Cornish game hens, a smaller alternative to traditional chicken, offer a delightful culinary experience with their tender meat and flavorful stuffing options. Whether you prefer a classic bread stuffing, a savory wild rice filling, or a tangy citrus blend, these compact birds provide a versatile canvas for your creativity in the kitchen. With their relatively quick cooking time and ease of preparation, Cornish game hens make for an exceptional and elegant addition to any meal, whether it's a special occasion or a cozy family dinner.
Let's cook with our recipes!
STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS
THIS ENTREE makes an ordinary day special. Whenever I cook Cornish hens for my husband and me, it stirs up warm memories of family times around the holiday dinner table. I bake the extra stuffing separately so we're sure to have enough. -Nancy Aubrey, Ruidoso, New Mexico
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h20m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1728 calories, Fat 106g fat (44g saturated fat), Cholesterol 601mg cholesterol, Sodium 3675mg sodium, Carbohydrate 106g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 82g protein.
TENDER STUFFED CORNISH HENS
I first served these hens at Thanksgiving one year when only a few of us gathered to celebrate the holiday. They're so yummy they often grace our table throughout the year. The wild rice stuffing offers a flavor my family always enjoys. -Jenny Holliday, Roanoke, Alabama
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h25m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cook rice according to package directions. In a small skillet, saute celery and onion in 1 tablespoon butter until tender. Stir in the soup, mushrooms and prepared rice., Sprinkle inside and outside of hens with salt and pepper. Stuff with rice mixture. Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan; cover with foil. , Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Remove foil. Melt remaining butter; brush over hens. Bake 25-35 minutes longer or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing.
Nutrition Facts : Fat 46 g fat (17 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 257 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,618 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41 g carbohydrate, Fiber 3 g fiber, Protein 45 g protein.
CORNISH HENS WITH APPLE-RAISIN STUFFING
A special holiday entrée for eight that needs just 30 minutes of preparation.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. In 10-inch skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add onions and apple; cook and stir until tender. Stir in remaining stuffing ingredients. In ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan, spread stuffing.
- Split each game hen in half. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place hen halves, skin side up, over stuffing. In 1-quart saucepan, melt jelly with 2 tablespoons butter over low heat; brush over hens.
- Bake uncovered 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until hens are fork-tender and until juice of hens is clear when thickest pieces are cut to bone (at least 165°F).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 810, Carbohydrate 57 g, Cholesterol 260 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 2 g, Protein 48 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 780 mg, Sugar 16 g, TransFat 1 g
CRANBERRY-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS
Dried cranberries add plenty of flavor to these Cornish game hens.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dinner Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out diced bread on a rimmed baking sheet; toastin oven, turning occasionally, until light brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
- Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add leek, mushrooms, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in bread, chopped sage, parsley, mustard, thyme, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup broth.
- Spoon stuffing into bird cavities; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Rub birds with butter, then sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Arrange birds on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thighs (avoiding bone) registers 170 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer rack with birds to a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest.
- Set roasting pan on top of stove across two burners; set heat to medium-high. Add port and remaining 1/4 cup broth; deglaze pan, scraping up any browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries; cook, stirring, until sauce reduces slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place birds on a serving platter, and drizzle sauce over them. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 487 g, Cholesterol 223 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 53 g, Sodium 759 g
SAUSAGE-STUFFED CORNISH HENS
Bake an elegant main dish of Sausage-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens. Our recipe for Cornish game hens features apple jelly glaze and sausage stuffing.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 1h35m
Yield Makes 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Brown sausage with mushrooms in large skillet; drain. Return to skillet. Add stuffing mix, carrots and hot water; stir just until moistened. Set aside.
- Spoon stuffing mixture evenly into hen cavities; close openings with skewers. Place hens, breast sides up, in shallow roasting pan. Brush with oil.
- Bake 1 hour; spoon jelly over hens. Bake an additional 10 min. or until hens are cooked through (180°F).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 720, Fat 45 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 220 mg, Sodium 780 mg, Carbohydrate 32 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 15 g, Protein 43 g
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH WILD RICE STUFFING
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a medium skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Saute the onions and celery until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the thyme and cook for 1 minute more. In a mixing bowl combine the onion mixture with the rice, parsley, nuts and dried fruits and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place 1/2 cup of the stuffing into the cavity of each hen. Tie the legs of each bird together with kitchen twine.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Melt the remaining butter with the vinegar. Brush the birds all over with the butter mixture and season with salt and pepper. Put the hens on a rack in a large roasting pan, breast-side up. Roast the hens until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170 degrees F., about 80 minutes. Set the birds aside at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. Split hens in half through the breast with a sharp knife or poultry shears, and keep the stuffing intact. Arrange birds skin-side up, on a platter, garnish with sprigs of parsley and serve.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORNBREAD STUFFING
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h5m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Saute the leeks for 8 to 10 minutes, until softened. Add the apples and cook for 3 minutes more. In a medium bowl combine the leek mixture with the sage, parsley, cornbread and enough broth to moisten. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stuff the birds with the cornbread mixture and tie the legs of each hen together with kitchen twine. Melt the remaining butter. Brush the birds all over with butter and season with salt and pepper. Put the hens on a rack in a large roasting pan, breast-side up. Roast until an instant read thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170 degrees F., about 80 minutes. Set the birds aside at room temperature, loosely covered with foil, for 10 minutes before carving. Split the hens in half through the breast with a sharp knife or poultry shears, and keep the stuffing intact. Arrange birds skin-side up, on a platter, garnish with sprigs of herbs and serve.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING
My mother used to make this for Easter dinner. The rice stuffing is a perfect partner for the hens. Packaged wild rice mix can be used as well.
