Roasted Cornish Game Hen

Make Dinner Special Tonight with a Roasted Cornish Game Hen

Are Cornish game hens exotic birds that are difficult to cook?

If the term “roasted Cornish game hen” sounds fancy or intimidating, it’s time to bust that myth wide open.

These adorable little birds are nothing more than pint-sized chickens with a touch of elegance.

What’s the Deal with Cornish Game Hens?

Farmers originally bred these birds by cross breeding Cornish and Plymouth Rocks chickens. Their aim was to create a bird with tender meat and broad breasts.

And here’s the fun fact about the word “game” in the name: It’s total marketing magic. These hens are wild or exotic – they’re just brilliantly branded to sound fancy.

And as the word “hen”, that’s another marketing trick. Cornish game hens can be male or female.

Their petite size of 1-2 pounds each makes roasted Cornish game hens the perfect for individual servings with a stunning presentation. Plus, they cook faster than a standard roast chicken, so you’ll spend less time waiting and more time enjoying.

Why This Recipe is Your New Favorite

My roasted Cornish game hen recipe takes all the best things about these tiny birds and makes them shine.

You’ll start by stuffing the cavity with onion and garlic, so the meat absorbs their savory goodness while roasting.

Then comes the piéce de résistance: a dreamy herb-butter rub. You’ll mash together rosemary, thyme and garlic, then slather it under the skin for maximum flavor.

You can truss these birds with twine, or by making a small slit in the skin above the legs.

The oven does the heavy lifting. High heat crisps the skin to a gorgeous golden brown while locking in all that buttery, herbaceous flavor.

Even if you’ve never roasted poultry before, these birds are easy to cook. Their small size means they cook faster than a standard chicken, making them perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute supper plans.

Pair them with simple sides like roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or wild rice, and let the hens steal the spotlight.

Cooking Tips

1. Thaw Completely. Plan ahead. Give your hen 24-48 hours in the fridge to thaw.

2. Dry the Skin. A dry surface helps the skin crisp beautifully during roasting.

3. Rest the Hens. Allow the hens to rest 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute back into the meat.

Your Cornish Game Hen Adventure Starts Now

So Cornish game hens approachable, delicious, and downright fun to cook.

Try it tonight and see why these little birds have been winning hearts (and stomachs) for decades. You’ve got this—time to roast like a rockstar!

Roasted asparagus pairs well with this recipe.

Roasted Cornish Game Hen

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Roasted Cornish game hen makes a show-stopping and easy dinner when roasted to perfection with this recipe and cooking tips.

• Author: Chef Sandra Lewis

Ingredients

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• 1 Cornish Game Hen
• 2 large cloves of garlic, 1 clove minced, the other smashed
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4–1/2 small onion, rough chopped
• 1/4 lemon, chunked
• kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400˚F.
2. In a small bowl, combine 1 clove of minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, butter, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Using a fork (or your fingers!), mash ingredients together until well incorporated into the butter.
4. Using your hands separate the skin from meat and rub the butter mixture directly into the meat and beneath the skin.
5. Season the cavity of the bird with kosher salt and stuff with rough-chopped onion, chunked lemon, and the smashed garlic clove.
6. Pat the topside of the skin dry with a paper towel and sprinkle with kosher salt.
7. Roast for one hour or until internal temp reaches 165˚F.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.