Description
Juicy, golden, and packed with herbaceous lemon-garlic flavor, this roasted Cornish hen recipe is a total game changer for any dinner table. It brings that same comforting, celebratory energy of a whole roasted chicken but in a fraction of the time—and with extra elegance. Whether you’re craving quick dinner ideas, hosting a romantic easy dinner, or need new food ideas for a healthy snack or impressive dinner recipe, this one ticks every box.
Ingredients
2 Cornish game hens (about 1 to 1.5 pounds each)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon, cut into wedges
2 sprigs fresh rosemary (for stuffing)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Kitchen twine (for trussing)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Pat the Cornish hens completely dry using paper towels.
2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter with minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and pepper to form an herbed butter mixture.
3. Gently loosen the skin over the breast of each hen. Rub half the butter mixture under the skin and the remaining butter all over the outside.
4. Drizzle the hens with olive oil, and season with additional salt and pepper.
5. Stuff each hen with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to secure.
6. Place the hens breast-side up in a roasting pan or oven-safe skillet. Roast for 45–55 minutes, or until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Optionally baste the hens with pan juices once or twice during roasting.
8. Remove from oven and rest for 10 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
Dry the skin thoroughly before seasoning—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking; 165°F is the sweet spot.
Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth to the pan for a simple built-in sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hen
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 56g
- Cholesterol: 220mg
Keywords: Cornish hen, roasted chicken, elegant dinner, lemon herb, easy dinner recipe