Each person will still get a perfectly delicious chicken breast and leg. For a quick variation of the Italian seasoning, simply mix ¼ teaspoon each of dried thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano, and you’re good to go! Although the flavor is similar to that of a regular chicken, Cornish hens are smaller, weighing in at under two pounds . Rinse the hens well, inside and out, under cool running water. Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life?
So make sure you keep your fire source going in case you need to add more coals while cooking. When you’re starting, make sure the hens are thawed out all the way. We’ve got four of them which will serve eight people unless you’ve got some really hungry folks.
Divide the stuffing into four portions and stuff each hen with some sausage. In a large, oven-proof pan, heat the butter until hot, then add the hen, breast side down. Brown the breasts for 5 minutes, then flip onto their backs and baste well with the butter.
Roast Chicken With Tomatoes
Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges. You are looking for the hens to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before they are safe to eat. You can use a in-oven meat thermometer that you can keep an eye on while its cooking.
- Stir vegetables and arrange hens, breast sides up, on top.
- The intense, aromatic flavor of cooked garlic is so delicious.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over hens.
I’m so pleased that you tried the Cornish hens for Thanksgiving! I’ve always thought they were a great choice for entertaining. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed them.
Juice is best fresh and spritzed at the end for an acidic brightening, while zest is used in the baste for full, robust lemon flavor. Divide the broth between the bowls, top with the fried shallots and fresh cilantro, and serve with the shallot-y dipping sauce. Place the rice in a sieve and run it under the tap for a few seconds to rinse off some of the excess starch. Transfer to a small bowl and cover with water. Let soak for 10 minutes, then drain the rice in the sieve. You can then serve the rice separately alongside, stuff it back into the hens or just divide it up between two big bowls along with the hens and the broth.
What is a Cornish Game Hen?
With birds smaller than 2lbs, the cooking time will be less, check the internal temperature with an instant meat thermometer. Rock cornish game hens thaw much more quickly than a regular chicken because of the size. To ensure the skin will Cookinggames. brown and crisp, it’s best to cook Cornish game hens uncovered. If they brown too quickly, lightly tent them with a sheet of aluminum foil towards the end of the cooking time. After the hens have been roasting for 25 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
Because of its small size, the game hen cooks through more quickly than a standard chicken. This actually makes it easier to achieve crispy skin and properly cooked meat simultaneously. And the fatty skin naturally bastes the meat, keeping it moist as it cooks.