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a roasted cornish hen on a bed of carrots in a small baking dish.
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5 from 6 votes

Roasted Cornish Hen

Roast a tender, flavorful Cornish hen paired with perfectly seasoned carrots and potatoes. This easy, one-pan recipe is ideal for a hearty, single serving meal.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American, British
Diet: Low Carb, Gluten Free
Keyword: baked cornish hen, cornish game hen, cornish hen, cornish hen and vegetables, hen, roasted cornish hen
Servings: 1 hen
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

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 thickly chopped
  • 2-3 small red skinned potatoes -scrubbed and quartered
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Stuff the Hen: Fill the cavity of the Cornish hen with the rosemary, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ⅛ teaspoon of pepper, the lemon wedge, and garlic cloves. Set the hen aside.
  • Prepare the Vegetables: Lightly oil a medium baking dish and arrange the carrots and potatoes in an even layer.
  • Add the Hen: Place the stuffed hen on top of the vegetables.
  • Season and Add Butter: Rub the olive oil over the top of the hen and over the vegetables. Sprinkle the remaining salt and pepper evenly over the hen and the vegetables. Place the butter on top of the hen.
  • Start Roasting: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  • Adjust Temperature: Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 30-35 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F and the juices run clear.
  • Rest the Hen: Remove the hen from the oven, loosely tent it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving or serving.

Notes

  • Season Generously: Don’t forget to season both the inside and outside of the Cornish hen to enhance its flavor throughout.
  • Cut Vegetables Evenly: Chop your vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure they cook evenly alongside the hen.
  • Check the Temperature: Since Cornish hens can vary in size, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for perfectly cooked meat.
  • Let It Rest: Allow the hen to rest for a few minutes after roasting. This helps the juices redistribute, making the meat tender and juicy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1hen | Calories: 842kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 58g | Fat: 62g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 27g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 367mg | Sodium: 1418mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 21218IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 4mg

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