Insanely Delicious Cornish Game Hens Recipe (2024)

Fancy and baked to crispy perfection these cornish hens will be the star of the show. Not only are they insanely delicious but they are so simple to make!

If you want to turn this into a full-on feast then you should cook these up with some sides like potatoes, salad, and carrots. They will complement these hens perfectly!

Cornish Game Hens

Cornish game hens are similar to roasted chicken. They are a hearty and filling dinner that looks super fancy. And… the best part about them is that, unlike a turkey, they only take a few minutes to prep and cook! But they still pack a punch when it comes to looks and flavor. These cornish hens will deliver on everything and take your meal to the next level!

So now that you know that they are hearty and taste delicious, what exactly are cornish game hens? So this particular meat is just a smaller breed of chicken. Instead of weighing 4-6 lbs when fully grown, they mature at about 2 lbs. Because they are so much smaller, it makes them easier to prepare and cook! Plus the meat on cornish hens is super tender which is what makes them taste extra good!

Ingredients for Cornish Hens

Don’t let the fancy name hold you back from cooking up these bad boys. They are so easy and delicious, anyone can make them! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

• Cornish game hens: You can find these in the freezer section near the frozen turkeys in your local grocery store. Try to find ones that are about 1.5 lbs each.
• Lemon: The lemon slices will help add a bright and fresh flavor.
• Onion: Bringing in that savory flavor, these onions really add to the delicious taste.
• Garlic cloves: Make sure to peel your garlic cloves before adding them to your hens!
• Rosemary and Thyme stems: These bring in that earthy flavor that is often used as in meat rubs.
• Olive oil: These are used as the base of the rub to make all of the seasonings stick to the hens.
• Dried Italian herbs: The first part of the rub. These flavors are classic.
• Garlic powder and onion powder: Adding these in to the Italian herbs, these add a stronger flavor.
• Kosher salt and Pepper: Use these to your liking!
• Garnish ideas: You can use fresh lemon slices, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, fresh parsley

How to Cook Cornish Hens

These hens are easy to prep and fast to cook. They are SOO GOOD and will be worth any time you spend cooking them!

1. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Add lemon, onion and stems: Slice the lemon and onion, and place in the bottom of a 13X9 baking dish. Add the garlic, rosemary stems, and thyme stems. Set aside while you prepare the hens.
3. Dry hens: Remove the hens from the packaging, and pat dry with paper towels.
4. Tie legs: Tie the legs of the hens together using kitchen twine.
5. Rub on olive oil: Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil on each hen. Using your hands, rub generously all over the hen.
6. Combine seasonings and rub on hens: In a small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, dried herbs, and salt and pepper. Sprinkle liberally all over the hens.
7. Add hens: Place the hens on top of the lemons and onions in the prepared dish.
8. Bake: Bake about 45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F. If the skin of the hens starts to darken, you can cover them with foil.
9. Let them rest: Allow the hens to rest for 5 minutes before serving. To serve, cut hens in half. Each hen will serve 2 people. Serve with pan drippings, delicious sides, and fresh lemon and herbs to garnish.