Roast Cornish Hen

Looking for an elegant recipe for a special occasion at home?

This recipe for roast Cornish hens or “game hens” is simple to prepare, delicious and as easy as it is elegant.

This recipe comes together in one dish for easy cleanup.
Cornish hens come out tender and juicy with crispy skin.
The juices of the game hens. flavor vegetables for a cozy and delicious meal.
this recipe looks gourmet, But it’s as easy as it could be!

vegetables on a plate and hen on a plate to make roast Cornish hen

What You’ll Need for This Cornish Hen Recipe

Cornish Hen: Cornish hens (also known as game chickens) are a breed of chicken that weighs between 1 ½ and 2 pounds, as opposed to a normal chicken that weighs 4 pounds or more. Cornish hens are fully mature, weigh less and the meat is super tender. Most of the time you can find them in the supermarket, in the freezer near the frozen turkeys.

Rub: A simple mixture of olive oil and herbs flavors the skin. Rosemary, lemon zest, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper create the perfect savory flavor.

Vegetables: Add potatoes, carrots and onions to the pan. Place the vegetables around the chickens and once cooked, remove the chickens and add the vegetables to all the delicious juices for more flavor.

Variations

Try tucking sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano in between the greens, or rubbing the outside of the hen with your favorite. seasoning mix For super tasty skin!

Chunks of zucchini, Brussels sprouts, or bell peppers can be added to the pan with the other vegetables.

spread olive oil mixture to make roast Cornish hen

How to cook Cornish hens

Brush the chickens with oil and season. Tuck the wings under the bird and place in a frying pan. Arrange the vegetables around the Cornish hens.
Bake, uncovered, according to recipe instructions below.
Remove the chickens from the oven and let them rest before serving.

PRO TIP: Place the roasting pan under the broiler until the skin turns golden brown and crispy!

Roasted Cornish hen before cooking in a casserole

Tips for a perfect Cornish hen

For best results, rub a little salt into the cavity of the chickens to draw out more moisture as they roast; This also helps season the meat a little more.
You can also add a few sprigs of fresh herbs or a slice of lemon to the cavity.
If you save on bacon grease, this is a perfect way to substitute olive oil for bacon grease, adding another subtle layer of flavor!
The most important tip is to make sure the chicken is cooked to a juicy 165°F. I take the chickens out of the oven at 160°F as the temperature will continue to rise while they rest.

Elegant side dishes to accompany Cornish hens

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image from Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Oven-roasted Cornish hen in a casserole with potatoes and carrots

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Roasted Cornish hen is tender and juicy with crispy golden brown skin.

Preparation time 20 minutes

Cooking time 55 minutes

Rest time 10 minutes

Total time 1 hour 25 minutes

Cooking modePrevent your screen from going dark

Preheat oven to 450°F.
If using, toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. You can add herbs if you wish.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the herbs. Brush chickens with olive oil mixture. Twist the wings to tuck them under the bird.
Place Cornish hens in a 9×13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the prepared vegetables around the chickens and place them in the oven. Reduce heat to 400°F.
Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until chickens reach 165°F* on a thermometer. Make sure the thermometer does not touch the bone.
Transfer the chickens to a serving plate and cover loosely with aluminum foil for 10 minutes.
Add the vegetables to the pan juices. If necessary, you can place them back in the oven while the chickens rest. If the vegetables are cooked to your liking, turn off the oven and place them inside to keep them warm.
Cut the chickens in half with kitchen shears and serve with the vegetables.

Cornish hens can range in size from 1.5 to 2.25 pounds. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the chickens.
Birds should reach a final temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat without the thermometer touching the bone. I take the chickens out of the oven at 160°F as they will continue to cook as they rest and reach 165°F.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary depending on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Starter, Main Course

Kitchen American

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Crispy Oven Roasted Cornish Hen with Writing

juicy roast Cornish hen on the plate and close up with a caption

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Roast Cornish Hen – Spend with pennies