Provided by MOMMYCOFFEY
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes
Time 2h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the almonds, onion, and uncooked wild rice. Saute 5 to 10 minutes. Mix in the water, chicken bouillon cube, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook 45 minutes until rice is tender and easily fluffed with a fork.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Season the Cornish game hens inside and out with salt, and stuff with the rice mixture. Place the hens breast side up on a rack in a baking pan. Brush with 1/4 cup melted butter.
- Cover the baking pan, and cook the hens 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Uncover, and continue cooking 1 hour, or until the hens are no longer pink and the juices run clear.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 396.9 calories, Carbohydrate 11.3 g, Cholesterol 128.9 mg, Fat 32.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 15.8 g, Sodium 1341.1 mg, Sugar 0.7 g
ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH BULGUR STUFFING (FARAKH BADARI)
Provided by Craig Claiborne
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Sprinkle the hens inside and out with salt and pepper. Blend the bulgur and parsley in a mixing bowl.
- Stuff each game hen with an equal portion of the bulgur mixture. Truss the hens.
- Place a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Arrange the hens breast side up on the rack. To prepare a basting sauce, blend the remaining ingredients, salt and pepper.
- Brush the hens with the basting sauce. Place in the oven and roast one hour, basting often with the sauce. Remove the trussing string and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 799, UnsaturatedFat 37 grams, Carbohydrate 27 grams, Fat 53 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 52 grams, SaturatedFat 12 grams, Sodium 1426 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams
STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH ORANGE SAUCE
I like this recipe because it not only tastes delicious, and makes a beautiful presentation, but is quick and easy to put together. You don't have to be an experienced gourmet chef to serve your family these special little birds.
Provided by Geema
Categories Chicken
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Saute the chopped onions in the tablespoon of butter until soft.
- Mix rice, onions, apple, raisins and poultry seasoning together in a small bowl.
- Season the cornish hens well inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Place 1/2 cup stuffing into each hen cavity.
- Brush hens liberally with melted butter.
- Place hens, breast side up in a shallow baking pan.
- Cook for about 45 minutes depending on the size of the hens, basting once during the roasting time.
- Make Sauce: In small saucepan, cook the orange juice, brown sugar and butter until thickened, stirring frequently.
CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CRABMEAT STUFFING
I found this recipe in Homecooking.com when someone was asking for Crab stuffed cornish hens. This looked so good, I thought I would post it.
Provided by CoolMonday
Categories Poultry
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 hens
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Wash hens inside and out with cold water.
- Pat dry with paper towels.
- Rub oil lightly over hens.
- Season inside and out with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.
- STUFFING.
- Melt butter in large pan.
- Saute garlic, parsley, green onion and celery till soft.
- Add crab meat, salt and pepper.
- Stir gently.
- Don't break up crab too much.
- Turn heat down to simmer.
- Add bread crumbs and half and half a little at a time so mixture is not too dry.
- Remove from heat.
- Divide stuffing between hens and stuff into cavities.
- Tie legs together and place on rack in roasting pan.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Internal temp should read 180 degrees.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1157.9, Fat 84.5, SaturatedFat 30.8, Cholesterol 448.2, Sodium 1084.3, Carbohydrate 21.6, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.9, Protein 74.5
CORNISH GAME HEN WITH STUFFING AND SHERRIED GRAVY
Categories Roast Stuffing/Dressing Sherry Bon Appétit
Yield 2 servings; can be doubled
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 475°F. Butter 11x7-inch baking pan. Bring 6 tablespoons broth just to simmer in medium saucepan; remove from heat. Mix in stuffing mix and 1 teaspoon sage. Spoon stuffing in 4 equal mounds in prepared pan. Season hen quarters with 1 teaspoon sage and salt and pepper. Press 1 hen quarter onto each stuffing mound.
- Bake until hen is golden brown and juices run clear when hen is pierced with skewer, about 20 minutes. Transfer hen and stuffing to 2 plates; tent with foil to keep warm. Do not clean baking pan.
- Place liver and remaining 1/4 cup broth in same baking pan. Set pan over medium heat. Boil until slightly thickened, scraping up browned bits, about 2 minutes. Mix in dry Sherry; simmer 1 minute. Spoon gravy over hen pieces and serve immediately.
Tips:
- Choose the right Cornish game hens: Look for hens that are plump and have a healthy yellow skin. Avoid hens that are too thin or have any blemishes.
- Prepare the hens properly: Rinse the hens inside and out and pat them dry. Remove any giblets or excess fat.
- Season the hens generously: Use a variety of herbs and spices to season the hens, both inside and out. This will help to enhance their flavor.
- Stuff the hens loosely: Don't overstuff the hens, as this will make them difficult to cook evenly. Leave some room for the stuffing to expand.
- Roast the hens at a high temperature: This will help to create a crispy skin and juicy meat.
- Baste the hens frequently: Basting the hens with their own juices will help to keep them moist and prevent them from drying out.
- Let the hens rest before carving: Allow the hens to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This will help the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful dish.
Conclusion:
Cornish game hens are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily create a memorable meal that will impress your family and friends. Whether you choose to stuff the hens with a classic bread stuffing or something more creative, you're sure to enjoy this delicious dish.
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