How To Cook Cornish Game Hens

Fancy and baked to crispy perfection these cornish hens will be the star of the show. Not only are they insanely delicious but they are so simple to make! If you want to turn this into a full-on feast then you should cook these up with some sides like potatoes, salad, and carrots. They will complement these hens perfectly!

Cornish Game Hens

Cornish game hens are similar to roasted chicken. They are a hearty and filling dinner that looks super fancy. And… the best part about them is that, unlike a turkey, they only take a few minutes to prep and cook! But they still pack a punch when it comes to looks and flavor. These cornish hens will deliver on everything and take your meal to the next level! So now that you know that they are hearty and taste delicious, what exactly are cornish game hens? So this particular meat is just a smaller breed of chicken. Instead of weighing 4-6 lbs when fully grown, they mature at about 2 lbs. Because they are so much smaller, it makes them easier to prepare and cook! Plus the meat on cornish hens is super tender which is what makes them taste extra good!

Ingredients for Cornish Hens

Don’t let the fancy name hold you back from cooking up these bad boys. They are so easy and delicious, anyone can make them! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Cornish game hens: You can find these in the freezer section near the frozen turkeys in your local grocery store. Try to find ones that are about 1.5 lbs each. Lemon: The lemon slices will help add a bright and fresh flavor.Onion: Bringing in that savory flavor, these onions really add to the delicious taste. Garlic cloves: Make sure to peel your garlic cloves before adding them to your hens!Rosemary and Thyme stems: These bring in that earthy flavor that is often used as in meat rubs.Olive oil: These are used as the base of the rub to make all of the seasonings stick to the hens.Dried Italian herbs: The first part of the rub. These flavors are classic. Garlic powder and onion powder: Adding these in to the Italian herbs, these add a stronger flavor. Kosher salt and Pepper: Use these to your liking! Garnish ideas: You can use fresh lemon slices, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, fresh parsley

How to Cook Cornish Hens

These hens are easy to prep and fast to cook. They are SOO GOOD and will be worth any time you spend cooking them!

When are they safe to eat? You are looking for the hens to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before they are safe to eat. You can use a in-oven meat thermometer that you can keep an eye on while its cooking. Or, you can stick a meat thermometer in it after you have taken them out of the oven. The best place to check the temperature will be in the thickest part of the breast. Add some salt: To get the most flavor out of your cornish hens then you can rub some salt on the inside of the hen’s cavity. This helps draw out the moisture and makes the meat super tender and juicy. Let them rest: The most important part when cooking meat in the oven is to let it rest! After you take these out of the oven, don’t cut into them right away. Let them sit for about 10 minutes. When you let meat rest, you give it time to absorb all of the juices it made while cooking. This is the easiest and best way to ensure that your meat doesn’t turn out dry. Don’t skip this step!

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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.