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Garlic Herb Roasted Cornish Hen

A festive and elegant dish featuring juicy Cornish hens infused with garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Cornish Hens
  • 4 Cornish hens 1 per person
Herb Butter Mixture
  • 5 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 sprigs fresh rosemary Freshly chopped
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme Freshly chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped) For garnish
  • to taste salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a bowl, mix together the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the herb butter.
  3. Pat the Cornish hens dry using paper towels.
  4. Gently loosen the skin of the hens with your fingers and spread the herb butter mixture under the skin and over the top.
  5. Drizzle olive oil over the hens and season the outside with additional salt and pepper.
  6. Arrange the hens in a roasting pan, breast side up, and sprinkle any remaining herbs on top or around them.
Cooking
  1. Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and roast for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
  2. Once cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the hens in the herb butter for a few hours or overnight. Ensure the oven is fully preheated for proper roasting.