Easy Roasted Cornish Hens
“Moist and tender cornish hens seasoned with a savory spice mixture and roasted with vegetables to perfection!”
Watch me make these easy roasted cornish hens from start to finish!
Cornish hens are so doggone cute!! Every time I make them I’m all like “awwwww look…. so precious”. Sometimes I even do the whole baby talk thing “awww wook at those wittle wegs!!” Ha! Ay don’t act like you didn’t know I was a tad off.
If you’ve never made cornish hens before then you should definitely start with this easy, basic recipe. It’s nothing fancy-schmancy really. No super seasoning blends. Just a delicious, quick recipe that creates one juicy, tender cornish hens (without brining) that pairs up great with so many side dishes.
Feel free to add in more seasonings and spices if you’re going for something really spicey…or smokey…or salty…or whatevs!
What I love about this roasted cornish hen recipe is that it cooks over a bed of fresh veggies so this could totally be a complete meal.
There is something about serving cornish hens that looks so elegant. Everybody gets their own little juicy hen to devour. It’s a GREAT alternative to doing a whole turkey for Thanksgiving, especially if you’re having a small gathering.
I usually serve it with wild rice, candied yams, and cabbage. Oh yeah and a basket of yeast rolls and sweet ice tea!!! Yes, Lordt!!!!” I wish I had that meal right now!
Get the Recipe: Easy Roasted Cornish Hens For Easter
Ingredients
- 8 carrot, peeled and evenly chopped
- 8 celery stalk, roughly chopped
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 5 springs rosemary, can use more
- 3 cloves minced garlic, optional
- 4 Cornish hens, thawed, rinsed and patted COMPLETELY dry inside out.
- olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley
- 3-4 tablespoons butter, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Spread out chopped vegetables and rosemary in the bottom of 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Rub olive oil lightly over the Cornish hens. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together spices and sprinkle generously over the hens, being sure to season the inside cavity as well. ( Want more flavor? See note)
- Place the hens on top of the bed of vegetables.
- Run your fingers under the skin to loosen it.
- Place a slice of butter under the skin of each hen.
- Tie the legs together with kitchen string or foil paper. (I like to sprinkle on more parsley at this point but that's optional)
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, depending on size of hens.
- Let hens rest for 15 minutes before eating.
Video
Notes
Just finished devouring these little hens. You’re right! “Tender for days” . Thanks for sharing.
Do u cover the pan with tin foil?
I made this earlier this week. It was good. Every piece was tender and with flavor. I doubled the seasoning and marinated too like suggested.
Nice recipe!! thank u 🙂
This was my first time making roasted chicken and my family finished it off in no time! It was easy and we will continue to make it. The foil/rack did throw me off a bit, but I just followed my instinct and laid the hens on top of the vegetables. I did have to leave it in 5 minutes longer than the recipe. Thanks a lot for this recipe 🙂
I am so gonna be doing this. My mom and I LOVE chicken of all kinds and cornish hens are just so much fun to EAT. I can eat a whole one by myself quite easily. We usually do it forty clove style, just stuff garlic in ALL places but this… Ooo this sounds GOOOD. Though I’ll admit we’re not big celery eaters (not the taste, texture) so probably just cooking them over a big bed of onions and then have some mashed potatoes to go with it. Darnit now I’m hungry!
Gurlllllll!!!!!! This looks amazing!!! I will be trying this and going in! I do have my own blog coming soon and I do post recipes that I like and try and I will certainly give you credit! I will more than likely add my own touch but the inspirational credit will be given to you! Thank you for that inspiration to do my own blog, love! I work full time so between building and writing out recipes and testing just to get it going takes time. Thank you for the love you put into your food and your family. I’m certainly on that wave length! Awesome work and blessings to you and your family!!! :))