How to Cook Cornish Game Hens

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Cornish games hens are the perfect main dish for a dinner party. Their small size means you can pack them full of flavors, such as lemon, garlic, and rosemary. The hens cook faster than a full-sized chicken and you'll be able to offer your guests their own individual hen. Try roasting the hens in the oven to get moist, tender meat or throw them on the grill to get their skin extra crispy.

Ingredients

Oven-Roasted Cornish Game Hens

  • 6 Cornish game hens
  • 1 cup (240 ml) of lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup (170 g) of unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) of paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (1.5 g) of dried thyme, divided
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons (6 g) of seasoned salt, divided
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons (3.8 g) of garlic powder, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper

Makes 6 Cornish game hens

Grilled Cornish Game Hens

  • 4 Cornish game hens
  • 1 tablespoon (18 g) of kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons (3.5 g) of finely chopped rosemary leaves
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (6 g) of lemon zest
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra-virgin olive oil

Makes 4 Cornish game hens

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making Oven-Roasted Cornish Game Hens

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  1. Lay a wire rack in the bottom of a big roasting pan and place 6 Cornish game hens on it. If you don't have a wire rack that fits the pan, bunch up a few pieces of aluminum foil and place these on the bottom of the pan. [1]
    • You can easily cut this recipe in half or a third if you only want to make 2 or 3 hens. Keep in mind that the cooking time won't change.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of lemon juice into a bowl and add 3/4 cup (170 g) of melted butter along with 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) of paprika. Then, whisk in 1 teaspoon (1 g) of the dried thyme, 1 teaspoon (5 g) of the seasoned salt, and 1 teaspoon (3 g) of the garlic powder to make a smooth sauce. [2]
    • If you'd like to use fresh herbs, loosen the skin near the hens' breasts and push about 6 fresh sage leaves the skin of each hen.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    The excess sauce will fall through the wire rack into the bottom of the pan. Set the remaining sauce that's in the bowl aside so you can baste the hens as they roast. [3]
    • If you prefer, brush the hens with half of the sauce instead of pouring it over the hens. Brushing the hens will give you more control.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    Get out a small bowl and put the remaining 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) of dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of seasoned salt, 1/4 teaspoon (0.8 g) of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of ground black pepper into it. Stir the spices until they're combined and then sprinkle them evenly over the hens. [4]
    • You can also fill the hens with your favorite bread or rice stuffing.
  5. Put the roasting pan in the preheated oven and bake the hens for 30 minutes with the lid off. Then, dip a basting brush into the reserved sauce and brush it over the hens. Cook the hens for 30 more minutes. [5]
    • The hens should become golden brown once they've finished cooking.
    • For even crispier skin, brush the hens frequently during the last 30 minutes of roasting time.

    Slow cooker variation: For a hands-off roasting method, cut the recipe down to a third and put 2 Cornish game hens into a slow cooker. Cook the hens on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for about 4 hours.

  6. Once you think the hens have finished cooking, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of a hen's thigh. The temperature should read at least 165 °F (74 °C) before you take the hens out of the oven. [6]
    • Stuffed Cornish game hens may take an extra 20 to 30 minutes to roast.
    • If you stuffed the hens, you'll also need to check the stuffing temperature to see if it's reached 165 °F (74 °C) as well.
  7. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil over the hens in the roasting pan and let them sit for 5 minutes. The juices will redistribute within the meat and the hens will finish cooking. While you wait, consider dishing up sides to serve with the hens, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or cornbread. [7]
    • Store the leftover Cornish game hens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Making Grilled Cornish Game Hens

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    To make the hens easier to handle, pat them dry using a paper towel. Then, take a pair of kitchen shears or a sharp knife and cut through each hen's breast. Flip the hens over and cut along the backbones so you can remove them. [8]
    • If you don't want to grill 4 hens, you can grill as many as you like. Keep in mind that the grilling time won't change although you may need to grill them in batches if you're making a lot.
    • Discard or save the backbones to make stock.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    Now that you've removed the backbones, turn each hen over so the breasts are facing up. Press down firmly on the breasts so the hen flattens and spreads out. Then, push a skewer horizontally through a thigh so it goes through the breasts and out through the other thigh. [9]
    • To prevent the wings from burning on the grill, you can also tuck the wing tips behind the breasts.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    Get out a small bowl and pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra-virgin olive oil into it. Then, stir in 1 tablespoon (18 g) of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons (3.5 g) of finely chopped rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon (6 g) of lemon zest , and 3 minced cloves of garlic. [10]

