Best 16 Roasted Cornish Hens With Rice Stuffing Recipes

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Are you looking for a delicious and impressive dish to serve at your next special occasion dinner? Roasted Cornish hens with rice stuffing is sure to be a hit! With its tender, juicy meat and flavorful stuffing, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

Here are our top 16 tried and tested recipes!

CORNISH HENS STUFFED WITH RICE



Cornish Hens Stuffed with Rice image

These moist golden hens are a tradition at our house on Christmas Eve. We think the spiced rice stuffing with cinnamon, sweet raisins and honey goes so well with the birds and makes the meal a special one. -Dorothy Anderson, Ottawa, Kansas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup butter, softened, divided
3 cups cooked rice
3/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
6 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, saute onion and celery in 3 tablespoons butter until tender; remove from the heat. Stir in the rice, raisins, walnuts, honey, lemon juice, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stuff hens., Place on a rack in a large shallow baking pan. Rub remaining butter over skin. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1 hour or until a thermometer reads 180°.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1073 calories, Fat 69g fat (24g saturated fat), Cholesterol 392mg cholesterol, Sodium 504mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 64g protein.

RICE-STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Rice-Stuffed Cornish Hens image

"I found this recipe in a cookbook many years ago, and it's become one of my favorites," reports Gloria Leiding of Fairmont, Minnesota. "It's a nice change of pace from the usual beef or pork. These game hens always seem festive."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/3 cup uncooked long grain rice
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
3 tablespoons butter, divided
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained and chopped
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a saucepan, cook and stir the rice, onion and almonds in 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat for 5 minutes or until rice is lightly browned. Stir in the water, bouillon, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 16-20 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in mushrooms., Sprinkle outside and cavity of hens with pepper and remaining salt. Stuff hens with rice mixture. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Melt remaining butter; brush half over hens., Cover and bake at 400° for 25-35 minutes longer or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 998 calories, Fat 68g fat (24g saturated fat), Cholesterol 386mg cholesterol, Sodium 1350mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 63g protein.

CORNISH HENS WITH RICE STUFFING



Cornish Hens with Rice Stuffing image

I came across this recipe a few years ago around Thanksgiving. The golden, juicy hens and festive rice stuffing make a memorable feast for two. Best of all, we're not eating leftovers for days on end.-Kathy Meyer, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 package (6 ounces) long grain and wild rice mix
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/3 cups orange juice
1 cup water
1/4 cup raisins
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Set the seasoning packet from rice mix aside. In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add rice and pecans; cook and stir over low heat for 10 minutes or until rice is golden brown. Stir in the orange juice, water, raisins and contents of seasoning packet; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. , Spoon about 1/2 cup rice mixture into each hen; refrigerate remaining rice mixture. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wing tips under backs. Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan. Melt remaining butter; brush over hens. Sprinkle with salt and pepper., Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in center of stuffing and thigh reaches at least 170°. Baste occasionally with pan drippings. Heat reserved rice mixture; serve with hens.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 75 g fat (20 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 328 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,993 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 97 g carbohydrate, Fiber 5 g fiber, Protein 64 g protein.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH WILD RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice Stuffing image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 1/2 cups cooked wild rice
1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley, plus sprigs for garnish
1/3 cup toasted pecan pieces, broken
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons dried currants
4 dried apricots, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 Cornish hens, patted dry
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

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 HENS WITH BROWN RICE STUFFING



Cornish Hens with Brown Rice Stuffing image

Provided by Robin Miller : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/4 pounds each, giblets removed and discarded
Salt and ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup minced scallions
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup instant brown rice
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
Prepared cranberry sauce, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  • Rinse hens inside and out and pat dry. Season the hens, inside and out, with salt and black pepper. Place hens in a large roasting pan and set aside.
  • Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add scallions and garlic and saute 2 minutes. Add brown rice and thyme and stir to combine. Add 1 cup of the chicken broth, cover and bring mixture to a simmer. Allow rice to cook for 3 minutes then add the sun-dried tomatoes and bell pepper. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.
  • Remove from heat and spoon rice mixture loosely into cavity of hens. Pour remaining 1/2 cup of chicken broth into bottom of pan.
  • Place hens in oven and immediately reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until juices from thigh run clear when pierced with a fork, basting every 15 minutes with the pan juices.
  • Remove the hens from the oven and transfer to a platter. Pour the pan juices over top and serve.
  • Serving suggestion: Serve the stuffed hens with cranberry sauce and a side dish of fresh or frozen snow peas sauteed in a little olive oil and seasoned with salt and crushed red pepper.

