Roasted Cornish Hen
Roasted Cornish Hen is tender, juicy, and oh-so-flavorful! The whole family will love this easy dish!
Prep: 20min
Total: 85min
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 568 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Protein 39 g, Fat 42 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Cholesterol 227 mg, Sodium 450 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 3 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 2 cornish hens (about 1.5 pounds each)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoon thyme leaves
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pound potatoes (chopped)
- 2 carrots (chopped)
- 1 onion (chopped)
Instruction:
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste (add extra herbs if you’d like).
- Combine the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and herbs in a small bowl. Brush hens with olive oil mixture. Twist wings to tuck under the bird.
- Place hens in a large casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Arrange the prepared vegetables around the hens and place in the oven. Reduce heat to 400°F.
- Bake 55-65 minutes or just until hens reach 165°F with a thermometer and vegetables are tender. (Ensure the thermometer does not touch the bone.)
- Remove from the oven and loosely tent with foil for 10 minutes before cutting.
- Cut hens in half using kitchen scissors and serve.
How To Make Perfect Roasted Cornish Hens | Tender, Juicy, & Delicious!
FAQ
Do you cover Cornish hens when baking?
Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
Do you bake Cornish hens breast up or down?
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. …
- Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
How long does it take to cook Cornish chicken?
How Long to Cook Cornish Hens. Depending on their size, these Cornish game hens should be fully cooked after about 25 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. You’ll know they’re done when the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear, but make sure to check the internal temperature before serving to be safe.
How is Cornish hen different from chicken?
For starters, Cornish hens are chicken, but the comparison isn’t quite as straightforward as it sounds. Specifically, Cornish chickens are a breed from England. The female chickens, called ‘hens,’ aren’t known as skilled egg-producers, so they are generally bred for their meat.
What is special about Cornish hens?
They cost more than regular chicken, but as splurges go, it’s a cheap thrill. Aside from the diminutive size, their most notable trait is the tenderness of their meat, and the way it can accommodate a lemony marinade or quickly absorb the flavors of a spice rub.
Do you have to remove anything from a Cornish hen before cooking?
Recipe tips and notes
There is no need to rinse the Cornish hens or any meat before cooking.
