Roasted Cornish Hens
A simple yet elegant recipe for roasting Cornish hens that is perfect for impressing your family or guests without the fuss.
Ingredients
For the hens
- 2 pieces Cornish game hens About 1-2 pounds each
- 2 Tbsp Unsalted butter Softened
- 1 Tbsp Salt Generously
- 4 cloves Fresh garlic Crushed
- 2 sprigs Fresh thyme Fresh or dried
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary Fresh or dried
- 1 tsp Cracked black pepper
- 1 Tbsp Lemon zest To enhance flavor
For stuffing (optional)
- 1 pieces Lemon Cut into quarters
- 2 sprigs Extra fresh herbs Thyme or rosemary
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Pat the Cornish hens dry to ensure crispy skin.
- Check inside for giblets and discard them if desired.
- Loosen the skin of the hens with your fingers, careful not to tear it.
- In a bowl, mix together butter, salt, garlic, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and lemon zest.
- Rub the butter mixture under the skin of each hen.
- You can stuff the cavities with lemon quarters and extra herbs if desired.
- Tie the legs with kitchen twine if you want to keep them neat (optional).
Cooking
- Place the hens breast-side up on a roasting dish or sheet tray.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, spooning pan juices over them halfway through.
- Check for doneness using a meat thermometer; the thickest part of the thigh should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
You can prep the hens a few hours in advance and store them covered in the fridge. They reheat well. Suggested sides include garlic green beans and apple cake for dessert.