Cornish Hen ((The Best Recipe!)
User Reviews
4.5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr
-
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
-
Servings
2 People
-
Calories
557 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
American
Cornish Hen ((The Best Recipe!)
Description
The Cornish hen is prepared whole by first placing peeled garlic cloves inside its cavity, which infuses the meat with aromatic garlic during roasting. The skin is coated with a mixture of olive oil or unsalted butter, honey, sambal oelek chili paste, and salt, creating a sticky glaze that caramelizes as the bird roasts at 375°F (190°C).
Roasting is done in two stages: first side for 30 minutes allowing the skin to crisp and brown, then flipped for another 30 minutes while optionally basting with the juices to enhance flavor and moisture. Teethpicks are used to close the cavity after filling it with garlic cloves. The finished Cornish hen has a crispy skin with a subtle sweet heat from the sambal and honey mixture, balanced by the savory notes of garlic and salt.
Serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the meat for added brightness. The relatively quick roasting time suits a single hen and maintains juiciness and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cornish hen
- 4 cloves garlic peeled
- 3 Toothpicks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 tablespoon sambal oelek
- 1 teaspoon salt
- lemon for serving, wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Rinse and pat dry the Cornish hen with paper towels, making sure the cavity is dry. Place the garlic inside the cavity and close it with 3 toothpicks.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil (or butter), honey, sambal oelek, and salt. Stir to mix well. Brush the mixture evenly over the skin.
- Place the Cornish hen on a roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes, or until the skin becomes crispy and nicely browned. You can cover it with a sheet of aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Turn the hen over and bake the other side for another 30 minutes. You can brush the juices that seep out onto the skin. Remove from the oven and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Add 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder to the marinade for a deeper color if desired.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2People
Amount Per Serving
Calories 557 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2people | |
| Calories | 557kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 12g | 4% |
| Protein | 39g | 78% |
| Fat | 39g | 60% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 227mg | 76% |
| Sodium | 1302mg | 54% |
| Potassium | 576mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 252IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
You'll Also Love
