Perfect Oven Roasted Baked Cornish Hens Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I cover Cornish hens when baking? ›

Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.

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.

Roast until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh not touching bone, about 40 minutes. Step 3: Rest. Allow the hens to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Roasting Cornish hens on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet also helps elevate the birds so that the thighs cook as quickly as the breasts.

Wrapping these Cornish hens in foil makes them juicy. Finishing them on the grill makes them crispy. Doing both makes this a real barbecue treat!

Do not rinse the skin or cavity of the bird, as doing so may spread bacteria in the sink and on the countertop. Once defrosted, remove bird from packaging and pat dry with a paper towel. Remove giblet bag from cavity and reserve for making sauces, etc.

Lay a wire rack in the bottom of a big roasting pan and place 6 Cornish game hens on it. If you don't have a wire rack that fits the pan, bunch up a few pieces of aluminum foil and place these on the bottom of the pan. You can easily cut this recipe in half or a third if you only want to make 2 or 3 hens.

The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution.

You'll need a pan in which to roast the chicken. A roasting pan with a rack is nice, particularly one with upright handles, which is easy to move around in the oven. But a rimmed sheet pan or oven-proof skillet (like cast-iron) works just as well.

Casserole Dish – A large casserole dish can be a reliable alternative to your standard roaster, just make sure your casserole dish is designed to withstand high temperatures for long periods of time.

What is the difference between baking and roasting tray? ›

A baking pan is typically shallow with straight sides and is designed for baking items like cakes, cookies, and casseroles in an oven. A roasting pan, on the other hand, has lower sides and often comes with a roasting rack.

Roast in a 425 degrees F heated oven for 1 hour (or until the hens are cooked through and juices run clean), basting every 15 minutes with the broth. If you have a cooking thermometer, cooked Cornish hens will have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Allow the Cornish game hens to rest before serving.

Trussing Cornish hens, or any poultry, is never required. But, doing so ensures your bird cooks evenly without drying out.

Gas range at 350° F: Took 75 minutes; the exterior was evenly browned, and the hen was very juicy inside. Microwave convection at 350° F: Took 60 minutes; the exterior was browned, and the inside was juicy. Microwave power convection at 400° F: Took 50 minutes, with results similar to those of regular convection.