15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (2024)

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (1)

Are you looking for a mouthwatering and elegant dish to impress your dinner guests? Look no further than Cornish hens! These petite birds may be small in size, but they pack a flavorful punch that will leave everyone wanting more.

In this blog post, we will explore the best Cornish hen recipes that are sure to elevate your dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a cooking novice, these recipes are guaranteed to make your taste buds dance with delight. So, get ready to indulge in the succulent and tender meat of Cornish hens like never before!

1. Cornish Hens

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The Easy Cornish Hens recipe is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy individual-sized servings of chicken. The hens are seasoned with a flavorful mixture of garlic, butter, and herbs, and are cooked to perfection.

The recipe also suggests stuffing the hens with onions, lemons, and more herbs for added flavor. Overall, this recipe is a great option for those looking for a moist and well-seasoned Cornish Hen dish.

2. Cornish Game Hens

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Cornish Game Hens are small birds coated in a lemony garlic and rosemary mixture, stuffed with more lemon, garlic, and rosemary, and baked over red potatoes and onions. They are tender, juicy, and elegant to serve.

The recipe calls for simple ingredients like red potatoes, onions, lemon, garlic, and rosemary. The hens are rubbed with a flavorful mixture and filled with lemon wedges, rosemary, and garlic cloves. The result is a delicious and visually appealing dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a fancy dinner.

3. Roasted Cornish Hen

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The Roasted Cornish Hen recipe is a perfect option for those who are cooking for one or for a date night. With the flavors of rosemary and paprika, this recipe delivers delicious results. The Cornish hen is seasoned with lemon, salt, pepper, paprika, and rosemary, and then roasted in the oven.

It is basted with the pan juices and cooked until it reaches a safe internal temperature. The end result is a flavorful and tender Cornish hen that is perfect for a single serving or for a romantic dinner.

4. Cast Iron Roasted Cornish Game Hens

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Cast Iron Roasted Cornish Game Hens is an easy and flavorful recipe that delivers moist and tender hens with crispy skin. The homemade seasoning salt adds a delicious blend of herbs and spices.

The dish is made in one cast iron pan, making it convenient and hassle-free. Overall, this recipe is a great option for those looking for a delicious and impressive meal.

5. Cornish Hen

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The Cornish Hen recipe is a delicious and flavorful option for a special meal. The Mediterranean garlic and spice marinade adds a burst of flavor to the tender and juicy Cornish hens.

It is a perfect dish for serving individuals or splitting in half for a delightful meal. Pair it with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables or sweet potatoes for a complete and satisfying dining experience.

6. Cranberry Orange Glazed Cornish Hens

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (7)

The Cranberry Orange Glazed Cornish Hens recipe is a perfect choice for holiday family dinners. The combination of fresh cranberries and orange juice creates a festive and flavorful glaze that adds a delightful tanginess to the juicy Cornish hens.

The recipe also includes a side dish of Panko crusted roasted potatoes, which complements the hens perfectly. Overall, this recipe is a winner for those looking to impress their guests with a delicious and festive meal.

7. Baked Cornish Game Hen

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (8)

Baked Cornish Game Hen is a simple and flavorful recipe that is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. The hens are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor from olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs.

Each person gets their own little hen, making it a fun and impressive dish to serve. It can be cooked from frozen if needed, and pairs well with a variety of side dishes like roasted asparagus or scalloped potatoes. Overall, Baked Cornish Game Hen is a reliable and delicious recipe that is sure to please.

8. Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens

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The Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens recipe is a delightful option for a holiday meal or a special dinner at home. These small game hens are seasoned with fresh herbs, orange zest, and garlic, creating a burst of flavorful aromas.

The pan sauce adds richness to the dish, making it even more enjoyable. Overall, this recipe offers a unique and elegant twist on traditional Cornish hens.

9. Crockpot Cornish Hens

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (10)

The Crockpot Cornish Hens recipe is a simple and flavorful way to prepare tender and delicious cornish hens. With the help of a slow cooker, the meat becomes incredibly tender and falls apart easily.

The recipe calls for basic ingredients like cornish hens, onion, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, chicken broth, and a few spices. The hens are cooked on high for 4 hours and can be finished under the broiler for a crispy and browned skin. This recipe is perfect for those looking for an easy and tasty way to enjoy cornish hens.

10. Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Cornish Hen

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The Ninja Foodi Air Fryer Cornish Hen recipe is a delicious and convenient way to enjoy a crispy and flavorful meal.

The hen is perfectly seasoned and cooked to juicy perfection, while the accompanying potatoes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. It's a simple and satisfying weeknight dinner option that can be easily prepared in the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer.

11. Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hen

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The Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hen is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines the sweetness of orange juice and honey with the tanginess of apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard.

The marinade, infused with ginger and garlic, adds depth to the tender and succulent meat. The dish is easy to prepare and perfect for special occasions or a gourmet dinner at home.

12. Roast Cornish Hens

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Roast Cornish Hens are a flavorful and elegant dish that will impress your family and guests. Made with tender and juicy Cornish game hens, the dish is seasoned with garlic butter and Creole seasoning for a bold and savory taste.

The hens are roasted to perfection, resulting in crispy skin and succulent meat. Serve them with roasted fingerling potatoes and honey-glazed baby carrots for a complete and delicious meal.

13. Cornish Hens with Stuffing

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Cornish Hens with Stuffing is a delicious and flavorful recipe that elevates the traditional Thanksgiving meal. The hens are roasted to perfection, with a crispy skin and juicy meat. The stuffing is a classic bread stuffing, infused with herbs and vegetables for added taste.

