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Learn to make a simple Cornish game hen recipe that is perfectly seasoned and oven-roasted for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
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When I was a kid, I had one of those really cool dads who cooked.
No, not bagel bites and ramen, but really cooked.
Fancy things like lamb chops, duck, and Cornish game hens.
Not every night, of course, that would be ridiculous. My mom cooked most of our day-to-day meals, but when dad had a minute, he cooked something memorable.
We went through a phase of trying Cornish game hen recipes at home. I didn’t realize everyone on the block wasn’t eating cornish game hens. All I knew was sometimes I had an entire bird sitting on my plate, and it made me feel extra fancy.
Eventually, we moved on from Cornish game hens, and I didn’t think about them for years.
Then, while looking for a whole chicken at the grocery store last week, I couldn’t find what I wanted. There were no whole chickens to be found. But lo and behold, there were Cornish game hens.
Someone else might have breezed right past the tiny birds and said, “Those are too fancy. I just need a chicken.” But not me. I knew that the little hens were basically the same as regular chickens, just… smaller.
Fancier.
Naturally, I took them home, developed my own Cornish game hen recipe, and rushed over to type it up for you guys. Let me tell you all about it.
What Is a Cornish Game Hen?
Before you panic that I’m about to drag you down the rabbit hole of fancy French cooking again, take a deep breath.
A Cornish game hen is just a young, small chicken harvested early, typically weighing between 1 and 1½ pounds. Despite the name, it’s not a game bird. It’s just a smaller variety of chicken.
Because of their smaller size, Cornish hens cook faster than whole chickens and are ideal for individual servings. This makes them perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or anytime you want a fancy presentation without extra work. In this Cornish game hen recipe, the hens roast beautifully in about an hour, making them surprisingly practical for weeknights as well.
Why You’ll Love This Cornish Game Hen Recipe
- This Cornish game hen recipe uses simple pantry spices and fresh herbs for big flavor.
- The hens roast in about one hour, making it manageable for busy evenings.
- Roasting at high heat creates juicy meat with beautifully golden skin.
- The vegetables cook in the same pan, absorbing flavor from the hens.
- Each person gets their own perfectly portioned bird, making it feel special with minimal effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Cornish game hen recipe, you’ll need just a few simple, wholesome ingredients that require little to no fuss:
- Cornish game hens – Two hens, about 1–1½ pounds each. The hens I bought came in a two-pack, so be on the lookout for that!
- Olive oil or softened butter – Helps crisp the skin and carry seasoning under the surface.
- Garlic powder – Adds deep savory flavor.
- Onion powder – Balances and enhances the garlic.
- Salt and black pepper – Essential for bringing out the natural flavor of the hens.
- Fresh thyme sprigs – Adds classic herb flavor while roasting.
- Onion – Cut into chunks to form the vegetable base.
- Carrots – Add sweetness and texture to the roasting pan.
- Water – Enough to cover the vegetables so they soften and create a flavorful base.
How to Make This Cornish Game Hen Recipe (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Step 2: Prepare the hens. Pat the Cornish game hens completely dry with paper towels. Dry skin is essential for achieving crispy results in this Cornish game hen recipe.
Step 3: Make the seasoning mixture. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil (or softened butter), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until fully blended.
Step 4: Season under the skin. Gently loosen the skin over the breasts and thighs. Rub most of the seasoning mixture underneath the skin, then spread the remaining mixture evenly over the outside of the birds.
Step 5: Prepare the vegetables. Layer the chopped onion, garlic, and carrots evenly in the bottom of a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Add the fresh thyme sprigs on top of the vegetables.
Step 6: Assemble the pan. Place the seasoned hens on top of the vegetables, positioning them breast-side up for even browning.
Step 7: Add liquid. Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables without submerging the hens. This allows the vegetables to soften while the hens roast above them.
Step 8: Roast the hens. Roast uncovered for 50–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Step 9: Broil for crispier skin (optional). For extra crispy skin, broil the hens for 3–5 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Step 10: Rest before serving. Allow the hens to rest for 10 minutes before serving so the juices can redistribute and keep the meat tender.
Tips for the Best Cornish Game Hen Recipe
- Pat the hens very dry before seasoning to encourage browning.
- Use enough salt to properly season the meat.
- Make sure the hens sit above the liquid, not submerged in it or else they will steam instead of crisp,.
- Broil briefly at the end if you prefer extra crispy skin.
- Let the hens rest before cutting to keep the meat juicy.
What to Serve with this Cornish Game Hen Recipe
This Cornish game hen recipe pairs well with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Wild rice or herb rice
- Roasted green beans
- Sourdough dinner rolls
- A fresh garden salad
- You can also use shredded Cornish game hens in enchiladas or chicken salad!
- Save the bones for homemade bone broth
How to Store & Reheat Cornish Game Hens
Store leftover Cornish game hen in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
To reheat, place the meat in a covered baking dish and warm at 325°F until heated through. You can also shred leftover meat to use in soups, casseroles, or chicken and dumplings.
FAQs
How long does it take to cook a Cornish game hen at 400°F?
A Cornish game hen typically takes 50–60 minutes at 400°F, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
Should Cornish game hens be covered while roasting?
For this Cornish game hen recipe, roast uncovered to allow the skin to brown properly.
Are Cornish game hens just small chickens?
Yes. Cornish game hens are young chickens harvested early, which gives them their smaller size and tender meat.
Cornish Game Hen Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Dutch oven or raosting pan
Ingredients
- 2 small cornish game hens (about 1-1/2 pounds each)
- 3 tbs olive oil or softened butter
- 3 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 onion, cut into 1 inch chunks
- 5 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1-1 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and hens: Preheat the oven to 400°F and pat the Cornish game hens completely dry with paper towels.
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, combine olive oil (or softened butter), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Season the hens: Gently loosen the skin over the breast and thighs. Rub most of the seasoning mixture underneath the skin, then rub the remaining mixture over the outside of the birds.
- Prepare the vegetables: Layer the onion chunks, smashed garlic, and carrot pieces in the bottom of a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Add the fresh thyme sprigs.
- Add hens: Place the seasoned hens on top of the vegetables.
- Add water: Pour in enough water to cover the vegetables without submerging the hens.
- Roast uncovered for 50–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Optional (for crispier skin): Broil for 3–5 minutes at the end of cooking until the skin is golden brown.
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
You’re going to Love Cornish Game Hens
Whether this is your first time making a Cornish game hen recipe or you’re looking for a blast from the past, I think you’re going to love this recipe. Especially if you, like me, like to feel fancy without any extra effort. Eat the roasted hens as is with the veggies or stir them into soup or a casserole for an easy dinner the whole family will love. Make sure you save the bones for homemade bone broth!
