Thursday, February 5, 2026
HomeFoodCornish Hen

Cornish Hen

This Cornish hen recipe is a simple solution to make a chic meal. Cornish hens are seasoned and roasted alongside greens till tender and juicy.

A cooked cornish hen recipe with vegetables in a baking pan.

Cornish hens are a well-liked breed of chickens that hail from the English county of Cornwall. They’re about 2 kilos versus a daily hen that weighs in at 4 or extra kilos.

Cornish hens are absolutely matured on the smaller weight and the meat is tremendous tender. They’re typically preferable to larger birds as a result of they’re simpler to arrange, and take much less time to cook dinner. You’ll be able to typically discover them within the freezer close to the frozen turkeys.

potatoes , garlic powder , thyme , rosemary , oil , cornish hen , carrots , lemon , onion , salt and pepper with labels to make Roasted Cornish Hen

Elements 

  • Greens: Onions, carrots, and potatoes are cooked together with the hens for an entire meal in a single pan. The juices from the hens will taste the greens for an ideal meal. If you happen to want to roast the hens with out veggies, use a rack within the baking dish.
  • Seasonings: Rosemary, lemon zest, thyme, and garlic powder make the proper rub.

Variations

  • Cornish recreation hens will be filled with do-it-yourself stuffing like a vacation fowl—guarantee the middle of the stuffing reaches 165°F.
  • Different greens will be added; strive bell pepper or mushrooms.
  • You can even use a fundamental hen mix, Italian seasoning, or zesty Cajun for a twist. As an alternative of olive oil, use leftover bacon grease so as to add a smoky taste to the pores and skin.

How you can Cook dinner Cornish Hen

It would sound laborious, however this is likely one of the best fancy dinners ever!

  1. Brush hens with oil and season if desired. Tuck wings below the fowl and place on a pan. Organize greens across the cornish hens.
  2. Bake, uncovered in line with recipe instructions beneath.
  3. Take away hens from oven and let stand earlier than serving.

Recipe Suggestions

  • Thaw the hens within the fridge in a single day earlier than cooking.
  • Contemporary herbs or lemon slices will be added to the cavity earlier than cooking.
  • Cook dinner till the hens attain 165°F with a thermometer within the thickest a part of the breast.
  • Let the hens relaxation for 10 minutes earlier than serving. If wanted, the greens will be positioned again within the oven whereas the hens relaxation.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cornish hens will be stored within the fridge in a coated container for as much as 4 days and will be frozen for as much as 3 months.

Use leftovers as you’d use leftover hen – in a hen wrap, toss into soup, or add to a fast and straightforward buffalo hen dip.

What to Serve with Cornish Hen

Did you take pleasure in this Roasted Cornish Hen Recipe? Depart a remark and score beneath.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

4.99 from 445 votes↑ Click on stars to price now!
Or Depart a remark

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time 55 minutes

Relaxation Time 10 minutes

Complete Time 1 hour 25 minutes

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F.

  • If utilizing, toss the greens with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt & pepper to style. Place within the backside of a 9×13-inch baking dish or roasting pan.

  • In a small bowl, mix the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with salt, rosemary, lemon zest, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder. Brush hens with the olive oil combination. Twist wings to tuck below the fowl. Tie legs along with twine if desired.

  • Place Cornish hens on the greens and switch the dish to the preheated oven. Scale back the temperature to 400°F.

  • Bake the hens uncovered for 55 to 65 minutes or till the hens attain 165°F* with a thermometer. Make sure the thermometer doesn’t contact the bone.

  • Switch the hens to a serving plate and loosely tent with foil for 10 minutes.

  • Stir the greens into the juices on the pan. If wanted, you may place them again into the oven because the hens relaxation. If the greens are cooked to your liking, flip the oven off and place them within the oven to maintain heat.

  • Lower hens in half utilizing kitchen scissors and serve with greens.

Cornish hens can vary in dimension from 1.5 to 2.25 lbs. Cooking time can range barely primarily based on the dimensions of your hens.
Poultry ought to attain a closing temperature of 165°F within the thickest a part of the meat with the thermometer not touching the bone. I take away the hens from the oven at 160°F as they are going to proceed to cook dinner as they relaxation and can attain 165°F. 
Leftovers will maintain for 4 days within the fridge and three months within the freezer. 

Energy: 568 | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 39g | Fats: 42g | Saturated Fats: 10g | Ldl cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 669mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5338IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Vitamin data supplied is an estimate and can range primarily based on cooking strategies and types of elements used.

Course Rooster, Dinner, Entree, Important Course
Delicacies American
close up of Cornish Hen with a title
crisp and succulent Cornish Hen with writing
tender and juicy Cornish Hen with writing
Cornish Hen in a dish and close up with a title

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments