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Cornish Game Hen Dinner

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Looking to impress with a meal that’s elegant yet approachable? This Cornish Game Hen dinner is a show-stopper that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Perfect for a romantic dinner, a small family gathering, or just when you want to treat yourself to something special, this recipe pairs tender, juicy Cornish hens with perfectly roasted vegetables for a complete one-pan meal.

Baked Cornish Hen Dinner

Cornish Game Hen Dinner

What makes this dish truly shine is the combination of herbs, butter, and citrus that infuse the hens with rich, savory flavors. Paired with golden-brown potatoes and caramelized carrots, every bite is packed with comforting goodness. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just venturing into the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and comes together in under two hours—most of which is hands-off!

The best part? It’s versatile! Swap in your favorite root vegetables or add extra garlic and herbs to customize it to your taste. Stick around to learn how to prepare this crowd-pleaser and get tips on serving it with the perfect side dishes to round out the meal.

cornish game hen recipe

What You Will Love About This Recipe

This baked Cornish hen dinner is the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. You’ll love how the tender, juicy hens soak up the flavors of butter, fresh herbs, and citrus, creating a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen. The golden roasted vegetables add a hearty, savory touch that makes it a complete, satisfying dish.


Another reason to fall for this recipe is how versatile and approachable it is. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a special family meal, the simple, one-pan preparation saves you time and cleanup. Plus, the recipe is easily customizable—swap out the veggies or experiment with different herbs to suit your personal preferences.


And let’s not forget the presentation! These petite hens create a stunning centerpiece for your table, making any meal feel extra special. Whether you’re cooking for two or a small group, this recipe is sure to impress your guests and leave everyone reaching for seconds.

cornish game hens recipe

Ingredients

For Hens:

2 Cornish hens (about 1.5 pounds each), giblets removed

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

3 rosemary sprigs, 1 sprig minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/4 teaspoon ground sage

3 sprigs thyme, 1 sprig minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

For the vegetables

3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed or 1 pound small potatoes

3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 onion, cut into wedges

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1 cup chicken broth

2 lemons, cut into wedges for serving

How to Make Baked Cornish Hen

Baked Cornish Hen Dinne

For the Hens:

  • Preheat the oven to 450° and spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  • Combine the butter, salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic.
  • Wash the birds and pat dry.  Remove anything from the inside of the birds.
wash cornish hens
  • Using twine, tie the legs together and twist the wings under the bird.
tie the legs with twine
  • . Brush the herbed butter over the bird, on all sides and on the inside of the bird.
brush the hens with butter

For the Vegetables:

  • Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in the pan. Pour the melted butter over the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Pour the chicken broth over the vegetables.
  • Lay the hens on the potatoes. 
;ay hens on top of vegetables
  • Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cover with tinfoil.  Lower the oven temperature to 400°.  Place the pan back into the oven and bake for 55 minutes.  Remove the tinfoil and bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.  Thermometer inserted into the thigh should reach 180° F. 
  • Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Baked Cornish Hen Dinner

Tips & Tricks

  • Dry the Hens for Crispy Skin
  • Pat the hens completely dry with paper towels before seasoning and basting with butter. Removing excess moisture ensures you get that beautifully golden, crispy skin.
  • Truss the Hens for Even Cooking
  • If the hens are on the larger side, consider trussing them (tying the legs and wings close to the body) to help them cook evenly and retain their juices.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer
  • For perfectly cooked hens, check the internal temperature. Insert a thermometer into the thickest part of the breast or thigh—it should read 165°F for safe consumption.
  • Experiment with Herbs and Citrus
  • Don’t hesitate to try different herb combinations, like parsley or oregano, or swap the lemon for orange slices to create a unique flavor profile.
  • Rest the Hens Before Serving
  • After removing the hens from the oven, let them rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, flavorful meat.
  • Deglaze for an Easy Gravy
  • Use the drippings and chicken broth from the roasting pan to make a quick and delicious gravy. Simply whisk them together over medium heat, and you’ve got a flavorful topping for both the hens and veggies.
Baked Cornish Hen Dinne

FAQs

Thaw frozen Cornish hens in the refrigerator for 24 hours. If you’re short on time, you can place them in a sealed bag and submerge them in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes.

Absolutely! Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies. Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, parsnips, or green beans work wonderfully in this dish.

While fresh herbs add vibrant flavor, dried herbs work just as well. Use about 1/3 of the amount if substituting dried herbs for fresh.

cornish game hen dinner long pin
cornish game hen dinner
Baked Cornish Hen Dinne

Baked Cornish Hen Dinner

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Baked Cornish hen is the perfect date night meal or holiday dinner that is simple to make that has all the flair and none of the fuss, thanks to this perfect sheet pan dinner. The seasoned cornish hens are flavorful and juicy and are cooked alongside carrots and potatoes making it a complete meal all on one tray. This is perfect for a simple holiday dinner for 2.

Ingredients

  • For Hens:
  • 2 Cornish hens (about 1.5 pounds each), giblets removed
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 3 rosemary sprigs, 1 sprig minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
  • 3 sprigs thyme, 1 sprig minced or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • For the vegetables
  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed or 1 pound small potatoes
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 lemons, cut into wedges for serving

Instructions

    For the Hens:

  1. Preheat the oven to 450° and spray a pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Combine the butter, salt, pepper, rosemary, sage, thyme, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic.
  3. Wash the birds and pat dry.  Remove anything from the inside of the birds.
  4. Using twine, tie the legs together and twist the wings under the bird. Brush the herbed butter over the bird, on all sides and on the inside of the bird.

For the Vegetables:

  1. Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in the pan. Pour the melted butter over the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  2. Pour the chicken broth over the vegetables.
  3. Lay the hens on the potatoes. 
  4. Place in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cover with tinfoil.  Lower the oven temperature to 400°.  Place the pan back into the oven and bake for 55 minutes.  Remove the tinfoil and bake for 5 to 10 more minutes.  Thermometer inserted into the thigh should reach 180° F. 
  5. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 946Total Fat: 49gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 354mgSodium: 1118mgCarbohydrates: 84gFiber: 11gSugar: 8gProtein: 46g

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