Dad's Roasted Cornish Hens
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
1142 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Dad's Roasted Cornish Hens
Description
The preparation begins by patting dry four Cornish game hens and seasoning them generously inside and out with a preferred dry rub blend. The oven is preheated to 425 °F to ensure a hot roasting environment that crisps skin and cooks evenly. The roasting pan is arranged with quartered yellow onions, whole garlic cloves, and half the lemon wedges. The hens are stuffed with the remaining lemons, placed atop the vegetables, and drizzled with olive oil to promote browning and moisture retention.
Roasting for 50 to 60 minutes allows the hens to reach an internal temperature of 165 °F in the breast, ensuring safe and juicy meat. Removing the hens and letting them rest for 20 minutes helps juices redistribute and makes carving easier. The final dish presents tender meat infused by the roasting aromatics and spice rub, balanced with bright lemon and softened onions.
This recipe suits holiday meals or special occasions. The note suggests the hens can be halved for plating, offering portion flexibility. The combination of citrus, garlic, and spices provides a layered flavor profile that complements the light game hen meat well.
Ingredients
- 4 cornish game hen
- 3 yellow onion cut into quarters, large
- 10 cloves garlic
- 2 lemon cut into wedges, plural
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 tablespoons Gaby's Everyday or your favorite spice blend
Instructions
- Pat the hens dry with paper towels and generously season with the dry rub both inside and out.
- Preheat your oven to 425 °F.
- In a small roasting pan add the quartered onions, garlic cloves, and half the lemon wedges. Stuff the remaining lemons into the cavities and then place the hens in the roasting pan over the onions and drizzle the olive oil over the hens.
- Transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 165 °F.
- Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 20 minutes and serve.
Notes
- This recipe is ideal for holiday meals where whole Cornish hens add an elegant touch.
- For easier plating and serving, the hens can be cut in half before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1142 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1142kcal | 57% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 81g | 162% |
| Fat | 78g | 120% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14g | 82% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 38g | 190% |
| Cholesterol | 455mg | 152% |
| Sodium | 286mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 1567mg | 33% |
| Fiber | 13g | 52% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 877IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 40mg | 44% |
| Calcium | 450mg | 45% |
| Iron | 12mg | 67% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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