Best 8 How Long To Roast Cornish Hen Recipes

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Cornish hens are small, flavorful fowl that make an elegant and delicious main course for any occasion. They are typically roasted whole, and their delicate meat can be complemented with a variety of seasonings and side dishes. Cornish hens are also a relatively affordable option, making them a great choice for budget-conscious cooks. This article provides three mouthwatering recipes for roasting Cornish hens, each with its own unique flavor profile. The first recipe, "Garlic Butter Cornish Hens," features a simple yet flavorful combination of garlic, butter, and herbs. The second recipe, "Lemon Herb Cornish Hens," uses a zesty combination of lemon, herbs, and white wine to create a bright and refreshing dish. The third recipe, "Honey Dijon Cornish Hens," combines the sweetness of honey with the tanginess of Dijon mustard for a rich and savory flavor. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a novice cook, you are sure to find a recipe in this article that will tantalize your taste buds and impress your dinner guests.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED CORNISH HENS



Roasted Cornish Hens image

These Roasted Cornish Hens will be your new favorite recipe for romantic date nights or to impress dinner party guests. They're simple, elegant, and turn out perfectly every time with my easy step-by-step instructions.

Provided by Joanna Cismaru

Categories     Dinner     Main Course

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 whole Cornish hens (about 1 1/2 lb each)
2 sprigs rosemary
4 sprigs thyme
1 large onion (cut in quarters)
6 cloves garlic
1 lemon (cut in slices)
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Combine all the dry rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Pat the hens dry with paper towels and generously season with the dry rub both inside and out.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F.
  • In a roasting pan add the rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, and half the lemon slices. Place the hens in the roasting pan over the herbs and onions and drizzle the olive oil over the hens.
  • Transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 165°F.
  • Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 20 minutes. Garnish with additional thyme, lemon slices and rosemary and serve over mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.5 hen, Calories 783 kcal, Carbohydrate 10 g, Protein 60 g, Fat 55 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Cholesterol 344 mg, Sodium 796 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 2 g

CORNISH HENS THE EASY WAY



Cornish Hens the Easy Way image

This recipe is so simple, and it adds a little zest to your Cornish Hens.

Provided by Mary Fortman

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

4 Cornish game hens
2 limes, halved
2 teaspoons olive oil
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
kosher salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Rub each hen with a lime half. Drizzle the hens with olive oil, and season with chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, and pepper. Place hens on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.
  • Roast hens 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue roasting 30 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332.4 calories, Carbohydrate 3.8 g, Cholesterol 151 mg, Fat 23.5 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 6.2 g, Sodium 556.5 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

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 :

ROASTED GAME HENS



Roasted Game Hens image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 26

1 1/2 small onions, cut into 6 quarters
6 Cornish game hens
6 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/2 lemons, cut into 6 quarters
6 Cornish game hens
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 lemons, cut into 6 quarters
1 1/2 small onions, cut into 6 quarters
6 tablespoons butter, softened
One 2-inch knob fresh ginger, minced
1/4 cup Asian five-spice powder
1/2 cup white wine
12 ounces ricotta
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
2 small cloves garlic
6 Cornish game hens
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 lemons, cut into 6 quarters
1 1/2 small onions, cut into 6 quarters
1/2 cup white wine

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse the game hens and pat them dry. Season the cavities with salt and pepper and place a quarter lemon and a quarter onion in each cavity. Place the birds, breast side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Dot with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour the white wine into the pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the juices run clear when the hen is pierced in the thickest part of the thigh. Remove from the oven and serve with the pan juices spooned over the hens.
  • ROASTED GAME HENS WITH ASIAN SPICE RUB: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rinse the game hens and pat them dry. Season the cavities with salt and pepper and place a quarter lemon and a quarter onion in each cavity. In a small bowl, combine the butter, ginger and five-spice powder. Rub the five-spice mixture onto the hens. Place the birds, breast side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Pour the white wine into the pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the juices run clear when the hen is pierced in the thickest part of the thigh. Remove from the oven and serve with the pan juices spooned over the hens. Yield: 6 servings
  • ROASTED GAME HENS STUFFED UNDER THE SKIN WITH HERBED RICOTTA: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the ricotta in a fine sieve and drain for 30 minutes. In a medium bowl, combine the drained ricotta, Parmesan, egg yolk, herbs and lemon zest. Put the garlic clove through a garlic press and into the ricotta. Mix well, adding salt and pepper to taste. Rinse the game hens and pat them dry. Season the cavities with salt and pepper and place a quarter lemon and a quarter onion in each cavity. Loosen the skin on the breasts by sliding your fingers under the skin, being careful not to pierce it. Spoon the ricotta mixture under the skin (about 4 tablespoons of stuffing per bird.) Truss the birds. Place the birds, breast side up, in a shallow roasting pan. Pour the white wine into the pan. Bake for 1 hour, or until the juices run clear when the hen is pierced in the thickest part of the thigh. Remove from the oven and serve with the pan juices spooned over the hens. Yield: 6 servings

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Go for a different kind of bird by stuffing and cooking the Neelys' Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network.

