Best 7 Herb Roasted Cornish Hens Recipes

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## Herb Roasted Cornish Hens: A Flavorful and Succulent Delicacy

Indulge in the delightful flavors of herb roasted Cornish hens, a culinary masterpiece that combines tender meat, aromatic herbs, and crispy skin. These small-sized poultry offer a convenient and flavorful alternative to traditional chicken, perfect for intimate gatherings or special occasions. With just a few simple steps, you can create a mouthwatering dish that will impress your family and friends.

This recipe collection features three variations of herb roasted Cornish hens, each offering a unique taste experience. The "Classic Herb Roasted Cornish Hens" recipe emphasizes the natural flavors of the hens, complemented by a blend of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and sage. For those who prefer a tangy twist, the "Lemon and Garlic Herb Roasted Cornish Hens" recipe infuses the hens with a vibrant combination of lemon zest, garlic, and a touch of white wine. And for a smoky and savory treat, the "Smoked Paprika and Herb Roasted Cornish Hens" recipe introduces a smoky and earthy dimension using smoked paprika and a blend of aromatic herbs.

Whether you choose the classic, lemony, or smoky variation, each recipe guides you through the process of preparing the hens, roasting them to perfection, and creating a flavorful pan sauce to accompany the dish. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning images, these recipes ensure that you'll achieve juicy, tender hens with crispy skin and a burst of herbal flavors in every bite.

So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the deliciousness of herb roasted Cornish hens. Prepare to delight your taste buds with these three exceptional recipes that showcase the versatility and exquisite taste of this underrated poultry.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

HERB-ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb-Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Think of this recipe as a dinner-party building block: People-pleasing and delicious, it will become your signature dish.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup parsley leaves, packed
2 tablespoons rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons thyme leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 lemon, ends trimmed, cut into wedges and seeded
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for sprinkling
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 1/2 pound Cornish game hens
4 tablespoons butter, softened

Steps:

  • Place parsley, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend until finely chopped. With machine running, add olive oil.
  • Loosen skin from the hens. Put 1 tablespoon of herb mixture under skin of each hen, smoothing to cover breasts. Place the birds on a large rimmed baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Remove hens from refrigerator and bring to room temperature (about 1 hour). Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Place hens on a clean rimmed baking sheet (it's okay if they touch). Brush butter over surface of hens and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast in oven, rotating pan once until golden brown and cooked through (meat thermometer should read 165 degrees when placed in the thigh), about 50 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let stand at least 15 minutes before placing on individual plates. No carving necessary!

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 ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Time 1h7m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon grill seasoning
1/2 cup red wine vinegrette dressing
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves, plus 4 sprigs
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves, plus 4 sprigs
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus 4 sprigs
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley leaves, plus 4 sprigs
4 Cornish game hens, rinsed
1 lemon, cut in quarters
1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots
1 (16-ounce) bag frozen pearl onions, thawed
1/2 pound red potatoes, cut into small chunks
Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and put a baking rack on top.
  • Mix together the grill seasoning, dressing, and chopped herbs in a small bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons. Generously rub the hens inside and out with the herb and dressing mixture. Stuff each hen with a sprig of each herb and a piece of lemon.
  • In a large bowl, combine the carrots, onions and potatoes with the reserved 2 tablespoons of dressing mixture, a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Put the vegetables in a large roasting pan and arrange the hens on top. Roast them until the juices run clear and an instant-read thermometer registers 180 degrees F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, about 50 to 55 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, cover with foil and let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving. Transfer the hens to a large serving tray with the roasted vegetables.

HERB-ROASTED CORNISH HENS



Herb-Roasted Cornish Hens image

Roasted with lemon, garlic, onion and a medley of fresh herbs, this is sure to please anytime or for special occasions.

