Cornish hens make a wonderful departure from your normal chicken dishes ones of the many reasons we love them is because they make for the perfect individualized meals; they present beautifully and are full of flavor and charm! We decided to approach these birds in a pretty simplistic fashion: a little spiced herb rub and some white wine — does it get any easier? If you’re looking for a new dish to try around the holidays, or are just curious about how these flyers compare to other meat (very well, we think!), you should give them a try and see how they spruce up your normal cooking fare — you’ll love them!
Cornish Hens
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 4 Cornish game hens, giblets removed
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 sprigs rosemary
- 1 head garlic, peeled
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 425º F and place oven rack in middle position.
- Rinse hens and pat dry with paper towels. Season cavities generously with salt and pepper, then add 1 sprig rosemary in each.
- Season outside of hens with salt and pepper.
- In a medium bowl, combine paprika, oregano and olive oil, and whisk together.
- Place hens in a roasting pan and rub spice mixture all over them. Scatter garlic around hens.
- Place in oven and roast for 25 minutes. Pour white wine and chicken broth over the hens, then lower oven temperature to 350º F.
- Continue roasting for another 10-15 minutes, or until hens are a deep, golden brown and thickest part of thigh registers as 165º F with a meat thermometer.
- Remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes. Serve warm.
Optional: to make a gravy, transfer roasting pan to stove top (or pour off cooking liquids into a saucepan, making sure to scrape the roasting pans for all the drippings) and add 1-1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Cook until mixture reduces slightly, then add equal parts butter and flour to make a smooth, paste-like sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Recipe adapted from Woman’s Day