Description
This Best Roasted Cornish Hen Ever recipe is the perfect poultry dish for a cozy dinner or special occasion. With juicy meat, crispy skin, and garlic herb butter flavor, it’s an easy yet elegant way to serve roasted Cornish hens. Ideal for holidays, date nights, or weeknight meals, and packed with protein and flavor.
Ingredients
1 whole Cornish hen per person
2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 lemon, quartered
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat dry the Cornish hens using paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, mix the butter with garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Gently loosen the skin on the hens and rub the herb butter under and over the skin.
4. Stuff each hen cavity with a lemon wedge and a sprig of thyme.
5. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and place hens breast-side up on a roasting rack.
6. Drizzle olive oil over the hens.
7. Roast in the oven for 45–55 minutes or until skin is golden and juices run clear.
8. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure the hens are fully thawed before roasting.
Rubbing the butter under the skin adds extra moisture and flavor.
Use a meat thermometer: internal temp should reach 165°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hen
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 220mg