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November 4, 2021Updated: November 29, 2022

Roasted Cornish Game Hens

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Roasted Cornish hens are easy to prepare and great for special occasion dinners. They’re seasoned with pantry spices and fresh herbs and roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and crispy.

one roasted cornishe hen on a dish.

Please join me as we venture back to the ’80s and treat ourselves to something considered, at the time, the height of sophistication: roasted cornish game hens. I’m not sure why they fell from their high-society perch because they’re delicious, and does deliciousness ever go out of style? I think not.

So, fire up some Peter Cetera on the stereo and light some candles because we’re traveling back in time and treating ourselves to a retro main course that’s perfect for a modern-day at-home cozy dinner.

What are Cornish Game Hens?

So, the secret is that they’re just little chickens with a fancy name, like many other little posers during that decadent decade. But they do deliver in the flavor department: once cooked, they’re juicy and delicious. They don’t need much – a little seasoning and olive oil turn the skin golden and crispy, and a few aromatics in the cavity add flavor to the meat.

And the appeal is in the size – one hen is a generous serving for one person and, sitting on the plate all roasted and delicious, they make for a pretty presentation. Although, in my experience, with some side dishes, two people can easily share one bird.

There are so many reasons to give this easy recipe a try. Maybe you love the ’80s, or perhaps you’re looking for something fancy-ish to make for a special occasion like an ’80s-themed dinner party, small Thanksgiving dinner, romantic Valentine’s day fête, or Christmas mini feast. Or maybe you’re just cornish game hen curious. No matter the reason, they are ready for a comeback, and you can make it happen.

ingredients for the recipe.

Ingredients

  • Cornish game hens – You should be able to find them at most grocery stores. They’re usually frozen, so plan to thaw them for at least 24 hours or so before you roast them.
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried thyme
  • Onion powder
  • Paprika
  • Black pepper
  • Carrot cut into 1” pieces
  • Celery cut into 1” pieces
  • Smashed and peeled garlic cloves
  • Sprigs of fresh rosemary 

How to Roast Them

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Pat the hens dry with paper towels and place them in a baking dish or roasting pan that’s big enough to hold both of them so they aren’t touching.

In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.

Rub the oil mixture all over the hens and then fill the cavity of each hen with the veggies, garlic, and rosemary.

overhead photo of the hens on a pan coated with spices.

Tie the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the bird— this will prevent them from burning in the oven.

Roast the hens for 50 to 55 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part. The skin should be golden brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and tent it with aluminum foil. Rest the hens for 10 minutes. You can carve them for serving or serve them whole.

roasted hens on a baking sheet.

Recipe Tips

Cooking Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer so you don’t have to guess if they’re done. It’s always a good idea to check them early because, depending on your oven, the cook time may vary.

Swaps: Any fresh herb will work like fresh thyme or parsley. You could also stick some orange or lemon wedges in the cavities to add a citrus flavor.

Garnish: Sprinkle some sea salt and chopped fresh parsley over the top for serving.

Side Dish Ideas

If you add some sides, this roasted cornish hens recipe will easily serve four people. You can carve them and serve the sliced meat or slice the hens in half and serve them that way. Here are some sides you might like to try:

  • Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
  • Lemon Honey Carrots
  • Roasted Sweet Potatoes
  • Sauteed Green Beans
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
cooked hens on a serving patter with rosemary.

I hope you give this Cornish game hen recipe a try this fall and winter! They may be retro but they sure are delicious. Enjoy!

Happy Roasting,

April

More Main Dish Recipes

  • Sheet Pan Pineapple Ham
  • French Onion Chicken Meatballs
  • Roasted Pork Chops
  • Roast Chicken – recipe from the Kitchn

📣 Do you love this recipe? I would love to know! Leave a comment below the recipe along with your recipe star rating.

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Roasted Cornish Game Hens

roasted cornish game hen in a pan.
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★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

Roasted Cornish hens are easy to prepare and great for special occasion dinners. They’re seasoned with pantry spices and fresh herbs and roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and crispy. One hen is a generous serving for one person so, if you have sides, two people can easily share one.

  • Author: April Anderson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Roast
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cornish hens (about 1 1/2 to 2 pounds each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 carrot, cut into 1” pieces
  • 1 stalk celery, cut into 1” pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary 

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the hens dry with paper towels and place them in a baking dish that’s big enough to hold both of them so they aren’t touching.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, dried thyme, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper.
  3. Rub the oil mixture all over the hens and fill the cavity of each with the carrots, celery, garlic, and rosemary.
  4. Tie the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the bird— this will prevent them from burning in the oven.
  5. Roast the hens for 50 to 55 minutes or until an instant read thermometer registers 165°F in the thickest part.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and cover it with aluminum foil. Rest the hens for 10 minutes. You can carve them for serving or serve them whole. If you are serving four, you can also slice them in half for serving,

 

Notes

If your hens are frozen, thaw them at least 24 hours in advance before roasting them. You can keep them in the packages and thaw them in a baking dish in the refrigerator.

The size of hens can vary so the nutrition information is not included in this recipe. 

Keywords: how to cook cornish hens, roasted cornish hens

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4 Comments

About April Anderson

I’m a passionate home cook, cookbook author, recipe developer, freelance writer, food photographer, and dog mom ❤ I garnish (almost) everything with parsley and believe you can make deliciously amazing dishes with everyday ingredients.

« Garlic Toast
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Comments

  1. Kathy says

    January 24, 2022 at 2:11 pm

    My husband and I love Game Hens and I have made them three different ways before seeing your recipe. We LOVE yours the best!! The directions are clear and easy to follow, the birds looked toasty brown and were really crispy, the veggies inside were cooked to perfection (just a little crunchy) and the time between cooking and serving gave me enough time to make the wild rice I wanted.
    This was the first recipe of yours I tried and I will definitely use others in the future! Thanks for making me look so good!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • April Anderson says

      January 26, 2022 at 6:13 pm

      This makes my day! I am so happy you love the recipe – thanks for letting me know.

      Reply
  2. RR says

    December 31, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Had this for a special dinner with my girlfriend and it was a night I will never forget! Thank you for this recipe that will always have a special place in my heart.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • April Anderson says

      December 31, 2021 at 6:28 pm

      So glad you loved it 😊

      Reply

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