Go Back

Cornish Hens Recipe

Elevate your meal with these tender and juicy Cornish hens infused with herbed butter, perfect for special occasions or cozy dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cornish Hens
  • 6 Rock Cornish Hens, thawed (~1.4 lb each) Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before cooking.
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature Ensure butter is softened for easy mixing.
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging, making sure to take out any gizzards. Pat the hens dry, inside and out, using paper towels.
  2. Set a cooling rack on a baking pan, and place the hens on the rack breast-side up.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Mix until it forms a soft, spreadable herbed butter.
  4. Carefully separate the skin from the breast of each bird and spread about two tablespoons of the herb butter between the skin and the meat.
  5. Rub olive oil all over the hens, coating them nicely, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cooking
  1. Roast in the preheated oven at 450°F for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and continue roasting for about 40 more minutes until the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C).
  2. Baste the hens with pan juices every 25-30 minutes to keep them juicy and flavorful.
  3. Once done, let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For serving, consider plating each hen with sides like roasted vegetables or garlic mashed potatoes. Drizzle pan juices over the hens for extra flavor and garnish with fresh herbs.