Herbed Cornish Hen

Delight your taste buds with this flavorful Herbed Cornish Hen recipe—perfect for an elegant dinner or a cozy night in. These tender, golden-brown hens are infused with the aromatics of fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley, as well as the zesty brightness of lemon and garlic. A paprika-spiced olive oil rub ensures a beautifully crisp skin, while melted butter and chicken broth keep the meat juicy and flavorful. Basting throughout roasting locks in moisture and enhances every bite with savory pan drippings. This easy-to-prepare dish, ready in just over an hour, is a showstopper when paired with roasted vegetables or your favorite sides. Treat your family or guests to a restaurant-worthy meal that’s as simple as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 whole Cornish hen
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 whole Garlic cloves
• 4 sprigs Fresh rosemary
• 6 sprigs Fresh thyme
• 3 tablespoons Fresh parsley
• 1 whole Lemon
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 tablespoons Butter
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 0.5 teaspoon Paprika

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels and set them aside on a clean surface.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, black pepper, and paprika to form a seasoning paste.

Step 4

Rub the seasoning mixture all over the hens, including inside the cavities.

Step 5

Slice the lemon in half. Place one half of the lemon and two garlic cloves into each hen's cavity, along with one sprig of rosemary and two sprigs of thyme.

Step 6

Spread the remaining olive oil over the bottom of a roasting pan, and place the hens breast-side up into the pan.

Step 7

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then mix in the chopped parsley. Brush the butter-parsley mixture generously over the hens.

Step 8

Add the chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan to keep the hens moist during cooking.

Step 9

Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the thigh.

Step 10

Every 15-20 minutes during roasting, baste the hens with the pan drippings to ensure a flavorful and crisp skin.

Step 11

Once cooked, remove the roasting pan from the oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Garnish with additional fresh parsley and thyme, if desired. Serve with roasted vegetables or your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1941.9 grams (1941.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2864

Total Fat 146.20g	187%
Saturated Fat 46.90g	234%
Polyunsaturated Fat 19.40g
Cholesterol 1707mg	569%
Sodium 10179mg	443%
Total Carbohydrate 15.40g	6%
Dietary Fiber 4.30g	15%
Total Sugars 2.70g
Protein 352.70g	705%

Vitamin D 69IU	345%
Calcium 320mg	25%
Iron 15mg	85%
Potassium 4248mg	90%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 47.2%

Protein: 50.6%

Carbs: 2.2%