Perfect Oven Roasted Baked Cornish Hens Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should you cover Cornish hens when baking? ›

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.

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.

Roasting Cornish hens on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet also helps elevate the birds so that the thighs cook as quickly as the breasts. Cornish hens are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and their juices run clear.

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.

To prevent loss of moisture, let chicken rest for 5 to 8 minutes before carving. To maintain a crispy, crunchy skin, do not tent bird with foil after removal from oven.

Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear.

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.

One whole hen weighs 1 to 11/4 pounds. There is a small amount of meat to bone with Cornish hens, so plan on one per person for a generous serving. If you'd like to split them in half for two servings, the easiest way is to turn them over so they are breast side down.

"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan.

Make your own roasting rack using cylinders of aluminum foil. To do this, simply roll three to five pieces of aluminum foil into sturdy, tight cylinders. Lay them across the base of the pan, mimicking the layout of a traditional rack. That's it!

What can you use instead of roasting pans? ›

Their flavor is often described as rich and moist with a hint of sweetness. Because they're harvested so young, Cornish hens' meat is exceptionally tender. Their high skin-to-meat ratio makes them remarkably succulent too. Cornish hens are as versatile as conventional chickens, but cook faster and feel more special.

Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect as a serving for one person or split in half when served with some delicious sides. I love pairing this easy roasted Cornish hen recipe with my Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables; or Brussels sprouts... Lots more ideas below!

Cornish Hens Tastier And More Tender

That quality, however, may be a reflection of the age of the mass-market Cornish hens. The USDA currently defines Rock Cornish and Cornish game hens as "an immature chicken younger than five weeks old ... of either sex, with a ready-to-cook carcass weight of two pounds or less."

Roast in a 425 degrees F heated oven for 1 hour (or until the hens are cooked through and juices run clean), basting every 15 minutes with the broth. If you have a cooking thermometer, cooked Cornish hens will have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Allow the Cornish game hens to rest before serving.

Trussing Cornish hens, or any poultry, is never required. But, doing so ensures your bird cooks evenly without drying out.

Because they are so small (usually about 20 ounces) it is quite simple. Place one or two hens on a microwave safe rack set in a baking dish (About 8X12 inches in size). Cover with a piece of wax paper and cook on high about 14 minutes or until the juices run clear rotating the dish once during the cooking.