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon-pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly
1 green bell pepper, large dice
2 stalks celery, large dice
1 onion, large dice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

CORNISH HENS



Cornish Hens image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 large Spanish onion, sliced
2 Cornish hens
Cornbread Stuffing, recipe follows
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup yellow onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups cornbread
1 celery stalk, diced
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Place the sliced onion in the bottom of a roasting pan. Remove the giblets from the hens, and rinse them inside and out. Remove any excess fat and leftover pinfeathers and pat the outsides dry. Place the hens on top of the sliced onion.
  • Pack the cavities of the hens with the cornbread stuffing.
  • Tie the legs together with kitchen string and tuck the wing tips under the body of the hens. Rub the hens with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Roast the hens for 30 minutes, or until the juices run clear when you cut between a leg and thigh.
  • Melt the butter in a large saute pan. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Break the cornbread into pieces and place the pieces in a large bowl. Add the onion mixture to the cornbread. Add the celery, chicken stock, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix together.
  • Yield: 2 servings

ROASTED CORNISH HENS



Roasted Cornish Hens image

If you've never tried Cornish game hen, we suggest you do. They're delicious. Essentially it's a smaller chicken, that's tender and has a richer flavor than larger chickens. This is a great recipe for roasting Cornish hens. The flavors of rosemary and garlic permeate through the moist, juicy meat. Once roasted, the skin is...

Provided by Rosi Tornetto

Categories     Roasts

Time 1h25m

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 Cornish hens (rinsed and pat dry), split them in half
6 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp rosemary, dried
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 large roasting pan

Steps:

  • 1. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees. Split Cornish hens in half lengthwise. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel; set aside.
  • 2. In a small bowl mix together butter, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. This will look like a paste.
  • 3. Loosen the skin of the hens. Rub spice mixture under the skin. Arrange Cornish hens cut side down in the roasting pan.
  • 4. Place roasting pan in the oven at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 40 minutes or until hens are no longer pink inside.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS



Stuffed Cornish Game Hens image

THIS ENTREE makes an ordinary day special. Whenever I cook Cornish hens for my husband and me, it stirs up warm memories of family times around the holiday dinner table. I bake the extra stuffing separately so we're sure to have enough. -Nancy Aubrey, Ruidoso, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup butter, divided
3 cups crumbled cornbread
3 cups soft bread crumbs
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 cup chicken broth
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon chopped fresh mint or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint flakes

Steps:

  • In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1728 calories, Fat 106g fat (44g saturated fat), Cholesterol 601mg cholesterol, Sodium 3675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 106g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 82g protein.

Tips for Roasting Cornish Hens:

  • Choose the Right Cornish Hens: Select hens that are plump and have a healthy yellow color to their skin.
  • Thaw Frozen Cornish Hens Properly: If using frozen hens, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for a few hours before cooking.
  • Prepare the Cornish Hens: Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the hens inside and out with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
  • Stuffing (optional): If desired, stuff the hens with your favorite stuffing. Be careful not to overstuff them, as this can make them difficult to cook evenly.
  • Truss the Cornish Hens: Tie the legs of the hens together with kitchen twine to help them hold their shape during roasting.
  • Roast the Cornish Hens: Preheat your oven to the desired temperature according to your recipe. Place the hens breast-side up on a roasting pan and cook for the recommended amount of time.
  • Baste the Cornish Hens: Baste the hens with melted butter or olive oil every 20-30 minutes during roasting to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Let the Cornish Hens Rest: Once the hens are cooked through, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.

Conclusion:

Roasting Cornish hens is a delicious and easy way to prepare a special meal. By following these tips and selecting from the various recipes provided in the article, you can ensure that your Cornish hens turn out perfectly cooked, moist, and flavorful. Experiment with different seasonings, stuffings, and roasting methods to find your favorite way to enjoy this versatile dish. Remember to always handle and cook poultry safely to prevent foodborne illness.

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