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens with Rice Stuffing image

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

3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons chopped onion
⅓ cup uncooked wild rice
1 cup water
1 cube chicken bouillon
½ teaspoon salt
2 Cornish game hens
salt to taste
¼ cup melted butter

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

CORNISH HEN AND DIRTY RICE SAUSAGE STUFFING



Cornish Hen and Dirty Rice Sausage Stuffing image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 small white onions, diced (about 1 cup)
1 small green pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 cup sausage meat, casings removed (spicy Italian or chorizo preferred)
1/2 pound chopped chicken livers
1/2 cup chicken gizzards, chopped
2 to 3 cloves chopped garlic
1 tablespoon ground dry oregano
1 tablespoon dry, ground thyme
1/4 chopped parsley
2 cups cold, cooked white rice
4 12-ounce Cornish hens
3 tablespoons soft butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In a large saute pan, heat olive oil. Add onions and green pepper and saute. Add sausage meat and cook for about 5 minutes. Add livers and gizzards and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, thyme and parsley. Combine and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove mixture from the heat and cool thoroughly.
  • Combine stuffing with rice. Divide and stuff hens immediately prior to cooking. Tie legs closed. Brush hens with butter and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until hens are cooked and temperature of stuffing is 155 degrees.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS



Roasted Cornish Game Hens image

Go for a different kind of bird by stuffing and cooking the Neelys' Roasted Cornish Game Hens recipe from Down Home with the Neelys on Food Network.

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon-pepper
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each, rinsed and dried thoroughly
1 green bell pepper, large dice
2 stalks celery, large dice
1 onion, large dice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a small mixing bowl, stir together salt, lemon pepper, dried basil and poultry seasoning. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season each with the salt mixture. Place the hens on a baking sheet pan with plenty of space between them. You may need to use 2 pans. Loosely stuff the cavities of each hen with some green bell pepper, celery and onion. 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. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.

ROASTED CORNISH HENS WITH DRIED CHERRY STUFFING



Roasted Cornish Hens With Dried Cherry Stuffing image

Make and share this Roasted Cornish Hens With Dried Cherry Stuffing recipe from Food.com.

Provided by senseicheryl

Categories     Chicken

Time 55m

Yield 4 pieces of Hen, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1/2 cup dried sour cherries
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
4 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 dash salt, to taste
1 dash fresh ground black pepper, to taste
2 Cornish hens, split in half

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F
  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the dried cherries, sage and broth and cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in the cubed bread, salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Season the Cornish hen halves with salt and pepper.
  • Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Form the stuffing into 4 mounds on the baking sheet. Place 1/2 of a Cornish hen on top of each mound of stuffing. Roast the hens for 45 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
  • When the hens are finished, transfer them to a serving platter and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

CORNISH HENS WITH RICE DRESSING



Cornish Hens with Rice Dressing image

THIS IS a perfect main dish when you're cooking for two. I've even used these hens as a stand-in for turkey on Thanksgiving Day when the group was not large. I found this recipe among my mother's collection. She was always searching newspapers and magazines for new cooking ideas. -Geraldine Grisdale Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h35m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1-1/3 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 Cornish hens (1 to 1-1/2 pounds each)
1 tablespoon canola oil
Pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In an ungreased 9-in. square baking dish, combine the broth, rice, mushrooms, celery, onion, 1/4 teaspoon marjoram and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place hens on rice mixture and brush with oil. Sprinkle with pepper and remaining marjoram and salt. , Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 25-35 minutes longer or until juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts :

STUFFED & BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS



Stuffed & Baked Cornish Game Hens image

Stuffed with veggies, you can serve stuffing/dressing on the side; also goes well with wild rice and/or roasted potatoes.

