I love Cornish hens and so does my family. They bring a little joy to the dinner table and 2 Cornish hens are the perfect size for 2 adults and 2 children or 2 adults! These cook up super easily in a casserole dish in the oven and come out juicy every time. Let me show you how to make them!
The thing about Cornish hens is that the price per pound is usually more than a whole chicken, but I think cooking Cornish game hens is much easier and sometimes worth the additional cost. They are great for special occasions, busy weeknights, or just when you want to feel a little fancy.
Serving suggestions
Some amazing sides to pair with the Cornish hens are Keto Creamed Spinach, Keto Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Fried Radishes with Crispy Bacon, or my personal favorite: Loaded Cauliflower Rice Casserole. I also like a nice salad like my keto broccoli salad.
How to cook Cornish hens
I like to keep recipes as simple as possible and with minimal ingredients. For this recipe I like to use my favorite homemade chicken seasoning that gets rave reviews. It is so good! It includes smoked paprika, garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, and salt and pepper. For the ingredient amounts please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Preheat the oven and prep the hens: Before we get started, we need to pre-heat the oven to 400F and prep the hens. Some Cornish game hens come with giblets and some do not. If yours does, you need to remove them from the cavity before cooking.
After we rub them down with oil, I place the Cornish hens in a 9x13 baking dish, I combine the seasonings in a small bowl, and I season both sides. You could also cook them in a roasting pan or a baking sheet just like a roast chicken.
Now we just put them in the oven for around an hour, or until an internal meat thermometer reads 165 degrees f.
How do I make sure my Cornish hens stay juicy?
The trick to keeping any meat juicy and tender, especially chicken, is to cook it until it is the right internal temperature. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165F. We use and internal probe thermometer to test the temperature and pull the Cornish hens out of the oven right when they come to temp. You can see what meat thermometer is my favorite in the recipe carb below.
The next step to insure juicy meat is to let it rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into it.
Recipe tips and notes
I know we were all raised to rinse our poultry in the sink with water before cooking but this is actually a good way to spread bacteria. There is no need to rinse the Cornish hens or any meat before cooking.
Throw some root vegetables around the Cornish hens before roasting for the most amazing side dish!
If you want to use olive oil instead of avocado oil, I would reduce the cooking temperature to 375F
How to Cook Cornish Hens
Follow my guide to cook super delicious oven roasted Cornish Hens! Simple steps and a few seasonings is all you need for this easy cornish hen recipe!
Remove anything from the cavity of the Cornish hens. Place the Cornish hens in a casserole dish and coat with the avocado oil. Combine the seasonings in a small bowl and season all sides of each hen.
Place your Cornish Hens into already preheated oven and cook until internal temperature reaches 165F. This should take 55 minutes to an hour. Check the temperature of the hen by inserting the meat thermometer probe between the leg and breast.
Notes
Throw some root vegetables around the Cornish hens before roasting for the most amazing side dish!
If you want to use olive oil instead of avocado oil, I would reduce the cooking temperature to 375F
I oil the hens, season them, then make a basting sauce of 1/4 cup of oil, 1/4 cup of sherry, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, garlic powder and other favorite seasonings, and cook the bird uncovered, basting every 15 - 20 minutes.
Do not rinse the skin or cavity of the bird, as doing so may spread bacteria in the sink and on the countertop. Once defrosted, remove bird from packaging and pat dry with a paper towel. Remove giblet bag from cavity and reserve for making sauces, etc.
Place breast side up on rack in shallow roasting pan. 5. Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
and then there is always the "oops I forgot to thaw my cornish hen! Good news! You can actually cook a frozen hen, but it will take about 50% longer, so you'll want to plan around that. Be sure to use your thermometer to ensure you have fully cooked it.
Your leftover roasted Cornish hens will last 3-4 days in the fridge or 1-3 months in the freezer. It reheats very well in the microwave. You can also keep some of the pan drippings and reheat the chicken in a skillet with the drippings to prevent it from drying out.
Some Cornish game hens come with giblets and some do not. If yours does, you need to remove them from the cavity before cooking. After we rub them down with oil, I place the Cornish hens in a 9x13 baking dish, I combine the seasonings in a small bowl, and I season both sides.
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. You can easily cut this recipe in half or a third if you only want to make 2 or 3 hens.
Information. The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water.
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.
Adult Cornish game hens are not smaller than standard broiler chickens; the size of cooked Cornish game hens is due solely to the very young age at which they are slaughtered. The Cornish game hen is known for its tender meat, which absorbs marinades and seasonings readily.
Cooking time was based on when the Cornish hen reached an internal temperature of 165° F. Here's what we found: Gas range at 350° F: Took 75 minutes; the exterior was evenly browned, and the hen was very juicy inside. Microwave convection at 350° F: Took 60 minutes; the exterior was browned, and the inside was juicy.
Storage. A raw Cornish hen in a well-sealed package can be stored in the fridge for up to two days before cooking, or it can be frozen for up to six months.
An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.
Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.
Introduction: My name is Kelle Weber, I am a magnificent, enchanting, fair, joyous, light, determined, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
