When I spotted these at the store, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try roasting them. To my surprise, the roasted Cornish hens were even more tender than the oven roasted chicken or slow cooker whole chicken I’ve made before! (Turns out, they are known for this.) And with aromatic herbs and zesty citrus, this recipe looks gourmet enough for a date night at home or holiday meal… without a lot of hands-on prep.
What Is A Cornish Hen?
A Cornish hen, sometimes called a Cornish game hen, is a small breed of chicken known for its tender meat. Despite the name, these hens are not game birds at all, but rather a type of domesticated chicken. They typically weigh 1 to 2 pounds and are often roasted whole or split in half, making them elegant and convenient for individual servings.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for Cornish game hen, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Cornish Game Hens – You can usually find Cornish hens in the poultry section of most grocery stores, or at the butcher. Look for birds that are plump, with firm skin. Sea Salt & Black Pepper Garlic – Placing whole cloves in the cavity of the bird adds flavor to the meat as it roasts. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder in the seasoning mixture over the skin instead. Fresh Herbs – You will need sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme for the cavity of the bird, plus more of them chopped for seasoning the outside. If you only have dried herbs on hand, use 1 teaspoon of each type on the skin and rub some extra inside the cavity. You can also use other fresh herbs, like sage, parsley, or marjoram, to add different flavors to your roasted Cornish hen. Lemons – Since we are using both the juice and the zest, you will need fresh lemons. If you like, you can replace the lemons with orange juice and zest for a sweeter flavor. Olive Oil – This adds flavor and helps the seasonings stick. You can use other heat-safe oils here, such as avocado oil. Chicken Broth – Broth at the bottom of the baking dish helps keep the Cornish hen recipe moist. I used reduced-sodium broth simply because that’s what I always buy, but you can use regular chicken broth or even make your own chicken broth or bone broth if you prefer.
How To Cook Cornish Hens
This section shows how to cook a Cornish hen in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: Place meat from the Cornish hen recipe (with or without bones) in an airtight container with the juices, and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Meal prep: Use leftovers to make chicken salad sandwiches, or shred them over a cobb salad or meal prep mason jar salads. Reheat: Just like chicken, you can reheat these in the microwave if you need to, but they stay more juicy if you warm them up in the oven at 350 degrees F. Freeze: Keep the meat in airtight freezer-safe containers or zip lock bags in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
What To Serve With Cornish Hen Recipes
Depending on the size of your Cornish hens, each one might be a full serving or half a serving. Mine were 1.5 pounds and plenty for two servings each. If that’s the case, slice them in half along the breastbone and backbone with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. This is because the juices will naturally settle in the breast meat as they cook. Like chicken recipes, this Cornish game hen recipe works alongside a variety of sides. Here are some of my favorite sides for an elegant meal:
Mash – Mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower (pictured above) are perfect for drizzling with the pan juices. You could also opt for easy oven roasted potatoes instead. Vegetables – For a quick and fancy side, pair these hens with elegant green beans almondine or sweet honey roasted carrots. For a comforting meal, try roasted cauliflower and broccoli or roasted delicata squash. Salad – My go-tos are a classic wedge salad or sweet kale salad, but virtually any salad recipe can pair with these hens.
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