Best 9 Honey Baked Cornish Hens Recipes

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Embark on a culinary adventure with our delightful honey-baked Cornish hens, a dish that promises a taste of pure ecstasy. These tender, succulent hens, cradled in a luscious honey glaze, offer a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Each bite reveals a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, with a hint of tanginess that adds a refreshing twist.

In this comprehensive guide, we present two irresistible variations of this classic dish, ensuring that every palate finds its perfect match. The first recipe takes you on a journey through the Mediterranean, infusing the hens with a medley of aromatic herbs and zesty lemon, while the second recipe embraces the warmth of the tropics, introducing the vibrant flavors of pineapple and ginger. Both creations are culinary masterpieces, offering a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

So, prepare to be captivated by the allure of honey-baked Cornish hens. Let your senses dance to the rhythm of perfectly roasted meat, enveloped in a golden-brown glaze that shimmers with perfection. With our detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to recreate this delectable dish in the comfort of your own kitchen, turning ordinary meals into extraordinary feasts.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HONEY-BAKED CORNISH HENS



Honey-Baked Cornish Hens image

Baked Cornish game hens with fruited wild rice and a trio of vegetables make a wonderful meal to serve when entertaining.

Provided by Midwest Living

Categories     Food

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 1.25-1.5 pounds Cornish game hens, split
2 tablespoons peanut oil or cooking oil
Salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or orange juice
½ cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
Wild Rice Dressing (see recipe below) (optional)
Sauteed Vegetables (see recipe below) (optional)
Finely shredded orange peel (optional)

Steps:

  • Twist wing tips of Cornish game hens under backs. Place hen halves, cut sides down, in a shallow roasting pan. Combine the oil, the salt, and the black pepper. Brush mixture over Cornish hens.
  • Cover and bake prepared Cornish hens in a 375 degree F oven for 35 minutes.
  • In a small saucepan, cook honey over medium heat until bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in the Grand Marnier or orange juice.
  • Uncover hens. Brush glaze evenly over the hens. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, for about 25 minutes more or until hens are tender and no longer pink. Serve each half hen with Wild Rice Dressing and Sauteed Vegetables and garnish with orange peel, if you like. Makes 6 servings.
  • Cook one 6-ounce package long-grain-and-wild-rice mix according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, cook 1 cup chopped celery and 2/3 cup chopped onion in 1 tablespoon melted butter or margarine until vegetables are tender, but not brown. Stir in 3/4 cup pecans, 2/3 cup raisins, 4 slices bacon (crisp-cooked, drained and crumbled), and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Fold mixture into the cooked rice. Makes 6 servings.
  • Cut 2 medium yellow summer squash and 2 medium zucchini into 1/8-inch-thick diagonal slices. Cut 1 medium red onion into julienne strips. In a large skillet, cook and stir the yellow squash, zucchini, and red onion in 2 tablespoons hot olive oil for 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup dry white wine and 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese, if you like. Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475 calories, Carbohydrate 9 g, Cholesterol 168 mg, Fat 34 g, Sodium 181 mg

BAKED CORNISH HENS



Baked Cornish Hens image

Make it easy on yourself--bake Cornish hens with a simple wild rice, dried apricot and almond stuffing all in one dish. Serve with a green vegetable and cranberry relish. To save time, start with precooked wild rice, sold in pouches in the rice section.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2-1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup uncooked wild rice
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
2 tablespoons chopped almonds
1 cup apricot nectar, divided
1/2 cup sweet white wine or apple juice, divided
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each), cut in half
1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
Dash ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring broth and rice to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 60-70 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. , Meanwhile, in a nonstick skillet, saute onion and celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the apricots, almonds, 1/3 cup apricot nectar, 1/4 cup wine, 1/4 teaspoon salt, poultry seasoning and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir into cooked rice. , Spoon mixture into four mounds in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray; top each with a Cornish hen half. Cover and bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180°. , In a large saucepan, combine remaining nectar and wine. Bring to a boil; cook for 5-7 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup. Add the vinegar, cinnamon and remaining salt and pepper. Reduce heat; cook and stir over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Serve with hens and rice.

Nutrition Facts :

BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS



Baked Cornish Game Hens image

Cornish game hens stuffed with a vegetable mixture, then roasted. A Cornish game hen recipe that I found and tweaked a bit for the taste and size of our small family, but it would be very easy to adjust it to fit your needs. It goes well with oven-roasted potatoes.

Provided by JMRYGH

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 Cornish game hens
½ cup melted butter
½ onion, chopped
½ stalk celery, chopped
¼ green bell pepper, chopped
1 (4.5 ounce) can mushrooms, drained and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup melted butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano and parsley.
  • Season hens inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with equal amounts butter/vegetable mixture. Place stuffed birds in a 9x13 inch baking dish, breast side up. Drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter.
  • Cover dish and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove cover and brown at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 476.2 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 166.8 mg, Fat 45.2 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 24.8 g, Sodium 421 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

HONEY ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Honey Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

This is a recipe from an old home economics cook book, but it's one I love to make. It is great served with wild rice. Make sure hen is tender before adding honey mixture or the meat will burn. The recipe is for one Cornish Hen, but I couldn't get the software to accept it the way I tried to enter it.