    Variation: For an easy barbecue seasoning, mix together:
    1 1/2 tablespoons (18 g) of brown sugar
    1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt
    1 teaspoon (2 g) of smoked paprika
    2 teaspoons (4 g) of paprika
    1 teaspoon (3 g) of garlic powder
    1/2 teaspoon (1 g) of cayenne pepper
    1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) of black pepper

  4. Use your fingers to scoop some of the seasoning mix onto each hen and gently rub it into the skin. Each hen should be completely coated with seasoning.
  5. Light a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. If you're using a gas grill, turn half of the burners to high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, fill half of a chimney with briquettes and light them. Once the briquettes are hot and lightly covered with ash, dump them onto half of the grill. [11]
    • Put the lid on the grill and let it heat up for about 5 minutes before you place the hens on the grate.
  6. Arrange the hens on the preheated grill so the breasts are facing up. Try to place them so they're directly over the burners or briquettes and put the lid on the grill. Leave the hens for 5 minutes and then lift off the lid so you can flip them over. Then, cover and cook them for another 15 to 25 minutes. [12]
    • The hens should become crispy brown and lightly charred in spots.

    Tip: If the hens are browning too quickly and you think they might burn, carefully move them to the cooler side of the grill to finish cooking.

  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Cornish Game Hens
    To test if the hens are ready to take off the grill, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh. If it reads at least 165 °F (74 °C), use tongs to transfer it to a platter. [13]
    • If you don't have an instant-read meat thermometer, cut a hen near the thigh and breast to see if the juices run clear.
  8. Once you've put all of the hens on a platter, cover them loosely with aluminum foil and leave them to rest. The hens will finish cooking and the juices will redistribute within the meat. [14]
    • Consider serving the grilled hens with steamed rice, grilled vegetables, or a garden salad.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Do you cover Cornish hens while cooking them?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If you like, you can cover the hens with foil for part of the baking process to help them cook more evenly. Remove the foil for the last 25 minutes or so of cooking to allow the skin to get crispy and golden-brown.
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  • Question
    Should you cook Cornish hens breast up or down?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Typically, you cook them with the breast up. However, some chefs advise cooking poultry with the breast down to achieve juicier, more tender breast meat.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    How do you know when Cornish hens are done?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The hens are done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads at least 165 °F (74 °C). If you baked the hens, the skin should be golden brown. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut into the thigh and check that the juices run clear.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Things You'll Need

      Oven-Roasting Cornish Game Hens

      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Wire rack
      • Large roasting pan
      • Oven mitts
      • Aluminum foil
      • Basting brush
      • Bowls
      • Instant-read meat thermometer

      Grilling Cornish Game Hens

      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Gas or charcoal grill
      • Kitchen shears or knife
      • Cutting board
      • Instant-read meat thermometer
      • Aluminum foil
      • Skewers
      • Tongs

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herbed-cornish-hens/
      2. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herb-stuffed-roasted-cornish-hens/
      3. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herbed-cornish-hens/
      4. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herbed-cornish-hens/
      5. ↑ https://housewifehowtos.com/cook/crockpot-cornish-hens-recipe/
      6. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/herbed-cornish-hens/
      7. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/grilled-cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe.html
      8. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/grilled-cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe.html
      9. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/grilled-cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe.html
      1. ↑ http://www.pbs.org/food/recipes/grilled-butterflied-cornish-hen/
      2. ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grilled-cornish-hens/
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/grilled-cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe.html
      4. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/08/grilled-cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-rosemary-recipe.html
      5. ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/grilled_cornish_game_hens/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cook a Cornish game hen, start by placing it on a wire rack in a roasting pan and seasoning it with your favorite sauce or spices. For a quick, easy seasoning, mix lemon juice, butter, paprika, thyme, salt, and garlic powder. Once you've seasoned the hen, bake it for 1 hour at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through, baste the hen by brushing some sauce over it. When it's finished, cover the pan with aluminum foil and let the hen rest for 5 minutes before serving. To learn how to cook a Cornish game hen on the grill, scroll down!

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      • Anonymous

        Nov 23, 2017

        "Wanted something different at home because we are having turkey, ham, and all the trimmings at the family dinner. ..." more
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