Quick Baked Cornish Hens Recipe

I never thought Cornish hens would become my go-to dinner option until my mom served them at a family gathering last year. Growing up, we always had regular chicken – the idea of cooking these smaller birds seemed complicated and fancy.

But here’s the thing about Cornish hens – they’re actually easier to prepare than a whole chicken, and they make dinner feel special without much extra work. Even my kids, who usually stick to chicken nuggets, got excited when I told them they’d each get their own “mini chicken” for dinner. Trust me, if I can get this right, anyone can.

What Kind of Cornish Game Hens Should I Use?

Cornish game hens are actually just small chickens, typically weighing between 1 to 2 pounds each, and you’ll find them in the frozen section of most grocery stores. While fresh Cornish hens are great if you can find them, frozen ones work perfectly well for this recipe – just make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before cooking. When shopping, look for birds that are uniform in size so they’ll cook evenly, and check that the skin is intact without any tears or discoloration. For the best results, pat the hens dry with paper towels before seasoning, as this helps the skin get nice and crispy during baking.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe can be adapted with several easy substitutions if you need them:

• Cornish game hens: If you can’t find Cornish hens, you can use small chickens (about 2-3 pounds each) instead. Just remember to adjust the cooking time – you’ll need about 15-20 minutes more for regular chickens.
• Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil works here – try vegetable oil, avocado oil, or even melted butter for extra richness.
• Garlic granules: Fresh minced garlic works great (use 4-6 cloves), or you can substitute with garlic powder using half the amount.
• Dried herbs: Fresh herbs are a nice swap – use 1 tablespoon each of fresh thyme and rosemary instead of dried. You can also try sage or oregano if you’re out of thyme or rosemary.
• Poultry seasoning: No poultry seasoning? Mix together some sage, thyme, marjoram, and black pepper as a quick substitute.
• Chicken stock: Vegetable stock works just as well, or you can use water with a chicken bouillon cube dissolved in it.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Roasting

The biggest mistake when cooking Cornish hens is not patting them completely dry before seasoning – moisture on the skin prevents that gorgeous golden-brown color and crispy texture we’re after, so take an extra minute with paper towels to ensure they’re thoroughly dried. Another common error is overcooking these small birds, which can happen quickly since they’re much smaller than regular chickens – use a meat thermometer to check when the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. For the juiciest results, don’t skip the resting period of 10-15 minutes after taking them out of the oven, as this allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of running out when you cut into them. To prevent the breast meat from drying out, consider starting the hens breast-side down for the first 20 minutes of cooking, then flipping them over to finish breast-side up for that perfect crispy skin.

What to Serve With Cornish Hens?

Since Cornish hens are like mini roasted chickens, they pair perfectly with classic side dishes that can soak up those tasty pan juices. A bed of wild rice or roasted potatoes makes an excellent base, while simple roasted vegetables like carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans round out the meal nicely. For a special touch, I like to serve each hen with a small portion of cranberry sauce or herb butter on the side – it adds just the right amount of extra flavor without overshadowing the bird. If you’re making this for a dinner party, a light green salad with a lemon vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the meat.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover Cornish hens? Place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge within two hours of cooking. They’ll stay good for up to 3-4 days. I like to remove the meat from the bones before storing – it saves space and makes reheating easier!

Freeze: These little birds freeze really well! Once cooled, wrap each hen (or portions) tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep nicely for up to 4 months. Pro tip: write the date on the bag so you know when you stored them.

Reheat: To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste, place the hen in a baking dish with a splash of chicken broth, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20-25 minutes. You can also use the microwave for quick reheating – just use medium power and heat in 1-minute intervals to keep the meat juicy.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	45-60 minutes
Total Time	55-75 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 10-15 g

Ingredients

• 4 cornish game hens
• 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons garlic granules
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons seasoning for poultry
• Salt and pepper for flavor
• 1-2 cups chicken stock or water

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Season the Hens

Begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, place your Cornish hens on a clean surface.

Drizzle olive oil over each hen and generously sprinkle your chosen spices throughout.

Rub the spices onto both sides of the hens, ensuring they are fully coated.

Add additional spices if necessary to cover all areas evenly.

Step 2: Arrange in Roasting Pan

Place the seasoned Cornish hens into a roasting pan or a baking dish.

Arrange them in a way that allows them to cook evenly and fit comfortably within the pan or dish.

Step 3: Add Moisture

Pour chicken broth or water into the roasting pan, being careful to pour it around the hens.

This added moisture helps keep the hens tender and juicy during baking.

Ensure not to disturb the spice coating on the skin when pouring.

Step 4: Bake the Hens

Bake the Cornish hens in the preheated oven for about 45 to 60 minutes.

The exact time will depend on your oven and the size of the hens.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure they are fully cooked.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once cooked, carefully remove the hens from the oven.

Allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving.

This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and succulent dish.

Serve your Cornish hens hot and enjoy!