Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 87 votes

Cornish Game Hen with Whiskey and Cream Sauce

Cornish game hen with whiskey and cream sauce. Is the perfect last-minute get-together dinner meal. Easy to prepare, and half of a hen is the perfect balance between white and dark meat.  I always have two in my freezer

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4
Calories: 706 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cornish hen
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 shallots finely sliced
  • ⅓ cup whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Herbs de Province a big pinch

Instructions

FOR THE CORNISH GAME HEN
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven at 450º and position the rack in the middle of the oven.
  2. Place a hen, breast side down on a cutting board. Remove the backbone by cutting along both sides with shears or a large sharp knife.
  3. Flip the hen and flatten it by pressing down on the breastbone with your palm. Split the hen in two along the breastbone. Repeat with the remaining hen.
  4. Place on a heavy roasting pan and spread on each half, ¼ of a teaspoon of butter, Herbs de Provence, salt and pepper, and a drop of olive oil. Place in the hot oven and cook for 30 to 45 minutes. Poke the hen while cooking to release any juices.
  5. When done, remove from the oven, place the hen in a dish and cover with aluminum foil and let rest.
FOR THE WHISKEY AND CREAM SAUCE
  1. Place the unwashed cooking pan over the stove and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt. Lower the heat and add the whiskey, very slowly. With a wooden spoon scrape up any bit on the pan.
  2. Add the shallots and cook until tender, 1 minute. Add the Worcestershire sauce, mustard and raise the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil stirring constantly
  3. Add the heavy cream and the lemon juice. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Serve hot over the Cornish hen.

Notes

  • TIPS on Cooking with alcohol
  • The whiskey evaporates as it cooks, leaving a wonderful bold flavor in the cream and butter. Cognac can be used instead of whiskey. As well as bourbon.
  • Be extremely careful when placing alcohol in a skillet. I always remove the skillet from the heat source and turn it off.
  • Placing the alcohol in the middle of the pan is also a safe way of doing it.
  • Keep your eyes on the skillet, of course, pouring away from you, and keep all loose clothing away from the heat source too.
  • When returning to the stove, start with a low flame and increase. Gently swirl it around and add the cream.
  • Serve the cooked cornish with the lemon slices and top with the sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 706kcal (35%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 54g (83%) Saturated Fat 22g (110%) Cholesterol 298mg (99%) Sodium 207mg (9%) Potassium 565mg (16%) Vitamin A 1030IU (21%) Vitamin C 2.1mg (2%) Calcium 44mg (4%) Iron 1.9mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 706

% Daily Value*

Calories 706kcal 35%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 54g 83%
Saturated Fat 22g 110%
Cholesterol 298mg 99%
Sodium 207mg 9%
Potassium 565mg 12%
Vitamin A 1030IU 21%
Vitamin C 2.1mg 2%
Calcium 44mg 4%
Iron 1.9mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Report Abuse
Login to Continue
Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Register