Cornish hens are so versatile and utterly delicious. These little birds can easily take on your favorite whole chicken recipe in a fraction of the time. Perfect for that WOW factor at a dinner party!
So this past Sunday I did a freezer cleanout and I happened to find these 2 lovelies. I had been craving roasted chicken but didn’t want to make a whole big bird.
That’s where cornish game hens come into play. they look like mini chickens well that’s because they actually are mini chickens. They can weigh between 1-2 pounds but the average is about 1.4 pounds.
The general rule is that when the internal temperature of a bird reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is fully cooked. The cooking time will vary by the size of your hens and your heat source. If using an oven, start checking at 30 minutes total cooking time.
How to cook Cornish Game Hens
Cornish game hens cook pretty much identical to how you would make a whole chicken. Now I make one killer roasted chicken (both stuffed and unstuffed) so when it came to making these I went with an herbed compound butter rub.
I’ve never seen them fresh so mine are always found in the freezer section.
I thaw them in the fridge for 1-2 days. Never thaw poultry on the counter or at room temperature.
- Thaw the game hens and clean out the gizzards (they typically are in a little bag). You can save them and make gravy or add it to a stuffing. Totally your choice.
- Pat the birds dry and make your compound butter. (See below)
- Separate the skin from the breast meat and put the compound butter in there. Smush it down and help spread it out. What’s going to happen is that when the bird roasts, that butter, and all the herbs are actually going to infuse into the meat and not only make it juicier BUT add such incredible flavor!
- Add oil, salt, and pepper and bake!
How to make Compound Butter
I wrote up an entire post here on how to make it. Check out THIS post!
- For this recipe, I just took room temperature unsalted butter and added my herbs and aromatics to it – garlic and my favorite herbs.
- Combine the ingredients into a smooth mixture. At this point, you can roll into a log and refrigerate for serving later OR use it as I did in this recipe.
The Easiest Roasted Cornish Hen | Cornish Hens in the Oven
FAQ
What temperature is Cornish hen cooked?
Should Cornish hens be covered when baking?
Should Cornish hens be room temp before cooking?
What should the internal temperature of a smoked Cornish hen be?
What temperature should Cornish hens be cooked at?
Do not over cook them. Like chicken, Cornish game hens can be consumed when their internal temperature is 165 degrees F, but remember that they will continue to cook as they rest after you take them out of the oven, so take that in consideration and pull them out a little bit earlier. Allow the hens to rest before serving.
How long do you Cook Cornish hens at 400?
Roasting Cornish game hens at 400 degrees F for about 45 to 50 minutes results in perfectly cooked hens with crispy skin. Cornish game hens should be cooked until the thickest portion reaches 165 degrees F when measured with an instant read meat thermometer. Do you cover Cornish hens when cooking?
How do you Cook Cornish hens in the oven?
Heat in a preheated 325-degree oven for about 20 minutes until warmed throughout. They may be small birds, but Cornish hens, with their tender meat and crisp skin, are a holiday favorite. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Pat the hens thoroughly dry with paper towels. Squeeze the lemon juice from the cut lemon into a medium bowl.
How do you reheat Cornish hens?
To reheat Cornish game hens, place them in a baking pan and pour in ½ cup chicken broth or white wine if you prefer. Heat in a preheated 325-degree oven for about 20 minutes until warmed throughout. They may be small birds, but Cornish hens, with their tender meat and crisp skin, are a holiday favorite.