Should I cover my Cornish hens when baking?

Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.

What is the best way to eat Cornish hens?

Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect as a serving for one person or split in half when served with some delicious sides . I love pairing this easy roasted Cornish hen recipe with my Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables; or Brussels sprouts...

Do Cornish hens need to be thawed before cooking?

Properly sealed in air-tight packaging, frozen birds may be stored in the freezer for 7 or 10 months. Refrigerator Defrosting: To thaw, place frozen bird in the refrigerator and let set for at least 24 hours . Once thawed, cook within a day or two.

Do you have to remove anything from a Cornish hen before cooking?

Some Cornish game hens come with giblets and some do not. If yours does, you need to remove them from the cavity before cooking. After we rub them down with oil, I place the Cornish hens in a 9x13 baking dish, I combine the seasonings in a small bowl, and I season both sides.

Do you cook Cornish hens breast side up or down?

Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath.

How do you keep Cornish hens from drying out?

You can also keep some of the pan drippings and reheat the chicken in a skillet with the drippings to prevent it from drying out.

Should Cornish hens be at room temperature before cooking?

Half an hour before you plan to cook, bring the chickens to room temperature . Using butcher's twine, tie the chicken legs together at the ankles. Cover the wing tips with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

How do you know when a Cornish hen is done?

Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear .

Can one person eat a whole Cornish hen?

Cornish Hens are just baby chickens but they taste completely different. They present really well when serving and cook in a short period of time. I like serving them for dinner parties or for the holidays. Typically 1/2 a Cornish hen is enough for one person but someone with a good appetite could eat a whole one .

What temperature is Cornish hen cooked?

An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) . Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

Should Cornish hens be room temp before cooking?

Allow your hens to sit out of the fridge at least an hour before cooking to come to room temp then preheat the oven to 350°. Quarter up the onions, peel the garlic leaving it whole, and quarter the lemon (remove zest before cutting).

What is the purpose of a rack in a roasting pan when preparing Cornish hens?

Roasting Cornish hens on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet also helps elevate the birds so that the thighs cook as quickly as the breasts . Cornish hens are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and their juices run clear.

Cajun Cornish Hens Recipe | CDKitchen.com (2024)

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#61751

Oil-brushed hens get the whole spice cabinet rubbed on before getting oven-baked for an incredible crispy skin.

serves/makes:

ready in:

1-2 hrs

7 reviews

ingredients

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 Cornish hens (1 to 1 1/2 pound size)
2 tablespoons olive oil

directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the cayenne, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, paprika, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix well.

Dry the cornish hens. Brush thoroughly with the olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the hens, making sure to get all sides.

Place the hens breast side up in a baking pan and place in the oven. Bake at 400 degrees F for 45-60 minutes (depending on size) or until they register 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes then serve while hot.

recipe tips

Make sure the hens are thoroughly dried before oiling and seasoning so the oil and seasonings adhere properly.

Rub some of the seasoning mixture under the skin for more flavor.

Let the hens rest for a few minutes after baking for the juices to redistribute.

Baste the hens with any juices in the pan halfway through cooking for added moisture and flavor.

Experiment with different spices and herbs.

For an extra crispy skin, broil the hens for the last few minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.

common recipe questions

Can I use a different type of oil?

Yes, you can use another oil like canola or vegetable oil as a substitute for olive oil.

Is there a substitute for seasoned salt?

You can use a combination of salt and a pinch of your favorite spices as a substitute.

Can I cook the hens on a grill instead of baking?

Yes, you can grill the Cornish hens over medium heat, turning occasionally, until fully cooked.

How can I tell if the hens are cooked without a thermometer?

The juices should run clear when the thigh is pierced with a knife, and the legs should move easily in their sockets.

Can I stuff the Cornish hens?

Yes, you can stuff the cavity with aromatics like garlic, onion, or lemon wedges for added flavor.

Is there a way to make the hens less spicy?

Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and paprika for a milder version.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can season the hens ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Let them come to room temperature before baking.

How should I store and reheat leftovers?

Store leftovers, covered, in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through.

Can I add vegetables to the baking pan?

Yes, you can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or Brussels sprouts to the pan.

nutrition data for cajun cornish hens

623 calories, 46 grams fat, 2 grams carbohydrates, 48 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.

more recipes like cajun cornish hens

BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS

reviews & comments for cajun cornish hens

Blewee0813 REVIEW:
January 27, 2022

Absolutely delectable! I use smoked paprika in place of regular paprika and add a bit of Blackened Seasoning!
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
January 21, 2019

My family loves this recipe!! We sometimes sub chipotle chili powder for cayenne and itâs delicious too without quite as much heat.
Sandra. REVIEW:
September 25, 2018

Delicioso
Teri REVIEW:
March 11, 2018

Excellent and so easy.
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
September 2, 2013

The crispy skin is amazing!! Love the spices in this recipe. Good way to dress up cornish game hens.
Guest Foodie REVIEW:
October 19, 2009

This recipe turned out so well. The skin was very crispy and full of spices. I paired this with Parmesan crusted Asparagus and red potatoes and it was extremely tasty. I am definitely making this recipe again!
try23 REVIEW:
November 7, 2008

This was great. Walmart had a special on game hens last week and I went looking for a recipe to add some flavor that was not labor intensive. This was it. The spices added a great flavor and the added benefit of crisping the skin.

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