How to bake the best Cornish Game Hens

How to bake the best Cornish Game Hens

Experience the tantalizing combination of lemon, rosemary, garlic, and wine with this easy-to-follow recipe for Cornish hens. Whether you're aiming for a romantic dinner for two or a Thanksgiving dinner for a few, this recipe is adaptable and guaranteed to please. This lemon rosemary Cornish hen recipe makes lightly seasoned and juicy Cornish hens.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword juicy Cornish hens, lemon rosemary Cornish hen, rosemary Cornish hen, simple Cornish hen recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 568.59kcal

Author Evelyn Osborn

Equipment

Ingredients

2 Cornish Game Hens
salt
black pepper
1 lemon cut into fourths
6 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic
⅓ cup white wine
⅓ cup chicken broth

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
Rub birds with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper.
Put 2 lemon wedges and 3 sprigs rosemary in the cavity of each bird
Place in a heavy roasting pan with garlic cloves around them
Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
In a mixing bowl whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over birds
Using a Baster, baste the hens with pan juices every 10 minutes.
Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until birds are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F, and the juices run clear.
Transfer birds to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan.
Tent birds with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes.
Spoon sauce and garlic around birds. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve.

Nutrition