Best 13 Orange Balsamic Rock Cornish Game Hens Recipes

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Feast your taste buds on a culinary adventure with our Orange Balsamic Rock Cornish Game Hens recipe, a delightful dish that blends citrusy freshness with a hint of tangy sweetness. The tender meat of the Cornish hens is marinated in a vibrant blend of orange juice, tangy balsamic vinegar, aromatic herbs, and zesty spices, creating a flavor profile that tantalizes the senses. Perfectly roasted to a golden-brown crisp, these game hens are served alongside a flavorful medley of roasted vegetables, including tender carrots, succulent sweet potatoes, and earthy Brussels sprouts, all tossed in a zesty orange-balsamic glaze. The perfect balance of sweet and savory, this dish is sure to leave you craving more.

Alternative recipes in this article offer exciting variations on the classic Orange Balsamic Rock Cornish Game Hens. For a touch of smokiness, try the Chipotle-Honey Glazed Cornish Hens, where a combination of chipotle peppers and honey creates a sweet and spicy glaze that complements the tender meat perfectly. If you prefer a more herbaceous flavor, the Lemon-Herb Cornish Hens are a delightful option, featuring a zesty blend of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs that infuse the Cornish hens with a vibrant and aromatic flavor. And for those who enjoy a bold and spicy kick, the Spicy Harissa Cornish Hens deliver a tantalizing blend of North African spices and zesty harissa paste, creating a dish that ignites the taste buds.

No matter your preference, these recipes offer a delectable range of flavors and textures that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that promises to tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories around the dinner table.

Let's cook with our recipes!

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.

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.

TUSCAN GRILLED CORNISH HENS



Tuscan Grilled Cornish Hens image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 Cornish hens, flattened
Kosher salt
1/3 cup good olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon, halved
Fleur de sel, for serving

Steps:

  • Sprinkle the Cornish hens with 1 teaspoon salt on each side.
  • Combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a ceramic or glass dish just large enough to hold the flattened hens. Add the hens, and turn to coat. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, turning once or twice.
  • When ready to grill, prepare a hot charcoal fire on one side of a grill (or turn a gas grill on low heat). Spread 1/4 of the coals across the other side of the grill. Place the hens on the cooler side skin-side up and weigh them down with a gratin dish with a foil-wrapped brick inside.
  • Cook for 12 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Turn the hens skin-side down, weigh them down again, and cook for another 12 minutes until the skin is golden brown and the hens are cooked through.
  • Place the lemon halves on the cool side of the grill, cut-side down, for the last 10 minutes of cooking. Remove the Cornish hens and lemons to a plate or cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Cut the hens in half, sprinkle with fleur de sel, and serve with the grilled lemon halves.

MAHOGANY-GLAZED CORNISH HEN



Mahogany-Glazed Cornish Hen image

I make this for my husband and myself for holiday dinners. It's an elegant tradition, custom fit for two. -Jeannette Sabo, Lexington Park, Maryland

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 Cornish game hen (20 to 24 ounces), split lengthwise
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons apricot preserves
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 to 1-1/2 cups chicken broth, divided

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450°. Place hen in a greased shallow roasting pan, skin side up. Combine butter, ginger and orange zest; rub under skin., In a small bowl, whisk preserves, vinegar, soy sauce and mustard. Reserve half of the mixture for basting. Spoon remaining mixture over hen; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour 1/2 cup chicken broth into pan., Roast 20-25 minutes or until a thermometer inserted in thigh reads 180°, adding broth to pan as necessary and basting with remaining glaze halfway through cooking. Serve with pan juices.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 472 calories, Fat 30g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 193mg cholesterol, Sodium 1332mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 31g protein.

FIREMAN BOB'S ROCK CORNISH GAME HENS UNDER ORANGE



Fireman Bob's Rock Cornish Game Hens under Orange image

This one comes from my Dad... He taught me a lot of what I know... I hope you enjoy as much as I do... Thank You Pat Duran for your photo of the Game Hens... :)

Provided by Bob Cooney

Categories     Other Main Dishes

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 cornish game hens
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1 tsp nutmeg - frsh ground if possible
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 c melted butter
1 c orange juice

Steps:

  • 1. In a bowl, mix all ingredients and blend Place Hens in a 9 by 13 dish Pour mixture over Hens and cook covered
  • 2. Orange Sauce 2 cups liquids drippings from pan if not 2 cups add enough orange juice to make the 2 cups 2 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3. Make a rue and then add the 2 cups drippings Bring to a boil then simmer for 10 minutes Sauce should be placed on the table so all can take what they want.
  • 4. cook at 350 degrees baste every 15 minutes cook for 1 1/2 hours and don't forget to baste. * COOKING TIME will be adjusted per the size of the Hens...

