Best 4 Seasoned Cornish Hens Recipes

Embark on a culinary journey with our tantalizing Cornish hens, meticulously seasoned to perfection. These exquisite birds are roasted to golden-brown crispness, exuding an irresistible aroma that will tantalize your senses. Each bite offers a symphony of flavors, from the savory blend of herbs and spices to the tender, succulent meat. Prepare to indulge in a delightful feast, as we present three enticing recipes that will transform your dining experience.

Let's cook with our recipes!

HERBED CORNISH HENS

Herbed Cornish Hens image

The refreshing sauce Mom makes with thyme, lemon juice and butter gives these hens savory flavor throughout. The seasonings in this recipe also work great on a whole roasted chicken. Either way, the result is a mouthwatering feast.-Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

6 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
1-1/4 teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
1-1/8 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

Place the hens on a wire rack in a large roasting pan. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, butter, paprika and 1 teaspoon each of thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder. Pour half over the hens; set the remaining mixture aside for basting. Combine salt, pepper and remaining thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder; sprinkle over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes. Baste with reserved lemon juice mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer, basting occasionally, or until the meat is tender and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts :

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

Ingredients

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.

SEASONED CORNISH HENS

Seasoned Cornish Hens image

My father taught me how to make this quick and easy dinner for four. We usually eat this dish with rice and steamed green beans. Note: You can get the oyster sauce in this recipe at your local grocery store in the Asian food department.

Provided by Phuong

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 1h30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

½ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
ground black pepper to taste
2 large Cornish game hens
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and pepper. Place Cornish game hens in the mixture, and marinate 10 minutes.
Transfer hens to a medium baking dish, and cover with the marinade mixture. Cover dish, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
Remove cover from dish, and place 1/2 the butter on each hen. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Basting frequently with the marinade mixture, continue baking 30 minutes, or until exterior of the hens is lightly browned and crisp, the interior is no longer pink, and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 579.2 calories, Carbohydrate 3.6 g, Cholesterol 270.4 mg, Fat 41.3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 45.6 g, SaturatedFat 13.5 g, Sodium 2024.5 mg, Sugar 0.6 g

EASY CORNISH HENS

Easy Cornish Hens image

Cornish hens with herbs cooked in the slow cooker are very juicy and the meat falls off the bone.

Provided by joychick

Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 4h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

⅓ cup lemon juice
¼ cup margarine, melted
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 Cornish game hens
½ teaspoon ground thyme
⅛ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup chicken broth
⅓ cup lemon juice
¼ cup chilled margarine, cut into cubes

Steps:

Mix 1/3 cup lemon juice, melted margarine, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, garlic powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Pour and rub lemon juice mixture over Cornish hens. Mix 1/2 teaspoon thyme, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; sprinkle over Cornish hens.
Pour chicken broth and 1/3 cup lemon juice into a slow cooker.
Place about 1 tablespoon chilled margarine in the cavity of each hen; place hens in the slow cooker. Arrange the remaining margarine cubes in the chicken broth mixture.
Cook hens in the slow cooker on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.2 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 152.2 mg, Fat 43.6 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 9.7 g, Sodium 650.1 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

Tips:

Prep the Cornish hens: Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry. Remove any excess fat or giblets. For extra flavor, consider spatchcocking the hens (flattening them out) before cooking.
Season the hens generously: Use a combination of your favorite herbs, spices, and seasonings to create a flavor-packed rub. Common choices include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme. Be sure to season the cavity of the hens as well.
Roast the hens at a high temperature: This will help to crisp the skin and lock in the juices. Start by roasting the hens at 450°F (230°C) for 20 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue roasting for another 30-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Baste the hens regularly: This will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out. Use a mixture of melted butter, olive oil, and herbs to baste the hens every 15-20 minutes.
Let the hens rest before serving: Once the hens are cooked, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.

Conclusion:

Cornish hens are a delicious and versatile main course option that can be enjoyed for any occasion. With their tender meat and crispy skin, they are sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Whether you choose to roast them, grill them, or bake them, there are endless possibilities for creating flavorful and satisfying Cornish hen dishes. So next time you're looking for a special meal, give Cornish hens a try. You won't be disappointed!