Best 6 Herb Roasted Game Hens Recipes

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Indulge in a delectable culinary experience with our herb-roasted game hens, where succulent, tender meat mingles harmoniously with a vibrant symphony of herbs and spices. These exquisite birds, roasted to perfection, exude an alluring aroma that fills the air, enticing your senses and promising a feast for both the palate and the soul. Discover the secrets behind this mouthwatering dish, as we guide you through a step-by-step process, ensuring that every bite is bursting with flavor. Additionally, explore tantalizing variations of this classic recipe, including a tantalizingly tangy lemon-herb marinade, a piquant and spicy harissa-yogurt sauce, and a lusciously rich mushroom-wine sauce. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will leave you craving for more.

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

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-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 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 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 game hens. Look for plump, young hens with smooth, unblemished skin.
  • Prepare the game hens. Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry. Remove any excess fat or giblets.
  • Season the game hens. Season the hens inside and out with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs. You can also add a little garlic powder or onion powder.
  • Roast the game hens. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the hens in a roasting pan and cook them for 45-60 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
  • Let the game hens rest. Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Conclusion:

Herb-roasted game hens are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a meal that your family and friends will love.

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