Roasted Cornish Hen

Looking for a fancy recipe for a special occasion at home?

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

This recipe comes together in just one dish for easy cleanup.
Cornish game hens come out tender and juicy with crisp skin.
The juices from the game hens flavor the veggies for a cozy, delicious meal.
This recipe looks gourmet, but it’s as easy as could be!

vegetables in a dish and hen on a plate to make Roasted Cornish Hen

What You’ll Need for This Cornish Hen Recipe

Cornish Hen: Cornish hens (aka game hens) are a breed of chickens that weigh about 1 ½ to 2 pounds as opposed to a regular chicken that weighs 4 or more pounds. Cornish hens are fully matured at a smaller weight, and the meat is super tender. You can most often find them at the grocery store in the freezer near the frozen turkeys.

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

Vegetables: Potatoes, carrots, and onions are added to the pan. Arrange the veggies around the hens, and once cooked, remove the hens and stir the veggies into all of the delicious juices for extra flavor!

Variations

Try tucking sprigs of fresh rosemary, thyme, or oregano amongst the veggies, or rub the outside of the hen with your favorite seasoning mix for a super savory skin!

Chunks of zucchini, squash, brussels sprouts, or bell peppers can be added to the pan with the other veggies.

spreading olive oil mixutre to make Roasted Cornish Hen

How to Cook Cornish Hens

Brush the hens with oil and season. Tuck wings under the bird and place them on a pan. Arrange vegetables around the cornish hens.
Bake, uncovered according to recipe directions below.
Remove hens 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 gets crispy!

Roasted Cornish Hen before cooking in a casserole dish

Tips for Perfect Cornish Hen

For best results, rub some salt into the cavity of the hens to draw more moisture out while it roasts; this also helps season the meat a little more.
A few sprigs of fresh herbs or a slice of lemon can be added to the cavity as well.
If you save bacon grease, this is a perfect way to substitute bacon grease for the olive oil, adding another subtle layer of flavor!
The most important tip is to ensure that the chicken is cooked to a juicy 165°F. I remove the hens from the oven at 160°F as the temperature will continue to rise as they rest.

Elegant Sides to Pair with Cornish Hens

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

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Rest Time 10 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

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Preheat oven to 450°F.
If using, toss the vegetables with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste. You can add herbs if you’d like.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and herbs. Brush hens with the olive oil mixture. Twist wings to tuck under the bird.
Place cornish hens in a 9×13-inch baking 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 for 55 to 65 minutes or until the hens reach 165°F* with a thermometer. Ensure the thermometer does not touch the bone.
Transfer the hens to a serving plate and loosely tent with foil for 10 minutes.
Stir the vegetables into the juices on the pan. If needed, you can place them back into the oven as the hens rest. If the vegetables are cooked to your liking, turn the oven off and place them in the oven to keep warm.
Cut hens in half using kitchen scissors and serve with the vegetables.

Cornish hens can range in size from 1.5 to 2.25lbs. Cooking time can vary slightly based on the size of your hens.
Poultry should reach a final temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat with the thermometer not touching the bone. I remove the hens from the oven at 160°F as they will continue to cook as they rest and will reach 165°F.

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

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

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