The apple glaze adds a tangy and sweet element, replacing the need for gravy. Overall, this recipe is a great option for those looking to impress their guests with a unique and tasty dish.

14. Cornish Game Hens with Bourbon Glaze

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (15)

Cornish Game Hens with Bourbon Glaze is an elegant and easy recipe perfect for entertaining. The hens are seasoned with butter, salt, and pepper, then roasted to perfection.

The glaze, made with butter, garlic, bourbon, and honey, adds a sweet and smoky flavor. The hens are brushed with the glaze and caramelized in the oven for a delicious finishing touch. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a great choice for a special occasion.

15. Roasted Cornish Hens

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (16)

Roasted Cornish Hens is a simple and delicious one-pan meal that is perfect for any occasion. The hens are coated in a flavorful herb butter and roasted in the oven.

Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes are added halfway through for a complete and colorful meal. The recipe is easy to follow and the cleanup is minimal. Overall, Roasted Cornish Hens is a fantastic option for a fancy dinner or a cozy weeknight meal.

15 Cornish Hen Recipes that Will Have You Hen-thusiastic! | DineWithDrinks (2024)

FAQs

Should Cornish hens be cooked covered or uncovered? ›

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.

What pairs well with Cornish hens? ›

pomegranate-glazed cornish hen pairing options
  • creamy risotto.
  • bacony chopped salad.
  • rice, spiced with bay leaves, cilantro, and pepper.
  • cheesy polenta.
  • stewed tomatoes.
  • crispy air-fried potatoes.
  • oaky chardonnay or sauvignon blanc.
Feb 13, 2023

What is the best way to eat Cornish hens? ›

Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect as a serving for one person or split in half when served with some delicious sides. I love pairing this easy roasted Cornish hen recipe with my Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables; or Brussels sprouts... Lots more ideas below!

Are Cornish hens healthier than chicken? ›

Nutrition. Cornish hens' adolescence also contributes to a lower fat content. Since they are comprised of primarily white meat, Cornish hens are very lean and rich in niacin, which can help lower cholesterol and boost brain function.

What temperature should Cornish hens be cooked at? ›

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

Do you have to remove anything from a Cornish hen before cooking? ›

Remove giblet bag from cavity and reserve for making sauces, etc. Heavily brining or marinating product is unnecessary as Cornish birds are small and meat is quite succulent.

Are Cornish hens worth it? ›

A lot of the best qualities of a great roast chicken are accentuated in Cornish hens. Their flavor is often described as rich and moist with a hint of sweetness. Because they're harvested so young, Cornish hens' meat is exceptionally tender. Their high skin-to-meat ratio makes them remarkably succulent too.

Is a Cornish hen enough for one person? ›

One whole hen weighs 1 to 11/4 pounds. There is a small amount of meat to bone with Cornish hens, so plan on one per person for a generous serving. If you'd like to split them in half for two servings, the easiest way is to turn them over so they are breast side down.

What is the difference between a Cornish hen and a Cornish game hen? ›

A Cornish Game Hen is a Cornish cross bird that is processed around 4-5 weeks old that results in a bird that is 2 pounds or less. This classification is set by the USDA. At this small size, the skin of the bird is thinner, the meat is more tender and this allows for better absorption of marinades, spices, and sauces.

How do you get the gamey taste out of Cornish hens? ›

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

Why is my Cornish hen tough? ›

One of the primary contributors to tough chicken meat is the age of the bird at the time of slaughter, Knight said. “As the [bird] gets older the muscle fibers become tough,” he said. “So a 2-year-old hen or 3-year-old farm rooster is going to be tough.”

How many Cornish hens can I cook at once? ›

Lay a wire rack in the bottom of a big roasting pan and place 6 Cornish game hens on it. If you don't have a wire rack that fits the pan, bunch up a few pieces of aluminum foil and place these on the bottom of the pan. You can easily cut this recipe in half or a third if you only want to make 2 or 3 hens.

Do you cook Cornish hens breast up or down? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. ...
  2. 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.
Nov 22, 2017

Why are Cornish hens so expensive? ›

Why are Cornish hens so expensive? Part of the price is due to its decades-old reputation as an exotic new bird (though it really isn't). It's been marketed as a fancy alternative to chicken and so manufacturer's can get away with charging such a steep price.

What is another name for a Cornish hen? ›

Cornish game hen (also Rock Cornish game hen) is the USDA-approved name for a particular variety of broiler chicken, produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds, that is served young and immature, weighing no more than two pounds (900 g) ready to cook.

How to keep Cornish hens from drying out? ›

Your leftover roasted Cornish hens will last 3-4 days in the fridge or 1-3 months in the freezer. It reheats very well in the microwave. You can also keep some of the pan drippings and reheat the chicken in a skillet with the drippings to prevent it from drying out.

What is the purpose of a rack in a roasting pan when preparing Cornish hens? ›

Roasting Cornish hens on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet also helps elevate the birds so that the thighs cook as quickly as the breasts. Cornish hens are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and their juices run clear.

Can you microwave an entire Cornish hen to cook it thoroughly Why or why not? ›

Because they are so small (usually about 20 ounces) it is quite simple. Place one or two hens on a microwave safe rack set in a baking dish (About 8X12 inches in size). Cover with a piece of wax paper and cook on high about 14 minutes or until the juices run clear rotating the dish once during the cooking.

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