Easy and Delicious Cornish Hen Recipes: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cornish hens are a delightful alternative to chicken, offering a more elegant presentation and a subtly different flavor profile. Often served for special occasions, they are surprisingly easy to prepare at home. This guide provides a variety of simple yet impressive Cornish hen recipes, complete with detailed steps and instructions to ensure a perfect result every time.
Why Choose Cornish Hens?
* **Portion Control:** Cornish hens are naturally portioned, making them ideal for individual servings.
* **Flavor:** They offer a slightly richer, more gamey flavor compared to chicken.
* **Presentation:** Their small size makes them visually appealing and perfect for special occasions.
* **Versatility:** They can be roasted, grilled, pan-fried, or even stuffed.
* **Faster Cooking Time:** Cornish hens typically cook faster than whole chickens, saving you time in the kitchen.
Essential Tips for Cooking Cornish Hens
Before diving into the recipes, here are some essential tips to ensure your Cornish hens are cooked to perfection:
* **Thawing:** Always thaw Cornish hens completely before cooking. The safest way to thaw them is in the refrigerator, which can take 24-48 hours. You can also thaw them in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes, but this method requires more attention. Never thaw at room temperature.
* **Patting Dry:** Pat the hens dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the skin crisp up during cooking.
* **Seasoning:** Don’t be afraid to season generously! Cornish hens benefit from bold flavors.
* **Internal Temperature:** Use a meat thermometer to ensure the hens are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
* **Resting:** Allow the cooked hens to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.
Recipe 1: Simple Roasted Cornish Hens with Herbs
This is a classic and foolproof recipe that highlights the natural flavor of Cornish hens. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 Cornish hens (about 1-1.25 pounds each), thawed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 1 lemon, quartered (optional)
* Fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare the Hens:** Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging. Remove any giblets or neck pieces that may be inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
3. **Season the Hens:** In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. **Rub with Seasoning:** Rub the herb mixture all over the hens, both inside and out. Make sure to get under the skin of the breast for extra flavor.
5. **Optional: Stuff with Lemon:** If desired, place a quarter of lemon inside the cavity of each hen. This will add a subtle citrus aroma and flavor.
6. **Roast the Hens:** Place the hens in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are not overcrowded. If using a roasting pan, you can add a cup of chicken broth to the bottom to keep the hens moist (optional).
7. **Roasting Time:** Roast for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Basting the hens with pan juices every 15-20 minutes will help keep them moist and develop a golden-brown skin. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the hens loosely with foil.
8. **Rest:** Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender bird.
9. **Garnish and Serve:** Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve the roasted Cornish hens with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice.
Recipe 2: Honey-Garlic Glazed Cornish Hens
This recipe adds a touch of sweetness and a savory garlic flavor to the Cornish hens, creating a delicious and crowd-pleasing dish.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 Cornish hens (about 1-1.25 pounds each), thawed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. **Prepare the Hens:** Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging. Remove any giblets or neck pieces that may be inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
3. **Make the Glaze:** In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper.
4. **Rub with Glaze:** Brush the honey-garlic glaze all over the hens, both inside and out. Make sure to get under the skin of the breast for extra flavor.
5. **Roast the Hens:** Place the hens in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are not overcrowded. If using a roasting pan, you can add a cup of chicken broth to the bottom to keep the hens moist (optional).
6. **Roasting Time:** Roast for 45-55 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Baste the hens with the remaining glaze every 15-20 minutes to create a sticky and flavorful coating. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the hens loosely with foil.
7. **Rest:** Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
8. **Garnish and Serve:** Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired. Serve the honey-garlic glazed Cornish hens with rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables.
Recipe 3: Stuffed Cornish Hens with Wild Rice and Cranberries
For a more festive and impressive dish, try stuffing your Cornish hens with a flavorful wild rice and cranberry mixture.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 Cornish hens (about 1-1.25 pounds each), thawed
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1/2 cup wild rice, cooked according to package directions
* 1/4 cup dried cranberries
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
* 1/4 cup chopped celery
* 1/4 cup chopped onion
* 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 2 tablespoons butter, melted
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Prepare the Hens:** Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging. Remove any giblets or neck pieces that may be inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
3. **Make the Stuffing:** In a large bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, dried cranberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, chopped celery, chopped onion, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and combine. Adjust seasoning to taste.
