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This roasted Cornish hen is seasoned with lemon, garlic, and rosemary, then baked until juicy inside with crispy golden skin. An elegant, perfectly portioned meal for one.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredible Flavor: Lemon, garlic, and rosemary infuse the meat with rich flavor, while the skin roasts until golden and crispy.
- Elegant Yet Easy: A beautiful dish for holidays, date night, or dinner parties. Roast one hen for yourself, two for a romantic dinner, or more when entertaining, all with the same simple preparation.
- Perfectly Portioned: One Cornish hen is just the right size for a single serving, so there’s no waste or complicated portioning.
- Customizable: Swap the vegetables or try different herbs and spices to change up the flavor.
- Nutritious & Balanced: A wholesome dinner with lean protein and roasted vegetables in one pan.
I love cooking Cornish hens because they feel special without being complicated. These small chickens, often sold as Cornish game hens, are tender and perfectly sized for one person. Each hen usually weighs between 1 and 2 pounds, which makes them ideal for roasting as a single serving or for sharing with someone else.
You can usually find them in the frozen poultry section, though some stores and butchers carry them fresh. When I see them, I always think of them as a simple way to enjoy an elegant meal at home.
Pair your roasted Cornish hen with a fresh green salad and a light vinaigrette, then add a small loaf of French bread to soak up pan juices. Finish the meal with a mini Dutch apple pie for a sweet, spiced dessert.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Cornish hen recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Cornish Hen: A small bird weighing 1 to 2 pounds, tender and flavorful, ideal for one or two servings.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the overall flavor.
- Lemon: Adds bright citrus notes. Use orange instead for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Garlic: Provides depth and a savory base. Fresh minced is best, though garlic powder can be used.
- Rosemary: Offers a fragrant, earthy taste. Thyme or sage work as substitutes.
- Carrots and Red Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that roast well alongside the hen. Try parsnips or sweet potatoes as alternatives. Extra carrots and potatoes can be used in a mini slow cooker pot roast, chicken stew for one, or creamy vegetable soup for one.
- Olive Oil and Butter: Add richness and help the skin roast to a golden finish.
Recipe Variations
Cornish hens are easy to customize with different flavors. Try these popular variations:
- Herb-Crusted Cornish Hen: Rub softened butter mixed with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley under the skin for a juicy, flavorful roast with crispy golden skin.
- Citrus-Glazed Cornish Hen: Brush on a glaze of orange juice, honey, and cayenne during the last 15 minutes of roasting for a sweet and tangy finish.
- Spiced Cornish Hen: Add smoked paprika and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a warm, slightly smoky flavor.
How To Prep A Cornish Hen
- Thawing: If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours. For faster thawing, use the microwave’s defrost setting, checking often for even thawing.
- Cleaning: Remove giblets or excess fat from the cavity.
- Pat Dry: Blot the hen inside and out with paper towels. Dry skin roasts up golden and crispy.
- Trim and Tuck: Trim any excess fat or skin. Tuck the wing tips under the body to keep them from burning.
How To Cook A Cornish Hen
For exact ingredient measurements and full details, see the recipe card below.
- Prep: Pat the hen dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Season the Cavity: Sprinkle salt and pepper inside the hen, then add a lemon wedge, garlic cloves, and rosemary for flavor.
- Butter and Oil Coating: Brush the skin with melted butter and olive oil, then season with more salt and pepper.
- Prep the Vegetables: Arrange carrots, potatoes, or onions in a roasting pan. Place the hen on top to create a flavorful one-pan meal.
- Roast to Perfection: Bake in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven for 25 minutes. Lower the heat to 350°F (175°C) and continue roasting 30–35 minutes, or until the thigh reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Rest the Hen: Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest 15 minutes before carving or serving.
Expert Tips
- Pat Dry First: Blot the hen with paper towels before seasoning for crispier skin.
- Butter Under the Skin: Consider slipping a little softened butter under the skin before roasting for extra juicy meat and golden, crispy skin.
- Season Inside and Out: Add salt, pepper, and aromatics both in the cavity and on the skin for full flavor.
- Cut Vegetables Evenly: Chop vegetables into similar sizes so they roast at the same rate.
- Check Doneness with a Thermometer: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Rest Before Carving: Let the hen rest under foil for 10–15 minutes to lock in juices.
Frequently Asked Questions
One Cornish hen typically serves one person. For date night or small gatherings, plan on one hen per person.
Yes, thawing is recommended for even cooking. Place in the refrigerator for about 24 hours or use the microwave’s defrost setting, checking frequently.
The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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RELATED: Easy Comfort Food Recipes For One
Roasted Cornish Hen
Equipment
- 9.5-inch oval baking dish or a similarly sized baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 Cornish game hen -patted dry with a paper towel
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt -divided
- ¼ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper -divided
- 1 wedge lemon
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 medium carrots -peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2-3 small red skinned potatoes -scrubbed and quartered
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the Cornish hen dry inside and out with paper towels.
- Season the cavity with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon pepper, then stuff with rosemary, a lemon wedge, and garlic cloves.
- Lightly oil a medium baking dish and spread the carrots and potatoes in an even layer.
- Place the hen on top of the vegetables. Rub olive oil over the hen and vegetables, then sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Place the butter on top of the hen.
- Roast for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking 30–35 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 165°F and juices run clear.
- Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 15 minutes before carving or serving.
Notes
- Pat Dry First: Blot the hen with paper towels before seasoning for crispier skin.
- Butter Under the Skin: Consider slipping a little softened butter under the skin before roasting for extra juicy meat and golden, crispy skin.
- Season Inside and Out: Add salt, pepper, and aromatics both in the cavity and on the skin for full flavor.
- Cut Vegetables Evenly: Chop vegetables into similar sizes so they roast at the same rate.
- Check Doneness with a Thermometer: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, it should read 165°F (74°C).
- Rest Before Carving: Let the hen rest under foil for 10–15 minutes to lock in juices.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I boil the carrots with water for 10 minutes so they are soft when put with the chicken
Excellence👌
Hello, I want to cook just the Cornish hen; I’m going to make different / separate veggies. How should I go about just cooking the bird – time and temp?
Thank you!
Great to hear you’re planning to cook the Cornish hen! You can follow the same time and temperature guidelines as indicated in the recipe, even if you’re preparing the veggies separately. This will ensure your Cornish hen is cooked perfectly. Enjoy your meal, and let us know how it turns out!