Roasting Cornish Hens: A Simple Guide

Roasting Cornish hens on a roasting pan is a simple and elegant way to prepare a delicious meal. Cornish hens are a smaller breed of chicken, typically weighing between one and two pounds, and are perfect for individual servings. Roasting is a great way to cook these birds, as it results in tender meat and crispy skin. The key to a perfect roast is in the seasoning and preparation.

How to prepare your Cornish hens for roasting

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to prepare your Cornish hens for roasting:

• Cornish hens (one or two per person)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Spices (e.g. paprika, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes)

Preparing the Hens

Pat the hens dry with paper towels. Combine all your dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and season the hens generously with the rub, both inside and out. You can also brush or rub the hens with olive oil before applying the seasoning.

Preparing the Roasting Pan

Preheat your oven to around 425°F. Add fresh herbs, garlic, onion, and half of your lemon slices to the roasting pan. Place the hens in the pan over the bed of ingredients. Drizzle olive oil all over the hens.

Roasting the Hens

Roast the hens uncovered for 50-60 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 165°F. For an even crispier skin, place the hens under the broiler until the skin turns golden brown.

Resting and Serving

Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 15-20 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with lemon slices and your choice of sides.

The best temperature to roast your hens

The best temperature to roast Cornish hens is between 350 and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cornish hens are a variety of broiler chicken, which are chickens raised specifically for meat production. They are typically between one and two pounds, and their small size gives them a unique flavour and texture that sets them apart from regular chicken.

When roasting Cornish hens, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast or thigh. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the hens, but it usually takes around 50 to 60 minutes for the hens to reach the desired internal temperature.

One recipe suggests preheating the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and then reducing the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit after the first 25 minutes of roasting. This higher initial temperature can help to crisp up the skin.

Another recipe recommends preheating the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and roasting the hens for 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the number of hens being roasted and the size of the roasting pan. It is crucial to ensure that the hens are not crowded in the pan, as this can affect the cooking time and prevent the skin from crisping up properly.

How long to roast your hens for

The Cornish game hen is a variety of broiler chicken, which are chickens raised specifically for meat production. They are usually served young and weigh between one and two pounds. Their small size gives the hens a unique flavour and texture that's different from regular chicken.

When roasting your hens, the cooking time will depend on the size of your hens and whether you are cooking them whole or halved. If you are cooking them whole, the cooking time will be longer, around 40-60 minutes in an oven preheated to between 350-425 degrees F. If you are halving your hens, the cooking time will be reduced to around 30 minutes.

It is important to ensure that your hens are fully cooked but not overcooked. The best way to check this is to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast or thigh reaches 165 degrees F. You can also check that the skin is golden brown and the juices run clear.

Once your hens are cooked, it is important to let them rest for around 10-20 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute and result in juicier meat.

Tips for Perfectly Roasted Hens

• For a crispier skin, brush the hens with oil or bacon grease before roasting.
• If you want extra crispy skin, place the hens under the broiler until the skin turns golden brown.
• To ensure even cooking, place the hens on a roasting rack in the pan with at least 2 inches of space around each bird for air circulation.
• If you are stuffing your hens, the baking time will increase to 50-60 minutes, and you should also check the temperature of the stuffing to ensure it reaches 165 degrees F.
• If you are grilling your hens, it is best to spatchcock or halve them first. This will ensure even cooking and juicy results.
• When grilling, set up your grill for medium-heat cooking with a cool area for indirect heat. Place the birds skin-side down and cook until well-marked, then flip and transfer to the cooler side to finish cooking.

How to make a sauce to accompany your hens

Now that you know how to roast your Cornish hens, it's time to make a sauce to accompany them. Here are some ideas:

Herb Garlic Butter Sauce

This sauce uses a double-baste technique that starts with herb-laced olive oil and finishes with a zesty butter sauce. The ingredients include extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon zest, fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, and flat parsley), coarse kosher salt, black pepper, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, hot sauce, and charred lemons.

Tart Cherry Sauce

For a fruity twist, try making a tart cherry sauce to drizzle over your hens. Simply mix together drained tart cherries, red wine, orange juice, brown sugar, and butter. Thicken the sauce with a little flour, and you're ready to serve.

Pan Juices Sauce

Making a sauce from the pan juices is a simple and delicious option. After removing the roasted hens from the pan, place the pan on the stovetop. Add some chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture reduce until thickened, and then drizzle over your hens.

Wine and Butter Sauce

For a decadent touch, try a wine and butter sauce. After removing the hens from the oven, pour a mixture of white wine, chicken broth, and olive oil over them. Return the hens to the oven and baste with the juices. Finally, transfer the hens to a platter and make a sauce by boiling the pan juices in a saucepan.

Lemon and Herb Sauce

For a bright and fresh sauce, combine the juices of roasted Cornish hens with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve alongside your hens.

There you have it! A variety of sauce options to accompany your roasted Cornish hens.

What to serve with your hens

There are many side dishes that can accompany a Cornish hen main course. Here are some ideas:

Starchy Sides

• Mashed potatoes
• Wild rice pilaf
• Brown rice
• Baby potatoes
• Blooming onion
• Bread rolls
• French bread
• Polenta

Vegetables

• Roasted root vegetables
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Grilled vegetable medley
• Buttery garlic green beans
• Roasted carrots
• Honey-glazed carrots
• Brussels sprouts
• Avocado cucumber salad
• Creamy cucumber salad
• Garlic herb roasted carrots
• Parmesan roasted broccoli
• Garlic parmesan roasted Brussels sprouts
• Thyme skillet potatoes
• Rosemary smashed potatoes
• Warm quinoa salad

Salads

• Kale and quinoa salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Mediterranean couscous salad
• Mexican street corn salad

Drinks

Chianti wine

Frequently asked questions