Description
This Stuffed Cornish Game Hens recipe features tender and juicy hens filled with a flavorful herb and bread or rice stuffing. Roasted to perfection with butter, fresh herbs, and lemon slices, this dish delivers a comforting and elegant meal suitable for special occasions or a delightful family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Game Hens
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 lemon, sliced
Stuffing
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup bread cubes or 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Prepare Stuffing: Stir in the bread cubes or cooked rice, fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Cook the mixture gently until moist but not soggy, allowing flavors to combine. Remove from heat and let the stuffing cool.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Hens: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels.
- Butter Under Skin: Carefully separate the skin from the breast meat of each hen. Insert some butter along with chopped herbs underneath the skin for added moisture and flavor.
- Stuff the Hens: Fill the cavity of each hen with the cooled herb stuffing. Secure the legs with kitchen twine to hold the stuffing in place during roasting.
- Season Hens: Rub the olive oil evenly all over the hens. Season the skin with salt, pepper, and additional herbs as desired. Place lemon slices on top or inside the hens for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Roast: Place the hens on a rack inside a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, occasionally basting with pan juices. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) when done.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use bread cubes for a traditional stuffing texture or cooked rice for a gluten-free option.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Resting the hens allows the juices to settle, resulting in a juicier bird.
- Kitchen twine helps keep stuffing in place and maintains the shape of the hens during roasting.
- Fresh herbs can be substituted or supplemented with dried herbs if needed, adjusting quantities accordingly.
