Roasted Cornish Hen

User Reviews

5.0

108 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    10 mins

  • Cook Time

    1 hr

  • Total Time

    1 hr 10 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    392 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    American

Roasted Cornish Hen

This roasted Cornish hen recipe is an easy and elegant way to make a meal that's quick enough for a busy weeknight, yet fancy enough for a special occasion. The hens are coated in butter, garlic and herbs, then cooked in the oven for perfectly tender and juicy results every time.

I Made This!

81 people made this

Save this

64 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 Cornish hens 1.5 - 2 pounds each
  • 2 sprigs fresh Rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/2 small onion cut into wedges
  • 1/2 lemon cut into wedges
  • 6 tablespoons butter softened
  • 2 teaspoons garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves minced
  • 2 teaspoons fresh parsley leaves minced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • cooking spray
  • herb sprigs and lemon wedges for garnish optional
Add to Shopping List

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Tuck the wings underneath the breast of each hen. Stuff each hen cavity with the rosemary and thyme sprigs, onion and lemon.
  3. Tie the legs of the hens together with kitchen twine.
  4. Place the butter, garlic, minced thyme, rosemary and parsley, and salt and pepper to taste in a bowl. Stir to combine.
  5. Rub the butter mixture all over the hens, both on the outside of the hens and underneath the skin.
  6. Place the hens in the prepared dish.
  7. Bake for approximately 50-60 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F. The cook time may vary a bit depending on the size of your birds.
  8. If the skin is getting overly dark as the hens cook, them with foil.
  9. Let the hens rest for 5 minutes. Remove the lemon, onion and herbs from the hen cavities. Cut in half, then serve with pan drippings. Garnish with lemon and herbs if desired.

Notes

  • The best way to gauge when your Cornish hens are done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the bird without touching any bone. The temperature should read at least 165 degrees F when the birds are done.
  • I typically serve half a bird per person. If your birds are on the smaller side, it’s fine to serve a whole one.
  • Work quickly when you spread the butter over the hens. The butter can solidify when it touches the cold bird, which makes it harder to spread.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 392kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 34g (68%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Cholesterol 166mg (55%) Sodium 428mg (18%) Potassium 394mg (11%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 705IU (14%) Vitamin C 16.3mg (18%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 392 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 392kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 34g 68%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 166mg 55%
Sodium 428mg 18%
Potassium 394mg 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 705IU 14%
Vitamin C 16.3mg 18%
Calcium 35mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

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

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0

108 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Roasted Cornish Game Hen

French, American, British
4.9 (360 reviews)

Cornish Hen ((The Best Recipe!)

American
4.5 (165 reviews)

Cornish Hen

American
5.0 (1,335 reviews)

Cornish Hen Recipe

American
5.0 (3 reviews)

Cornish Hen in Air Fryer Recipe

American
4.9 (42 reviews)

Cornish Game Hen Recipe + VIDEO

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

Easy Instant Pot Cornish Hen

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

Air Fryer Cornish Hen

American
5.0 (21 reviews)

Air Fryer Cornish Hen

American
5.0 (108 reviews)

Lemon Herb Spatchcock Cornish Hen

American
4.3 (75 reviews)

How to Truss a Cornish Hen

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

Cornish Hen Recipe

American
5.0 (78 reviews)

Spatchcock Cornish Hen Recipe

American
5.0 (6 reviews)

Smoked Cornish Hen Recipe

American
0.0 (0 reviews)

Seared Hen of the Woods Steak

French, American
5.0 (27 reviews)