59.6 g, SaturatedFat 13.7 g, Sodium 5663 mg, Sugar 100.3 g

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH HERBS



Cornish Game Hens With Herbs image

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

Provided by Derf2440

Categories     Chicken

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

16 cloves, garlic, peeled
16 lemon wedges
8 small Cornish hens, about 1 lb. each
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon soft non-hydrogenated margarine

Steps:

  • Place 2 whole garlic cloves and 2 lemon wedges in each hen.
  • In a small bowl, combine oil,smashed garlic, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme, salt and pepper.
  • Gently separate skin from breast and thigh of each hen and rub meat with herb mixture.
  • Rub any extra over skin.
  • Arrange birds on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  • Roast birds in a preheated 400°F oven for 45 minutes or until well browned and cooked through.
  • Baste occasionally.
  • Place birds on a platter and transfer pan juices to measuring cup.
  • To make sauce, remove fat from pan juices.
  • Place juices in a saucepan with stock, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a boil.
  • Cook a few minutes.
  • In a small bowl, combine flour and margarine.
  • Stir into sauce and cook until just slightly thickened.
  • Adjust seasonings.
  • Serve hens with sauce on the side.

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

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.

CONTEST-WINNING ORANGE-GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Contest-Winning Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens image

This is a wonderfully elegant entree to serve at a cozy dinner party for four. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen preparing the tender golden brown hens and perfecting the full-flavored basting sauce. -Laurie Bartley, Lake Hiawatha, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup orange juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup Madeira wine, sherry or chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to at 350°. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wing tips under backs. Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan. Brush with butter; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 15 minutes. Spoon over hens. Bake until a thermometer reads 170°, about 15 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 682 calories, Fat 40g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 235mg cholesterol, Sodium 819mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (35g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 35g protein.

Tips:

  • Select the Right Cornish Hens: Choose smaller hens with plump breasts and firm skin. Ensure they are properly thawed if frozen.
  • Prepare the Hens: Rinse the hens inside and out, pat them dry, and remove any excess fat. Season them generously with salt and pepper.
  • Stuffing Options: If desired, stuff the hens with your favorite stuffing. Herb stuffing, bread stuffing, or wild rice stuffing are all great choices.
  • Trussing the Hens: Trussing helps the hens cook evenly and keeps the stuffing in place. Use kitchen twine to tie the legs and wings securely.
  • Cooking the Hens: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roast the hens uncovered for 40-50 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
  • Basting the Hens: Baste the hens every 15-20 minutes with the melted butter or olive oil to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Make the Cranberry-Orange Sauce: While the hens are roasting, prepare the cranberry-orange sauce. Combine cranberries, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have softened and the sauce has thickened.
  • Resting the Hens: Once the hens are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

Conclusion:

Herb Cornish hens with cranberry-orange sauce is a delicious and elegant dish perfect for special occasions or a cozy family dinner. The tender and flavorful hens, complemented by the tangy and sweet sauce, create a memorable dining experience. With careful preparation and attention to detail, you can easily impress your guests with this classic culinary delight. Enjoy!

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