Cornish Game Hens
Cornish Game Hens are tender, flavorful miniature chickens roasted over red potatoes and onions, infused with lemon, garlic, and rosemary both inside and out. This elegant yet simple dish makes a stunning presentation and is perfect for special dinners, serve warm with roasted veggies and fresh rosemary for a rustic, savory meal.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 Pound (5-6 medium) Red potatoes, rinsed and quartered
- 2 Small yellow onions, quartered
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- ½ Tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ Tsp Black pepper
Game Hens
- 1 Large lemon, cut in half lengthwise, divided
- 2 Cornish game hens, 1½ pounds each
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Tsp Garlic, minced
- 1 Tsp Fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 Tsp Kosher salt
- ½ Tsp Black pepper
Cavity Fillings
- 4 Sprigs fresh rosemary, divided
- 1 Head garlic, paper removed (about 8-10 cloves), divided
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Turn the oven on to 425°F.
Vegetables
- Put the potatoes and onions in a big skillet that is safe to cook in the oven. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil. Toss to coat.
Game Hens
- Slice the lemon lengthwise in half. Use roughly a tablespoon of lemon juice, or ½ of the lemon, for the oil mixture. To fit into the game chickens' cavities, cut the second half of the lemon into four lengthwise wedges.
- Arrange the game chickens over the vegetables, breast side up.
- Put the oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Apply this mixture both inside and outside the birds' cavities.
- Place around four garlic cloves, two lemon slices, and two fresh rosemary sprigs inside each hen's cavity.
- Tie the drumsticks together with cooking twine and tuck the tips of the wings beneath the hen to avoid scorching.
- The potatoes should be fork-tender and the game hens should be golden brown after 50 to 60 minutes of roasting in a preheated oven that has been set to 165°F.
- Tent the hens with foil after transferring them to a serving plate. Before carving, let it rest for ten minutes.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh rosemary.