Provided by Good Cook Wanda

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h30m

Yield 2 hen halves, 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 1/2 lbs Cornish hens
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 teaspoons honey

Steps:

  • Split hen in half. Wash and pat dry. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Brush both sides with 3 Tbs butter.
  • Place breast side down on a rack in a shallow pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.
  • Turn. Brush with butter and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Mix honey with 1 1/2 Tbs melted butter. Brush half the mixture on the hen. Bake for 15 minutes. Turn and brush with remaining honey mixture. Bake for 15 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1224.6, Fat 103.4, SaturatedFat 61.2, Cholesterol 553.9, Sodium 885.5, Carbohydrate 4.3, Sugar 4.3, Protein 69.2

LIGHT HONEY-GLAZED CORNISH HENS



Light Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens image

Recipe for low-fat honey glazed Cornish hens with orange juice, garlic, soy sauce, thyme, onion, and honey.

Provided by Diana Rattray

Categories     Entree     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 Cornish game hens (about 1 1/2 lbs each)
1 teaspoon fresh orange peel (grated)
1/4 cup orange juice concentrate (thawed, undiluted)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves garlic (crushed and minced)
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tsp. oil or non-stick cooking spray
1/2 cup onion (chopped)
Optional Garnish: fresh orange wedges
1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water (cold)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Place game hens breast-side down ​on a cutting board and cut in half along the backbone. Remove skin and trim excess fat.
  • In a small microwave-safe dish, combine orange peel, lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, honey, garlic, onion powder, and thyme. Bring to boiling point in a microwave oven; set aside.
  • Lightly grease a baking dish or spray with cooking spray.
  • Divide chopped onion into 4 portions in baking dish; place hens bone-side down on onions.
  • Pour orange juice mixture over hens.
  • Bake hens in preheated oven for 45 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes with cooking juices. If they brown too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil.
  • When hens are done, remove from baking dish, onions and all, to warm dinner plates.
  • If desired, garnish with orange slices. Skim fat off juices in baking dish. If desired, thicken pan juices with a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon of cold water. Serve juices on the side.
  • Serve with hot cooked rice and a green vegetable. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 967 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Cholesterol 446 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 77 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, Sodium 661 mg, Sugar 11 g, Fat 64 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

HONEY BAKED CORNISH HENS



HONEY BAKED CORNISH HENS image

Categories     Poultry

Yield 3-6 people

Number Of Ingredients 6

3 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pounds Cornish game hens,
2 tablespoons peanut oil or cooking oil
Salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted walnuts
Finely shredded orange peel

Steps:

  • 1. Twist wing tips of Cornish game hens under backs. Place hens in a shallow roasting pan. Combine the oil, the salt, and the black pepper. Brush mixture over Cornish hens. 2. Cover and bake prepared Cornish hens in a 375 degree oven for 35 minutes. For glaze: 3. In a small saucepan, cook honey over medium heat until bubbly. Remove from heat. Stir in the Grand Marnier 4. Uncover hens. Brush glaze evenly over the hens. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, for about 25 minutes more or until hens are tender and no longer pink. Goes well with Wild Rice Dressing. Makes 3 hens and 3 to 6 servings.

HONEY ORANGE CORNISH HENS



Honey Orange Cornish Hens image

An easy dish that looks like you've spent all day cooking and has a fabulous taste. Your family or friends will rave about it, and we don't need to tell them how easy it was to make. It has only 5 ingredients.

Provided by Carol Semenuk

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 Cornish game hens, halved lengthwise
¼ cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place game hen halves with skin sides up into a 9x13-inch roasting pan.
  • Roast hens in the preheated oven for 35 minutes.
  • Stir orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and vinegar together in a small bowl; brush mixture over hens.
  • Roast hens for 5 more minutes and baste again with orange juice mixture. Roast until skin is browned and meat is no longer pink inside, about 10 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192.7 calories, Carbohydrate 10.9 g, Cholesterol 75.3 mg, Fat 10.5 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 13.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 488.3 mg, Sugar 10.1 g

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

HONEY-HERB CORNISH GAME HENS



Honey-Herb Cornish Game Hens image

I saw this in a magazine and thought it looked absolutely delicious. It would make a very fancy romantic meal or even be great for a dinner party with friends. I love the idea of using Cornish hens because of the combo of dark and white meat. The hens are baked, but I want to try them on the grill when it gets warm.

Provided by Redneck Epicurean

Categories     Whole Chicken

Time 1h15m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 (1 1/2 lb) rock cornish game hens, 6 lbs total
2 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Rinse and pat dry hens. Cut out the backbone and split through the breastbone. Trim any excess skin or fat.
  • Place oil in a shallow pan and heat oven to 400 degrees.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, thyme, and oregano. Season hens with salt and pepper.
  • Once pan is heated, place hens skin side down and brush with half of the honey mixture.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Flip hens and brush with remaining honey mixture. Bake 20-30 minutes longer, or until internal temperature reaches 180 degrees. Place on a platter.
  • Drain drippings into a fat separator or skim as much fat as possible. Serve with hens.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 930.2, Fat 65.4, SaturatedFat 17.6, Cholesterol 446.1, Sodium 363.6, Carbohydrate 5, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 4.4, Protein 75.9

Tips:

  • Choose the right Cornish hens: Look for hens that are about 1 to 1.5 pounds each, with plump breasts and firm legs. Avoid hens that have any bruises or cuts.
  • Brine the hens: Brining the hens in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar helps to keep them moist and flavorful. Brine the hens for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
  • Use a flavorful marinade: The marinade will help to add flavor to the hens. Use a marinade that contains herbs, spices, and citrus fruits. Marinate the hens for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
  • Roast the hens at a high temperature: Roasting the hens at a high temperature helps to create a crispy skin and juicy meat. Roast the hens at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Let the hens rest before carving: Let the hens rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the hens, making them more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Honey-baked Cornish hens are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. By following these tips, you can create a perfectly roasted Cornish hen that is sure to impress your guests. So next time you're looking for a special meal, give honey-baked Cornish hens a try.

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