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

ORANGE BALSAMIC CORNISH HENS



Orange Balsamic Cornish Hens image

Make and share this Orange Balsamic Cornish Hens recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

6 rock cornish game hens, rinsed and patted dry
coarse salt
coarse black pepper
1 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 cup aged balsamic vinegar
3 -4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
7 -8 stems fresh rosemary, leaves chopped

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil; set a baking rack in each pan.
  • Using poultry shears or a sharp chef's knife, cut along both sides of each hen's backbone and discard.
  • Open the birds up and turn skin side up, pressing lightly on the breastbones to flatten them a bit.
  • Arrange 3 hens on each baking rack, skin side up, and season liberally with salt and pepper.
  • Mix the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar, and oil together; pour evenly over the hens, and sprinkle with rosemary.
  • Roast hens for 15 minutes at 425°, then decrease heat to 375° and roast for 30 minutes more, OR until the juices run clear (I'd check doneness with an instant read thermometer).
  • Let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving.

CHRISTMAS CORNISH GAME HENS



Christmas Cornish Game Hens image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 large carrots, roughly chopped
3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
3 large onions, roughly chopped
2 parsnips, rough chopped
2 oranges, cut into wedges
6 Cornish game hens (about 2 pounds each), rinsed and dried thoroughly
Olive oil, to drizzle
Holiday Dry Rub, recipe follows
2 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Spread the vegetables and orange out evenly in the roasting pans. Place the Cornish game hens over the vegetables. Drizzle with olive oil. Rub the oil into the hens and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture, remembering to season the cavity. Place some vegetables and an orange wedge in the cavity of the birds.
  • Place in the oven and roast for 45 minutes or until the juices run clear and they are browned. Let the hens rest 10 minutes before carving.
  • Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.

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

HICKORY SMOKED CORNISH GAME HEN



Hickory Smoked Cornish Game Hen image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h25m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon Neely's Dry Rub
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning
4 (1 1/2 to 2 pounds) Cornish game hens, washed and dried well
2 tablespoons butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Dash hot sauce

Steps:

  • Whisk together the dry rub, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Season the washed and dried game hens with the rub and arrange on a sheet tray. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add butter to melt. Once melted, add the shallots and saute until tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the chicken broth and orange juice. Bring to a simmer and let reduce down to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. It will easily coat the back of a spoon and be slightly syrupy. Once reduced add the apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Taste for seasoning.
  • Prepare your grill/smoker for indirect heat with charcoal and hickory chips. Maintain your temperature at 275 degrees F.
  • Arrange the game hens on the grill and cover. Smoke for 40 minutes. Remove the cover and brush the hens with the glaze, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Cover the grill and smoke for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the hens from the grill, to a serving platter and let rest, covered with foil for 15 minutes before serving.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH ORANGE AND HONEY



Cornish Game Hens with Orange and Honey image

Categories     Garlic     Onion     Roast     Orange     Red Wine     Spring     Honey     Watercress     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/4 cups orange juice
1 1/4 cups dry red wine
1/2 cup honey
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 1 1/2-pound Cornish game hens, giblets removed
3 small onions, quartered
12 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bunch watercress

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl. Pour 2 cups sauce into medium saucepan. Reserve remaining 1 cup sauce.
  • Rinse hens inside and out. Pat hens dry with paper towels. Cut and scrape off any visible fat from hens. Sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper. Place 3 onion quarters and 3 garlic cloves in cavity of each hen. Arrange hens on rack on large rimmed baking sheet.
  • Roast hens 10 minutes. Baste with reserved 1 cup sauce. Continue roasting until hens are golden and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, basting often with pan juices and reserved 1 cup sauce, about 45 minutes longer.
  • Transfer hens to cutting board; tent with foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices to 4-cup glass measuring cup. Spoon fat off top of pan juices. Pour pan juices into 2 cups sauce in saucepan. Boil until sauce is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 12 minutes.
  • Discard onions and garlic from hen cavities. Using poultry shears, cut hens in half lengthwise. Remove backbones. Spoon some sauce onto plates. Place hens atop sauce. Garnish with watercress. Serve with remaining sauce.

ROAST CORNISH GAME HENS WITH ORANGE-TERIYAKI SAUCE



Roast Cornish Game Hens with Orange-Teriyaki Sauce image

Provided by Kathy Grady

Categories     Chicken     Citrus     Game     Ginger     Poultry     Roast     Orange     Spring     Bon Appétit     Massachusetts

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup thick teriyaki baste and glaze
1 cup orange juice
4 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons grated orange peel
1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger
4 1- to 1 1/4-pound Cornish game hens
2/3 cup canned low-salt chicken broth

Steps:

  • Whisk first 5 ingredients in bowl to blend for marinade. Place hens in plastic bag. Add 1 cup marinade; seal bag. Let hens marinate 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate up to 3 hours, turning bag occasionally. Reserve remaining marinade.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Place rack on large rimmed baking sheet. Arrange hens on rack; drizzle with marinade from bag. Roast hens until cooked through and brown, basting occasionally with reserved marinade from bowl, about 1 hour.
  • Transfer hens to platter. Scrape juices into pan; add broth and any remaining marinade. Bring sauce to boil. Season with salt and pepper; spoon over hens.

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

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your dish.
  • Don't overcook the game hens. They should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but not any longer, or they will become dry and tough.
  • Let the game hens rest before carving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
  • Serve the game hens with a variety of sides. Some good options include roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad.

Conclusion:

Orange balsamic rock Cornish game hens are a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of sweet oranges and tangy balsamic vinegar creates a flavorful glaze that perfectly complements the tender meat of the game hens. This dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.

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