Provided by Michelle Mullis

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 17

5 stalks celery
1 large onion, quartered - divided
1 lemon, quartered - divided
4 sprigs fresh rosemary, divided
4 Cornish game hens
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt to taste
1 pinch lemon pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves removed and chopped
1 head garlic, peeled
1 large onion, chopped
½ cup white wine
½ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
  • Arrange celery stalks next to each other in the bottom of a heavy roasting pan.
  • Place 1 onion quarter, 1 lemon quarter, and 1 sprig rosemary in the cavity of each hen. Rub outside of hens with 1 tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with salt and lemon pepper. Arrange hens atop celery; sprinkle with tarragon, basil, thyme, and chopped rosemary. Scatter garlic cloves and 1 chopped onion around hens.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Whisk wine, broth, and 3 tablespoons olive oil together in a bowl; pour over hens.
  • Cook hens until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 50 more minutes, basting every 15 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Turn off oven and let hens rest in the oven for 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 814.2 calories, Carbohydrate 17.5 g, Cholesterol 302.9 mg, Fat 56 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 54.1 g, SaturatedFat 13.6 g, Sodium 373.8 mg, Sugar 4.6 g

HERB-ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Herb-Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

These cornish game hens are simple to prepare and taste heavenly. Roasted in the oven with herbs it makes an elegant dish.

Provided by SueVM

Categories     Meat

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 Cornish hens
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.
  • Brush over hens and bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 50-60 minutes or until juices run clear.

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.

HERB-ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



HERB-ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS image

Categories     Game     Roast     Dinner

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 (1 1/4- to 1 1/2-pound) Cornish game hens, giblets discarded
Kosher salt and pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
Vegetable oil spray

Steps:

  • 1. Using kitchen shears and working with 1 hen at a time, with hen breast side down, cut through bones on either side of backbone; discard backbone. Flatten hens and lay them breast side up on counter. Using sharp chef’s knife, cut through center of breast to make 2 halves. 2. Using your fingers, carefully separate skin from breasts and thighs. Using metal skewer or tip of paring knife, poke 10 to 15 holes in fat deposits on top of breasts and thighs. Tuck wingtips underneath hens. Pat hens dry with paper towels. 3. Combine 2 tablespoons salt, thyme, marjoram, and rosemary in bowl. Sprinkle half of salt-herb mixture on underside (bone side) of hens. Add oil to remaining salt-herb mixture and stir until mixture is evenly coated with oil. Add baking powder and stir until well combined. Turn hens skin side up and rub salt–baking powder mixture evenly over surface. Arrange hens skin side up and in single layer on large platter or plates and refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours. 4. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower positions, place rimmed baking sheet on lower rack, and heat oven to 500 degrees. 5. Once oven is fully heated, spray skin side of hens with oil spray and season with pepper. Carefully transfer hens, skin side down, to preheated sheet and cook for 10 minutes. 6. Remove hens from oven and heat broiler. Flip hens skin side up. Transfer sheet to upper rack and broil until well browned and breasts register 160 degrees and drumsticks/thighs register 175 degrees, about 5 minutes, rotating sheet as needed to promote even browning. Transfer to platter or individual plates and serve.

Tips:

  • Choose the right Cornish hens: Look for hens that are plump and have a moist, unblemished skin. Avoid hens that are too small or have any signs of bruising or freezer burn.
  • Prepare the hens in advance: To ensure even cooking, remove the hens from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before roasting. Pat them dry with paper towels and season them inside and out with salt and pepper.
  • Use a flavorful herb rub: A combination of fresh herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, and sage, will add a delicious flavor to the hens. You can also use a store-bought herb blend or a simple mixture of salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  • Roast the hens at a high temperature: This will help to create a crispy skin and juicy meat. Roast the hens at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue roasting for another 30-35 minutes, or until the hens are cooked through.
  • Let the hens rest before serving: This will help to keep the juices in the meat. Transfer the hens to a platter and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before carving.

Conclusion:

Herb roasted Cornish hens are a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that is perfect for any occasion. With their crispy skin, juicy meat, and flavorful herb rub, these hens are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Serve them with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice, and enjoy!

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