4. **Stuff the Hens:** Gently loosen the skin of the breast meat from the hens to create a pocket. Stuff the pocket with the wild rice mixture, and then stuff the cavity of each hen with the remaining stuffing. Do not overstuff.
5. **Brush with Butter:** Brush the hens with melted butter.
6. **Roast the Hens:** Place the hens in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the bottom of the pan (optional).
7. **Roasting Time:** Roast for 55-65 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh and the stuffing is heated through. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, tent the hens loosely with foil.
8. **Rest:** Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
9. **Serve:** Serve the stuffed Cornish hens whole or carved, with any remaining stuffing on the side.
Recipe 4: Grilled Cornish Hens with Lemon and Herbs
This recipe is perfect for warmer weather and adds a smoky flavor to the Cornish hens. You can use a gas or charcoal grill.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 Cornish hens (about 1-1.25 pounds each), thawed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 lemon, zested and juiced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Hens:** Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging. Remove any giblets or neck pieces that may be inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
2. **Make the Marinade:** In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. **Marinate the Hens:** Place the hens in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the hens, making sure they are well coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
4. **Prepare the Grill:** Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C).
5. **Grill the Hens:** Remove the hens from the marinade and discard the marinade. Place the hens on the grill, breast side up. Grill for 20-25 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh. Turn the hens occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent burning. If the hens start to brown too quickly, move them to a cooler part of the grill.
6. **Rest:** Remove the hens from the grill and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
7. **Serve:** Serve the grilled Cornish hens with grilled vegetables, salad, or your favorite sides.
Recipe 5: Pan-Seared Cornish Hens with Mushroom Sauce
For a quick and elegant meal, try pan-searing Cornish hens and serving them with a creamy mushroom sauce.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 Cornish hens (about 1-1.25 pounds each), thawed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
**For the Mushroom Sauce:**
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
* 1/4 cup chopped shallots
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 1/2 cup heavy cream
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Hens:** Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging. Remove any giblets or neck pieces that may be inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
2. **Sear the Hens:** Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Cornish hens, breast side down, and sear for 5-7 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the hens and sear for another 5-7 minutes on the other side.
3. **Finish in the Oven:** Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
4. **Rest:** Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
5. **Make the Mushroom Sauce:** While the hens are resting, prepare the mushroom sauce. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until softened and browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the chopped shallots and minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Pour in the white wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is reduced by half. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. **Serve:** Carve the pan-seared Cornish hens and serve them with the creamy mushroom sauce.
Tips for Serving and Carving Cornish Hens
* **Carving:** To carve a Cornish hen, start by removing the legs and thighs. Then, slice the breast meat away from the bone. You can serve the hens whole or carve them for individual servings.
* **Side Dishes:** Cornish hens pair well with a variety of side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, salads, and cranberry sauce.
* **Wine Pairing:** For roasted Cornish hens, consider a Pinot Noir or a Chardonnay. For grilled Cornish hens, a lighter-bodied red wine like Beaujolais or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc would be a good choice.
* **Garnishing:** Garnish your Cornish hens with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, or a sprinkle of paprika for added visual appeal.
Variations and Additions
* **Citrus Herb Butter:** Rub the Cornish hens with a citrus herb butter made with softened butter, lemon zest, orange zest, chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and sage), and garlic. This adds a bright and flavorful element to the dish.
* **Spiced Rub:** Create a spiced rub with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar. This adds a warm and smoky flavor to the hens.
* **Maple Glaze:** Brush the hens with a maple glaze made with maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of cayenne pepper for a sweet and tangy flavor.
* **Bacon-Wrapped:** Wrap the Cornish hens in bacon before roasting or grilling for a crispy and smoky flavor.
* **Vegetable Bed:** Roast the Cornish hens on a bed of chopped vegetables such as carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. This adds flavor to the vegetables and helps to keep the hens moist.
* **Marinade:** Use a simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs to infuse the hens with flavor before cooking.
Conclusion
Cornish hens are a versatile and delicious option for a variety of meals. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight dinner or an elegant dish for a special occasion, these recipes offer something for everyone. With a little preparation and these helpful tips, you can easily create perfectly cooked and flavorful Cornish hens that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and variations to find your favorite Cornish hen recipe!