Best 8 Tender Stuffed Cornish Hens Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey with our delectable Stuffed Cornish Hens, a dish that captivates the senses with its tender meat, savory stuffing, and aromatic herbs. Roasted to perfection, these Cornish hens are a symphony of flavors, perfect for special occasions or an elegant dinner. Inside this article, you'll find a collection of recipes that showcase the versatility of this dish. From the classic Herb-Roasted Cornish Hens to the mouthwatering Apple-Stuffed Cornish Hens, each recipe offers a unique twist on this timeless dish. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests with these culinary masterpieces.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Stuffed Cornish Hens image

With a golden and flavorful stuffing, these tender hens are a special-occasion entree perfect for two. -Wanda Jean Sain, Hickory, North Carolina

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced chives
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

Steps:

  • In a small skillet, saute onion and rice in 2 tablespoons butter until rice is browned. Add the water, soup, lemon juice, chives, parsley and bouillon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Preheat oven to 375°., Sprinkle hen cavities with salt and pepper; stuff with rice mixture. Place with breast side up on a rack in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Melt remaining butter and add tarragon; brush some over the hens. , Cover loosely and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until a thermometer reads 170° for hens and 165° for stuffing, 30-45 minutes longer, basting frequently with tarragon butter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1076 calories, Fat 75g fat (29g saturated fat), Cholesterol 415mg cholesterol, Sodium 1097mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 63g protein.

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.

TENDER STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Tender Stuffed Cornish Hens image

I first served these hens at Thanksgiving one year when only a few of us gathered to celebrate the holiday. They're so yummy they often grace our table throughout the year. The wild rice stuffing offers a flavor my family always enjoys. -Jenny Holliday, Roanoke, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (6.2 ounces) fast-cooking long grain and wild rice mix
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
4 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Cook rice according to package directions. In a small skillet, saute celery and onion in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Stir in the soup, mushrooms and prepared rice., Sprinkle inside and outside of hens with salt and pepper. Stuff with rice mixture. Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan; cover with foil. , Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Remove foil. Melt remaining butter; brush over hens. Bake 25-35 minutes longer or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 46 g fat (17 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 257 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,618 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41 g carbohydrate, Fiber 3 g fiber, Protein 45 g protein.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens with Rice Stuffing image

My mother used to make this for Easter dinner. The rice stuffing is a perfect partner for the hens. Packaged wild rice mix can be used as well.

Provided by MOMMYCOFFEY

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons chopped onion
⅓ cup uncooked wild rice
1 cup water
1 cube chicken bouillon
½ teaspoon salt
2 Cornish game hens
salt to taste
¼ cup melted butter

Steps:

  • Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds, onion, and uncooked wild rice. Saute 5 to 10 minutes. Mix in the water, chicken bouillon cube, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes until rice is tender and easily fluffed with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Season the Cornish game hens inside and out with salt, and stuff with the rice mixture. Place the hens breast side up on a rack in a baking pan. Brush with 1/4 cup melted butter.
  • Cover the baking pan, and cook the hens 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue cooking 1 hour, or until the hens are no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 128.9 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 1341.1 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Stuffed Cornish Hens image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

2-1 1/2-pound cornish hens
Salt and pepper
4 slices bacon
12 small whole button mushrooms
12 pearl onions, peeled
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup fresh peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken stock
2-1 1/2-pound cornish hens
Salt and pepper
4 slices bacon
12 small whole button mushrooms
12 pearl onions, peeled
1/2 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup fresh peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups chicken stock

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season inside and out of cornish hens. In a bowl combine mushrooms, onions, carrots, peas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stuff vegetables into cavity of each bird to full capacity. Drizzle hens with remaining oil. Criss-cross 2 bacon slices across each hen, tucking ends under birds to keep in place. Place hens on a roasting rack in a roasting pan and pour chicken stock in bottom of pan. Roast hens 45 minutes to 1 hour or until an instant reading thermometer inserted in thickest part registers 170 degrees. Allow hens to rest, loosely covered with foil, for at least 10 minutes while you finish sauce. Bring sauce to a boil in roasting pan, scraping bottom of pan to incorporate any drippings; season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, drizzle hens with sauce.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Season inside and out of cornish hens. In a bowl combine mushrooms, onions, carrots, peas, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stuff vegetables into cavity of each bird to full capacity. Drizzle hens with remaining oil. Criss-cross 2 bacon slices across each hen, tucking ends under birds to keep in place. Place hens on a roasting rack in a roasting pan and pour chicken stock in bottom of pan. Roast hens 45 minutes to 1 hour or until an instant reading thermometer inserted in thickest part registers 170 degrees. Allow hens to rest, loosely covered with foil, for at least 10 minutes while you finish sauce. Bring sauce to a boil in roasting pan, scraping bottom of pan to incorporate any drippings; season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, drizzle hens with sauce.

STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Stuffed Cornish Hens image

This recipe combines long grain rice mix ,vegetables, and cream of mushroom soup to stuff cornish game hens. I got this recipe from a "make it from a mix" pamphlet, and was surprised by how good this is...like Thanksgiving, but easy enough to do everyday!

Provided by breezermom

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (6 1/4 ounce) package quick-cooking long grain and wild rice mix
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (4 ounce) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
4 Cornish hens, 24 ounces each
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook the rice according to package directions.
  • In a small skillet, saute celery and onion in 1 tbsp butter until tender. Stir in the soup, mushrooms and prepared rice.
  • Sprinkle the inside and outside of the game hens with salt and pepper. Stuff with the rice mixture. Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan; cover with foil.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove the foil. Melt the remaining butter; brush over the hens. Bake 25-35 minutes longer or until the juices run clear and a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees for the hens and 165 degrees for the stuffing.

GLAZED STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Glazed Stuffed Cornish Hens image

Cornish hens, basted with a delicious glaze of apricot preserves and cloves, make dinner for two something special. Gusty Crum of Dover, Ohio uses convenient packaged herb stuffing to complement the moist and tender meat.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h45m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups seasoned stuffing croutons
5 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
GLAZE:
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup apricot preserves
Dash ground cloves

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the croutons, water and butter. Loosely stuff into hens. Place breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan; tie drumsticks together., In a small saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil. Spoon half over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing, basting occasionally with remaining glaze.

Nutrition Facts :

SLOW COOKED STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Slow Cooked Stuffed Cornish Hens image

Succulent slow cooked stuffed Cornish hens. Serve with mashed potatoes or any choice of sides! I serve mine with mashed potatoes, peas, and a basket of peasant bread.

Provided by Slumber

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 9h51m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 21

½ cup butter
1 cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped white onion
1 teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
½ teaspoon dried parsley
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch dried oregano
1 pinch dried marjoram
6 cups cubed plain bread
2 cups chicken broth
2 Cornish game hens, thawed and giblets removed
salt and ground black pepper to taste
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup white wine
¼ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon dried sage
1 ½ teaspoons dried savory
1 ½ teaspoons dried rosemary
¼ cup butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9-inch baking pan.
  • Melt 1/2 cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion; cook and stir until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Mix in thyme, seasoned salt, parsley, black pepper, nutmeg, oregano, and marjoram.
  • Transfer herb mixture to a large bowl. Add cubed bread and 2 cups chicken broth; toss until well combined. Spread stuffing evenly over the prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
  • Place Cornish hens on a flat work surface. Sprinkle salt inside the cavities.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add hens; season exteriors lightly with salt and pepper. Cook, turning to press all sides into the oil, until browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove hens from heat, reserving the oil.
  • Spoon stuffing into the hen cavities; place hens in a slow cooker. Pour the reserved olive oil, wine, and 1/4 cup chicken broth into the slow cooker. Sprinkle sage, savory, and rosemary over the hens. Slice butter into 4 separate tablespoons and place on hens.
  • Cook hens on Low until tender and juicy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 502.5 calories, Carbohydrate 21.1 g, Cholesterol 142.4 mg, Fat 36.4 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 21.3 g, SaturatedFat 17 g, Sodium 570.5 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

Tips:

  • Choosing the Right Hens: Select cornish hens that are about 1 to 1.5 pounds each for a perfect serving size.
  • Preparing the Hens: Rinse the hens inside and out, and pat them dry with paper towels before stuffing them.
  • Stuffing Options: Experiment with different stuffing combinations to suit your taste. Consider using classic bread-based stuffing, wild rice, or a mixture of grains and nuts.
  • Seasoning the Hens: Generously season the hens inside and out with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. This will help enhance the flavor of the meat.
  • Roasting Technique: Roast the hens in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Basting the hens with butter or cooking juices during the roasting process will keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Resting the Hens: After roasting, let the hens rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in a more tender and succulent dish.

Conclusion:

Tender Stuffed Cornish Hens offer a delightful and versatile main course option for any occasion. With careful preparation, seasoning, and roasting techniques, you can create a flavorful and impressive dish that showcases the natural goodness of these delicate birds. Experiment with different stuffing combinations and accompaniments to cater to your unique preferences and create a memorable dining experience for your guests.

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