Provided by AZPARZYCH

Categories     Poultry

Time 2h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 Cornish hens
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can mixed mushrooms, drained and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano and parsley.
  • Season hens inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with equal amounts butter/vegetable mixture.
  • Place stuffed birds in a 9x13 inch baking dish, breast side up.
  • Drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter.
  • Cover dish and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours.
  • Remove cover and brown at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.3, Fat 38.6, SaturatedFat 22.9, Cholesterol 200.2, Sodium 401.7, Carbohydrate 4.2, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 1.6, Protein 25

GAME HEN STUFFED WITH WILD RICE AND MUSHROOMS



Game Hen Stuffed with Wild Rice and Mushrooms image

This recipe isn't too difficult, but it looks like an expensive restaurant meal! It is the perfect way to fix up that pheasant, duck or even just a Cornish game hen from your local grocery store. This recipe is made with a Cornish game hen in mind, so if you are using a larger bird, you may want to adjust the amount of the ingredients.

Provided by Stephanie Teeter

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Cornish Hen Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 10

½ cup uncooked wild rice
1 ½ cups water
1 pinch salt
10 fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons butter
1 Cornish game hen, thawed
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried crushed rosemary
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter

Steps:

  • Bring the rice, a pinch of salt, and water to a boil in a saucepan with a lid. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer the wild rice until the kernels burst open, 45 to 50 minutes. Replenish the water if necessary. Fluff the rice with a fork, and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes to absorb water.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a baking dish large enough to hold the game hen.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet, and cook and stir the mushrooms over medium heat until they are partially cooked and starting to give their juice, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir the mushrooms and butter into the cooked rice.
  • Sprinkle the game hen, inside and out, with poultry seasoning, rosemary, and salt and pepper. Lightly stuff the Cornish hen with the wild rice mixture, and tie the legs together with cooking twine to hold in the stuffing. Slice 2 tablespoons of butter into small pats, and dot them around the bird.
  • Bake the bird in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, 40 to 50 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove the game hen from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 522.3 calories, Carbohydrate 34.3 g, Cholesterol 136.4 mg, Fat 34.4 g, Fiber 3.7 g, Protein 21.9 g, SaturatedFat 17.7 g, Sodium 213.6 mg, Sugar 2.6 g

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CHEESY RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens With Cheesy Rice Stuffing image

Found this years ago on the internet, and have since made it several times with rave reviews. Don't accidentally double the cheese as I once did. The celery can be replaced with carrots if you don't normally buy it. I have never added the mushrooms.

Provided by PinkPanther

Categories     Chicken

Time 2h45m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup rice
2 tablespoons celery
2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
1 cup chicken broth
1 (2 ounce) can mushrooms, drained and chopped (optional)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Cornish hens

Steps:

  • Melt butter in saucepan.
  • Add rice, celery and onions, cook for 5-10 minutes.
  • Add chicken broth, bring to boil.
  • Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes.
  • Stir in mushrooms if using.
  • Cool.
  • Mix in cheddar cheese.
  • Season birds with salt and pepper, then stuff. Place extra stuffing mixture in separate pan.
  • Place breast side up on a rack in a pan. Cover with foil.
  • Roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.
  • Remove foil, and continue roasting for 45 minutes, or until done. Baste occasionally with butter.
  • The extra stuffing is added covered during the last 45 minutes. Remove the cover the last 15 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 849.7, Fat 50.6, SaturatedFat 28.8, Cholesterol 337.8, Sodium 904.7, Carbohydrate 28.2, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 1.2, Protein 66.9

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CHERRY-RICE STUFFING



Cornish Game Hens With Cherry-Rice Stuffing image

Make and share this Cornish Game Hens With Cherry-Rice Stuffing recipe from Food.com.

