Roast Cornish Game Hens

Cornish Game Hens are a delightfully plump little poultry that get their name from Cornwall, an area on the tip of England’s southernmost peninsula. But thankfully, these days these delicious little dainties are available all over the world, usually found in frozen form in your grocer’s freezer.

For such little birds, they have a surprising amount of meat on ‘em, and what a tasty meat it is. I find Cornish hens a bit richer than chicken, and listed below is a simple recipe that really brings out but doesn’t cover up their flavor.


Roast Cornish Game Hens

2 Cornish game hens
Salt and pepper to taste
2 lemons, sliced in eight pieces
8 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons olive oil
24 cloves garlic
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup chicken broth


Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Rub hens with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 4 lemon wedge and a couple sprigs of rosemary in cavity of each hen.

Tie legs closed with cooking twine to help keep lemons in cavity. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around hens.

Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until hens are golden brown and juices run clear.   Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes. 

Transfer hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent hens with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Spoon sauce and garlic around hens. Garnish with rosemary sprigs if you like, and serve.

Cheerio!

Chris