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Herb Roasted Cornish Hens

These gorgeous cornish hens, soaked in a fall scented brine, slathered in savory herbs and butter then stuffed with apples and garlic, are full of flavor and beautiful additions to your holiday table.

Servings: 1 whole chicken
Calories: 351 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 Cornish hens thawed if frozen
  • The Spice Hunter Original Turkey Brine
  • 2 tsp The Spice Hunter Poultry seasoning
  • 1 medium apple quartered
  • 2 garlic heads cut horizontally
Clarified Butter
  • 2 sticks 16 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp each of:
  • The Spice Hunter Rosemary
  • The Spice Hunter Thyme
  • The Spice Hunter Oregano
  • 1 tsp The Spice Hunter Dalmatian Rubbed Sage
  • 1 tbsp The Spice Hunter Poultry seasoning
Herb Butter Mix for Under Skin
  • 2 sticks 16 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tsp each of:
  • The Spice Hunter Thyme
  • The Spice Hunter Oregano
  • The Spice Hunter Dalmatian Rubbed Sage
  • The Spice Hunter Poultry seasoning

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Brine
  2. Create brine by following directions on the bag and letting the mixture cool before adding in your Cornish hens. The Spice Hunter has a bag that comes with the brine but brining in large bowls is an option. Brine for no more than 4 hours.
  3. Creating Butter Mixes
  4. While the hens are brining, create the clarified butter by melting the two sticks (16 tbsp) of unsalted butter over medium-low heat with all the herbs in a medium-sized saucepan. It will begin steaming (releasing the water) and foam will come to the top after about 4 minutes.
  5. Skim the solids off of the top and continue to let the butter cook until the butter is no longer bubbling and steaming. Pour the butter and herbs into a heat-safe container and leave at room temperature.
  6. For the butter mix that will be going under the skin of your Cornish hens, use a fork to mix the butter and herbs in a medium-sized bowl and keep them at room temperature until needed.
  7. Chilling in Fridge
  8. Take the hens out of the brine and rinse them well under cool water, then pat them as dry as possible. Place them on a wire rack on a baking sheet and season the cavities with ½ tsp kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper and ½ tsp poultry seasoning per bird. Let the hens rest uncovered in your fridge for at least 1 hour to overnight to dry out the skin.
  9. Roasting Cornish Hens
  10. After you have chilled the hens to dry out the skin, take them out of the fridge to come to room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to one hour. Yes, this is completely safe. 
  11. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  12. Stuff the birds with one apple quarter and half a head of garlic. 
  13. Gently lift the skin from the breast meat using your fingers to create pockets where you can gently press the room temperature herb butter over the breast meat under the skin.
  14. Truss the legs with butcher’s twine and tuck the wings so they do not burn. Place the birds on a wire rack in a baking dish or leave on the wire rack on the baking sheet.
  15. With a pastry brush, generously brush half of the clarified butter over the birds, not missing any parts exposed before placing in the oven for 25 minutes.
  16. After 25 minutes, brush the other half of the clarified butter onto the cornish hens, turn the pan 180 degrees in the oven for even cooking, and lower the temperature to 375 degrees F. Roast for another 35 minutes, or until the breast meat is 160 degrees F by a meat thermometer.
  17. Let rest for at least 10 minutes before serving

Notes

  • Find all The Spice Hunter ingredients used here:
  • The Spice Hunter Oregano
  • The Spice Hunter Thyme
  • The Spice Hunter Poultry Seasoning
  • The Spice Hunter Rubbed Dalmatian Sage
  • The Spice Hunter Original Turkey Brine
  • The Spice Hunter Rosemary

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 351kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 14g Cholesterol 159mg (53%) Sodium 116mg (5%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1whole chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 351

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 351kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14g 82%
Cholesterol 159mg 53%
Sodium 116mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%

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