Provided by mariposa13

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 cup cooked rice
8 ounces cherries, pitted
2 tablespoons chopped dried apricots
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 (1 1/2 lb) Cornish hens
1/3 cup apricot jam

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F In skillet melt 2 tbsp butter over med heat.
  • Add celery and shallots; cook, stirring often, until tender, about 4 minute Remove from heat; stir in rice, cherries, apricots, parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp pepper.
  • Rub hens with remaining butter; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.
  • Fill cavities with stuffing.
  • Place on rack in roasting pan.
  • Roast 15 minute Reduce oven temp to 350F roast 45 minute.
  • Stir 1 tbsp water into jam; brush over hens.
  • Roast until meat thermometer inserted into thigh registers 180F, about 15 minute.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH SAUSAGE STUFFING



Roasted Cornish Game Hens With Sausage Stuffing image

I found this recipe on a recipe card at Walmart but it didn't have flavor and it had mushrooms. Most people I know hate mushrooms and need flavor so, I cut out the mushrooms and added some flavor..

Provided by ndiaz_88

Categories     Poultry

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 ounces bulk sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped celery
1 cup herb stuffing mix
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
salt and pepper, to taste
nonstick cooking spray

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F; spray baking pan with nonstick spray.
  • Remove and discard giblets.
  • Rinse and pat dry inside and out of the hens.
  • Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper; set aside.
  • In a medium skillet, cook and stir sausage over a medium heat until no longer pink.
  • Add the onion and celery.
  • Cook until tender, about five minutes.
  • Add stuffing mix, 1/3 cup of water, and 1/2 teaspoons of sage; mix well.
  • Spoon warm filling evenly into the inside of the hens.
  • Blend the 1/4 teaspoons of poultry seasoning with the butter.
  • Rub evenly over the hens.
  • Place the hens in a baking pan.
  • Roast for 1 hour 30 minutes or until no longer pink and thermometer says 180°F Let stand for five minutes before serving.
  • With a knife, split each hen length wise through the center of the breast and through the backbone, cutting just to one side of the backbone.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 129, Fat 10.8, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 38.7, Sodium 239.4, Carbohydrate 1.2, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.5, Protein 6.5

WILD RICE STUFFED CORNISH HENS



Wild Rice Stuffed Cornish Hens image

My mom prepares this impressive-looking entree for the holidays and for other "company's coming" occasions. The savory rice stuffing goes wonderfully with the moist golden hens and sweet apricot glaze. She is often asked for the recipe. -Becky Brunette, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

5-1/2 cups water, divided
2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup uncooked wild rice
1-1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1-1/2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
6 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1 jar (12 ounces) apricot preserves

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, bring 5 cups water, bouillon and salt to a boil. Add wild rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add long grain rice; cover and simmer 25-30 minutes longer or until rice is tender and water is absorbed., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Stir in rice mixture. Spoon about 3/4 cup stuffing into each hen. , Place remaining stuffing in a greased 2-qt. baking dish; cover and set aside. Place hens breast side up on a rack in shallow baking pan; tie drumsticks together. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes., In a small saucepan, bring preserves and remaining water to a boil. Pour over hens. Bake 25-35 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing, basting occasionally. Place baking dish of stuffing in the oven for the last 35-40 minutes of hens' baking time.

Nutrition Facts : Fat 118 g fat (34 g saturated fat), Cholesterol 770 mg cholesterol, Sodium 1,595 mg sodium, Carbohydrate 95 g carbohydrate, Fiber 3 g fiber, Protein 139 g protein.

Tips:

  • Prep the Cornish Hens: Rinse the hens inside and out, and pat dry. Season the cavity with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Truss the hens to keep the stuffing in place during roasting.
  • Make the Rice Stuffing: Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Sauté chopped vegetables like onions, celery, and carrots in butter. Combine the cooked rice, sautéed vegetables, herbs, and seasonings in a bowl. Stuff the hens loosely with the rice mixture.
  • Roast the Hens: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the stuffed hens breast-side up in a roasting dish. Brush the skin with melted butter or olive oil. Roast for about 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
  • Rest the Hens: Once roasted, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.

Conclusion:

Roasted Cornish hens with rice stuffing make for a delicious and elegant meal that is perfect for special occasions. With its crispy skin, tender meat, and flavorful stuffing, this dish is sure to impress your family and friends. The tips provided in this article will guide you through the process of preparing and roasting Cornish hens to perfection, ensuring a memorable dining experience. Whether you choose to serve them whole or carved, these roasted Cornish hens will be the star of your table. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a culinary masterpiece!

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