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This is a picture of a small dutch oven with two roasted cornish hens.

Roasted Cornish Hens Recipe

Roasted Cornish Hens are juicy and tender with crispy, golden skin. Use an overnight brine or simple dry rub for an easy, impressive dinner.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 487kcal
Author: Ruth Truett

Equipment

  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • mixing bowl
  • measuring spoons
  • roasting pan

Ingredients

The Brine

  • ½ recipe of my turkey brine or your favorite saltwater brine (optional)

The Dry Rub

  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

The Hens

  • 2 whole Cornish hens
  • 1 lemon, cut into inch-wide slices
  • 1 med onion, cut into inch-wide slices
  • 1 head garlic, halved lengthwise
  • avocado oil
  • 4-5 sprigs thyme
  • 2-3 sprigs rosemary

Instructions

The Brine

  • Allow Cornish hens to brine in the fridge at least 12 hours or overnight. Discard brine and dry the birds well before roasting.

The Roasting

  • Preheat the oven to 425°.
  • Mix together the ingredients for the dry rub. Dry the hens well, inside and out with a paper towel. Season the hens. Add a couple springs of the thyme and rosemary to each cavity.
  • Drizzle the bottom of a roasting pan with avocado oil. Spread the lemon, onion, and garlic into a single layer to create a bed for the hens. Add the remaining thyme and rosemary springs to this layer.
  • Set the hens onto the lemon, onion, and garlic, breast-side up. With kitchen twine, tie the back legs together. This will ensure more even cooking.
  • Roast, uncovered, for about 50 minutes or until the the hens reach an internal temperature of 165°.
  • Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for at least 10 minutes.
  • Cut the hens in half, drizzle with the pan drippings, and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

If you don't want to make the dry rub, feel free to use your favorite all-purpose seasoning. 
Brining is optional, but highly recommended. I brine my Cornish hen for overnight. You can simply do this with a salt and water solution, or use something like my Turkey Brine. Doing this incredibly simple, 5-minute step will give you the very best Cornish hen ever.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 1304mg | Potassium: 672mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 21mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg
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