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Indulge in a gourmet meal for one with our Roasted Cornish Hen and vegetables recipe. Easy to make, it’s the perfect elegant dinner at home!
If you’re interested in gourmet meals for one, you might want to explore our recipes for Turkey Tenderloin, Smothered Pork Chops, and Coq au Vin!
For a complete meal, try a Cornish hen paired with a crisp Cucumber Salad or a basic green salad dressed in homemade vinaigrette. Add a slice of freshly-baked French Bread for the perfect finishing touch.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Discovering Cornish Hens: A Guide To This Delicious Single Serving Poultry
- Ingredients And Substitutions
- Recipe Variations
- Prepping A Cornish Hen For Cooking
- Cooking A Cornish Hen: A Simple Guide
- Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Roasted Cornish Hen Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: With a combination of lemon, garlic, and rosemary, the Cornish hen is infused with delightful flavors.
- Simple to Prepare: Despite its elegant appearance, this recipe is simple and easy.
- Perfect Portion: Scaled for one, this dish eliminates the guesswork of portioning.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and seasonings.
- Healthy Option: Packed with lean protein and nutritious vegetables.
Discovering Cornish Hens: A Guide To This Delicious Single Serving Poultry
Cornish hens, also known as Cornish game hens, are a type of chicken prized for their delicate flavor and perfect size for individual servings. These younger, smaller birds typically weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, making them ideal for roasting.
When it comes to finding Cornish hens, you’ll mostly find them in the frozen poultry section at most supermarkets. They’re also available at specialty butcher shops, and some stores offer them fresh. If you’re interested in organic or free-range options, look for specific labels or ask store staff for assistance
Ingredients And Substitutions
This section provides a quick rundown of the ingredients used in this Cornish hen recipe. For complete measurements and step-by-step instructions, please scroll to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
- Cornish Hen: The star of the dish, providing tender meat. No real substitute for this. A Cornish hen typically weighs between 1 to 2 pounds, making it ideal for one or two servings.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings; adjust according to taste.
- Lemon: Adds brightness; can be substituted with orange for a different citrus twist.
- Garlic: Provides depth; minced or powdered can be used.
- Rosemary: Offers a fragrant note; thyme or sage can be a substitute.
- Carrots and Red Potatoes: Nutrient-rich vegetables; can be replaced with parsnips or sweet potatoes. If you have leftover carrots and red potatoes, consider using them in our Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Chicken Stew, or Creamy Vegetable Soup.
- Olive Oil and Butter: Ensures a rich roast; margarine or other oils can be used.
Recipe Variations
Want to change things up? Consider these variations:
- Herb Variety: Experiment with different herbs like basil or tarragon.
- Add More Vegetables: Include green beans or Brussels sprouts.
- Spicy Twist: Add some chili flakes for a little heat.
Prepping A Cornish Hen For Cooking
- Thawing: If you purchase a frozen Cornish hen, it needs to be properly thawed. You can do this by placing it in the refrigerator for 24 hours, or for a quicker method, use the defrost setting on your microwave.
- Cleaning: Rinse the Cornish hen thoroughly under cold water and remove any giblets or excess fat from the cavity.
- Patting Dry: Use paper towels to pat the hen dry both inside and out. This helps the skin crisp up during roasting.
- Trimming: If needed, trim any excess skin or fat. You can also tuck the wing tips behind the body to prevent burning.
Cooking A Cornish Hen: A Simple Guide
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Preparing a Cornish hen is an easy and flavorful way to create a single serving or small batch meal. Follow these simple steps to cook a succulent Cornish hen:
- Prepare the Hen: Begin by seasoning the inside cavity of the Cornish hen with salt and pepper. Then, stuff it with a lemon wedge, garlic cloves, and rosemary to infuse it with rich flavors.
- Add Butter and Olive Oil: Lightly brush the top of the hen with a mixture of olive oil and butter. Sprinkle additional salt and pepper over the top for extra seasoning.
- Roast with Vegetables: Place the prepared hen on a bed of your favorite roasting vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, or onions) in the same pan. This will not only add flavor but also make it a complete meal in one dish.
By following these steps, you can create a mouthwatering Cornish hen that’s perfect for a cozy dinner for one or a small gathering.
Expert Tips
- Properly Season: Make sure to season the inside and outside of the hen for maximum flavor.
- Ensure Even Cooking: Cut vegetables to uniform sizes.
- Monitor Cooking Time: As sizes may vary, check the internal temperature to reach 165°F.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the hen to rest for a few minutes for juicier meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as the size and cooking time differ.
Yes, up to the roasting stage.
Yes, naturally gluten-free.
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:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
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 carrots , peeled and thickly chopped
- 2-3 small red skinned potatoes , scrubbed and quartered
- 1 teaspoon olive oil , divided
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
- Stuff the cavity of the hen with rosemary, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, the lemon wedge and the garlic cloves. Set aside.
- Arrange the carrots and potatoes in a small lightly oiled baking dish.
- Place the hen on top of the vegetables.
- Rub the olive oil over the top of the hen and drizzle over the vegetables.
- Sprinkle the remaining salt and pepper over the hen and the vegetables.
- Place the butter on top of the hen and bake for 25 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hen from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest for 15 minutes before carving or serving.
Notes
- Properly Season: Make sure to season the inside and outside of the hen for maximum flavor.
- Ensure Even Cooking: Cut vegetables to uniform sizes.
- Monitor Cooking Time: As sizes may vary, check the internal temperature to reach 165°F.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the hen to rest for a few minutes for juicier meat.
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.
This Cornish hen recipe is absolutely delicious! Mouthwatering. Come on sweetie we love them!
I would like to double check the carb count that is posted. It seems high to me. Is a cornish game hen really that many carbs more than regular chicken?
Hi Laurie,
You’re right, the carb count was off. It’s been changed and is reflected now in the recipe. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.
Have a wonderful week!
Joanie
Instead of carrots and potatoes, do you think I can place the hen over some previously cooked and frozen Thanksgiving stuffing?
I love roasting chicken in a bundt pan so much easier. Would you follow the same instructions
Hi Mary,
I have never roasted a hen this way. It’s super easy roasting the hen in a baking dish or roasting pan. Give it a try, you’ll be surprised.
Joanie
I don’t know why, but I haven’t had Cornish Game Hen in years. This recipe looks delicious and I love how it’s made in one pan which makes clean up a breeze. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to try this!
This is the cutest dish I’ve ever seen! haha! That cornish hen looks too good to eat but I’m sure its quite tasty!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
xoxo Barb
This looks insanely delicious. I love that you have such a wide variety of dishes for one. Thanks for posting.
I used to make cornish hens all the time. Now I don’t see them at the store as often. I’ll have to ask for them next time I’m there.
Seeing so many awesome food posts is dangerous, makes me want to go to the store then cook! Instead of being on my blog, now I want to cook! This looked amazing.
We love cornish hens and they make a great one pan dish meal.