Tasty Tarragon Cornish Game Hens

Transform your dinner table into a gourmet experience with these Tasty Tarragon Cornish Game Hens, a recipe bursting with bold flavors and elegant simplicity. Perfectly roasted to golden perfection, these tender game hens are infused with a fragrant tarragon-garlic butter rub that seeps into every bite. A splash of chicken broth, optional dry white wine, and a bed of caramelized shallots keep the birds irresistibly moist as they roast. Stuffed with fresh lemon halves for a subtle citrusy brightness and basted in their own flavorful juices, this dish is a showstopper ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Easy to prepare with just 15 minutes of prep time, these hens are best served with the rich pan juices drizzled over the top and accompanied by your favorite sides, creating a meal that's as comforting as it is impressive.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Cornish game hens
• 4 tablespoons Fresh tarragon
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 piece Lemon
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1.5 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 0.5 cup Dry white wine (optional)
• 2 pieces Shallots, thinly sliced

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Rinse the Cornish game hens inside and out, then pat them dry with paper towels.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh tarragon, olive oil, softened butter, minced garlic, salt, and ground black pepper to form a paste.

Step 4

Rub the tarragon mixture generously over the hens, including under the skin for added flavor.

Step 5

Cut the lemon in half and stuff each hen with half a lemon along with a sprig of fresh tarragon.

Step 6

Place the hens in a roasting pan or oven-safe dish, breast side up.

Step 7

Scatter the sliced shallots around the hens in the roasting pan.

Step 8

Pour the chicken broth and optional white wine into the bottom of the pan to keep the hens moist during roasting.

Step 9

Roast the hens in the oven for 50–60 minutes, basting them occasionally with the pan juices, until the skin is golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).

Step 10

Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Step 11

Serve the hens whole or split in half, drizzled with the pan juices, alongside your favorite side dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1538.1 grams (1538.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2759

Total Fat 175.80g	225%
Saturated Fat 51.30g	257%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 862mg	287%
Sodium 5995mg	261%
Total Carbohydrate 19.60g	7%
Dietary Fiber 3.90g	14%
Total Sugars 5.50g
Protein 236.70g	473%

Vitamin D 100IU	500%
Calcium 292mg	22%
Iron 17mg	93%
Potassium 2897mg	62%

*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: 60.7%

Protein: 36.3%

Carbs: 3.0%