Roasted Cornish Hens
User Reviews
4.5
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr
-
Resting Time
20 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
-
Servings
4
-
Calories
783 kcal
-
Course
Main Course, Dinner
-
Cuisine
American
Roasted Cornish Hens
Description
This recipe uses whole Cornish hens, which are smaller chickens, rubbed with a blend of salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. The hens are placed over a bed of fresh herbs, lemon slices, onion quarters, and garlic cloves, with olive oil drizzled on top. Roasting at a high temperature of 425°F for 50 to 60 minutes creates a crisp skin and fully cooked, juicy meat.
The combination of smoked paprika and Italian herbs in the dry rub offers a balance of smoky, savory, and slightly spicy flavors, while the fresh herbs and lemon throughout roasting infuse floral and citrus notes. Resting the hens for 20 minutes after roasting allows the juices to redistribute, improving moisture and flavor. Serving the hens over mashed potatoes provides a comforting and complete meal.
Leftover roasted hens can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or frozen for 1 to 3 months. Reheating in a microwave or skillet with reserved pan drippings helps maintain moisture and flavor, preventing dryness in leftovers.
Ingredients
- 2 whole cornish hens about 1 1/2 lb each
- 2 prigs rosemary
- 4 prigs thyme
- 1 large onion cut in quarters
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon cut in slices
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
Dry Rub
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all the dry rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
- 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 roasting pan add the rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion, and half the lemon slices. Place the hens in the roasting pan over the herbs and 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. Garnish with additional thyme, lemon slices and rosemary and serve over mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Leftover Cornish hens keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers gently in the microwave or in a skillet with pan drippings for extra moisture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 783 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5hen | |
| Calories | 783kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 10g | 3% |
| Protein | 60g | 120% |
| Fat | 55g | 85% |
| Saturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Cholesterol | 344mg | 115% |
| Sodium | 796mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 960mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 966IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 85mg | 9% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
You'll Also Love
