RecipeStripper

Clean recipe · staysnatched.com

Baked Cornish Hens Recipe

Chile, why wrestle with a whole turkey when these mini birds do the same job without all the drama? Cornish hens are my go-to when I want dinner that feels dressed up but doesn’t leave me sweating over the oven. You’ll get that crispy skin, juicy inside, and all the “wow” factor at the table, without waiting hours. Coming from someone who’s been cooking Southern classics since I could hold a skillet, just know this recipe works and your hens won’t ever come out dry or bland.

Original recipe: staysnatched.com

Yield:
4 servings
Prep:
15 min
Cook:
60 min
Total:
75 min
Open cooking tools

Adjust servings, check off ingredients, and save a copy in the recipe reader.

Baked Cornish Hens Recipe

Ingredients

  1. 4 Cornish hens
  2. 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
  3. 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  4. 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  5. 1 teaspoon ground thyme
  6. 1 teaspoon ground rosemary
  7. 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  8. salt and pepper to taste
  9. 1-2 cups chicken broth or water

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Drizzle olive oil all over the Cornish hens, then sprinkle your spice mix like you mean it. Rub it in on both sides. Nobody likes a bland bird. Add a little more seasoning if you think they need it.
  3. Place your seasoned hens in a roasting pan or baking dish, giving them a little breathing room so they roast instead of steam.
  4. Pour chicken broth or water into the bottom of the pan (around the hens, not on top of them) to keep them juicy while they cook. Don’t mess up that pretty seasoning rub.
  5. Roast the hens for 45–60 minutes, or until a meat thermometer hits 165°F in the thickest part. Skin should be golden and crisp, meat tender and juicy.
  6. Take them out and let them chill for a few minutes before cutting in. That quick rest lets the juices settle so every bite is flavorful and moist.