This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
How to cook succulent cornish hens in your oven is something all home chefs should know! A cornish hen can make a rustic comfort meal for one, or several cornish hens can be served for an easy Thanksgiving meal that replaces a large turkey. Go beyond the holidays and cook year round. Learn all the ends and outs like what temperature to cook at, how to thaw, and how to cook hens that are stuffed!
The Thanksgiving season is upon us, and Ill be whipping up all kinds of winter dishes: sausage stuffing, my famous make ahead cranberry sauce, pumpkin trifle, molasses pumpkin pie, and more. But the true centerpiece of the holiday meal for us? Cornish Game Hens!
How pretty is this table setting with the cornish hens and fresh herbs as the centerpiece? How many of you have slaved over a giant turkey only to have your kiddos thumb their noses up and insist on eating nothing else besides rolls? Been there, done that! We have a large family, but very few of the family members are fans of the big Thanksgiving bird. But for those of us who are, these cornish hens are a lifesaver.
Recipe tips and notes I know we were all raised to rinse our poultry in the sink with water before cooking but this is actually a good way to spread bacteria. There is no need to rinse the Cornish hens or any meat before cooking.
Do you cover cornish hens when baking?
I dont because they cook for such a short amount of time. BUT if you notice your hens are getting a bit too toasty on the outside but they arent to temperature yet, then yes, you should cover them. If the little wings or legs are getting too crispy you can snip some foil to just cover those areas.
How To Cook Cornish Hens:
Lets prepare our cornish hens for cooking in the oven. The number one obstacle I always come across is if Ive thought about the hens in enough time to safely thaw them. Im not the best at pre-planning, so Ive been known to have to cut corners. You will find the Tyson® Cornish hens in the freezer section of your Sams Club, therefore, they will need to properly defrost them.
The Easiest Roasted Cornish Hen | Cornish Hens in the Oven
FAQ
Do Cornish hens need to be washed?
How do you get the gamey taste out of Cornish hens?
Should Cornish hens be covered when baking?
Should Cornish hens be room temp before cooking?
How do you cook a Cornish hen?
Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the Cornish hen dry with paper towels. Step 1: Season: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, dried thyme and rosemary, paprika salt, and pepper. Rub the outside and top of the hen with olive oil or melted butter. Rub this dry mixture all over the inside and out.
What makes oven roasted Cornish hens so good?
Another thing that makes these oven roasted Cornish hens so amazing is the homemade spice mix. The Cornish hens are rubbed with a mixture of Italian herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. There is something about homemade spice mixes that makes them so much more flavorful that ready-made!
Can You Bake Cornish hens in the oven?
Baking Cornish hens in the oven is really easy. All you need to do to make perfectly roasted Cornish hens is rub them with melted butter and spices and bake in the oven for 1 hour at 400F – doesn’t get easier than that! There are many recipes for baked Cornish hens that make things much more complicated then they need to be.
How long should a Cornish hen rest before serving?
Once the Cornish hen is cooked, it is important to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful. I recommend letting the hen rest for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. When it comes to serving, there are a few options.