Cornish Game Hens

With their small size and tender texture, roasted Cornish game hens are a more elegant alternative to chicken. A roasted Cornish hen brings finesse to the dinner table, but is simple enough to be served as part of an everyday feast. They can be a welcome change from the classic Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, especially when roasted alongside Brussels sprouts and onions like in this recipe.

These pint-sized birds seem to soak up seasonings better than their larger counterparts, which makes them the ideal candidates for our herb-laced wet brine. Why brine? Brining infuses the meat with flavor and keeps it effortlessly succulent and juicy—exactly what we’re looking for when preparing delicate Cornish game hens. If you’re looking for a quicker dinner, skip the brine and go straight to the herb butter.

What are Cornish game hens?

Cornish game hens are basically just small broiler chickens. Unlike grouse or pheasant, Cornish game hens aren’t actually game birds. Originally they were a cross between the Cornish and Plymouth Rock chicken breeds. Today, the name Cornish game hen can apply to any breed as long as the birds are under five weeks old and weigh two pounds or less. They aren’t necessarily hens, either. Poulterers sell both male and female birds as game hens.

Compared to other types of chicken, Cornish hens are ultra-tender, with an unsurpassed ability to soak up marinades and rubs. They’re also more expensive by weight than regular chicken, which is why many people serve them on special occasions. Their diminutive size makes these birds ideal for a single serving, or you can chop them straight down the middle and pile plates with a selection of side dishes. A roasted Cornish hens also cooks much more quickly than your standard chicken.

Ingredients for Cornish Game Hens

• Salt: Chefs and seasoned home cooks agree that kosher salt is the best salt for brining. It dissolves effortlessly in this simple Cornish game hen brine. If you don’t have kosher salt, a non-iodized salt free of caking agents will do the trick.
• Herbs and spices: Pick up fresh herbs for your wet brine. We use a mixture of sage, rosemary, and thyme, plus garlic and peppercorns for a spicy bite.
• Water: There’s no wet brine without water! I prefer to use cold filtered water for brining.
• Sugar: Brown sugar introduces a whisper of sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor to the brine.
• Oven roasting bags: You aren’t roasting the hens in the bags; instead, you use them for the brine. Doubling up the roasting bags prevents the brine from leaking out, so the hens can soak up all the flavor.
• Cornish game hens: You’ll probably find Cornish game hens stocked in the poultry case or in the freezer section of your supermarket (just ask someone if you don’t see them). Keep the thawing time in mind when planning your meal.
• Herb butter: This fresh herb butter includes peppercorns, garlic, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Use softened butter and a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil so the herbed butter is easy to work with. If brining the hens, use unsalted butter for this recipe to keep the sodium in check.
• Vegetables: Nutritious Brussels sprouts and sweet red onions combine to make this Cornish game hen recipe a straightforward all-in-one dinner.

How to Make Cornish Game Hen Brine

TASTE OF HOME

To make the Cornish game hen brine, add the salt, brown sugar, peppercorns, sage, garlic, thyme, rosemary and 1 quart of water to a saucepan. Bring the brine to a boil. Cook and continue to stir the brine until the salt and sugar dissolve. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour in the cold water to cool the brine to room temperature.

Directions

Step 1: Brine the hens

TASTE OF HOME

Place a turkey-sized oven roasting bag inside a second roasting bag. Put the hens inside the bag. Carefully pour the cooled brine into the bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible. Tightly seal the bags, turn them over to coat the hens, and then set them in a roasting pan. Refrigerate for one to two hours, turning occasionally to ensure the hens are fully coated with brine. Drain and discard the brine, then pat the hens dry.

Step 2: Make the herb butter

TASTE OF HOME

As the Cornish game hens are brining, place the peppercorns and garlic in a food processor. Secure the lid and pulse until they’re coarsely chopped. Add the butter, 3 tablespoons olive oil and herbs, then cover and process until smooth.

Step 3: Rub the hens with butter

TASTE OF HOME

Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin from the hens. Rub half the butter mixture under the skin.

TASTE OF HOME

Secure the skin to the underside of the breast with toothpicks, then tie the drumsticks together.

TASTE OF HOME

Rub the remaining butter mixture over the skin.

Step 4: Roast the hens

TASTE OF HOME

In a 15x10x1-inch baking pan, toss the Brussels sprouts and onions with the remaining olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer.

TASTE OF HOME

Place the hens, breast side up, on top of the vegetables. Bake at 450°F until a thermometer inserted into the breast reads 165°, 35 to 40 minutes.

Test Kitchen Tip: While game hens should be cooked uncovered, you can loosely tent foil over them if they brown too quickly.

Step 5: Let the hens rest

Remove the baking pan from the oven, and transfer the hens and vegetables to a serving platter. Cover them with foil and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving the Cornish game hens. If desired, garnish with additional herbs.

Editor’s Tip: The pan juices are brimming with extra flavor. Don’t let them go to waste! Drizzle the jus over the hens, vegetables and sides.

TASTE OF HOME

Cornish Game Hen Variations

• Use a dry rub: Instead of wet brining and buttering the game hens, flavor the birds with your go-to dry rub recipe.
• Swap the veggies: We adore the nutty flavor of roasted Brussels sprouts, but not everyone is a fan. Root veggies like carrots, turnips and rutabagas are great alternatives to serve with roasted game hens, especially if you pick up heirloom carrots for a pop of color. Baking with squash or sweet potatoes adds some sweetness that works with these hens’ delicate flavor. Simple spuds will soak up the cooking juices nicely.
• Stuff the hens: Why wait until Thanksgiving to break out your favorite stuffing recipe? Stuffed Cornish hens a great excuse to enjoy it anytime.

How to Store Cornish Game Hens

Leave the game hens to cool, then wrap them tightly in tin foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Stow the hens in the fridge or pop them in the freezer.

How long do Cornish game hens last?

Cooked Cornish game hens can be refrigerated for three to four days, and can be frozen for up to four months. Uncooked Cornish game hens can be refrigerated for up to two days, and can be frozen for up to 12 months.

How do you reheat Cornish game hens?

To reheat Cornish game hens, set your oven to 350°. Pour about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of water into a baking dish to prevent the hens from drying out. Add the chicken, then cover the baking dish with foil. Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes until they’re warmed through.

Cornish Game Hens Tips

TASTE OF HOME

How do you make Cornish game hens without brine?

While brining adds flavor and keeps the meat tender, you don’t actually need to brine game hens before roasting them. Skip the brining and move straight on to spreading the herb butter. The butter will keep the birds from drying out while infusing the meat with its sublime creamy flavor.

Should Cornish game hens be rinsed before cooking?

According to the USDA, you should never wash your raw poultry before cooking it. Doing so may spread bacteria around your sink and countertop, which, if not properly cleaned, can make you ill.

What to drink with Cornish game hens?

Game hens have a mild flavor. While roasting the birds enhances their taste and the skin caramelizes in the oven, most of the flavor comes from the seasonings, so we look to our aromatic ingredients for guidance on wine pairings. The herbs bring a fresh, green layer to the dish, while the butter adds a creamy richness. The best wines for game hens harmonize bright, palate-cleansing acid, depth and complexity with complementary flavors. Our top picks are chenin blanc, viognier or a lightly oaked chardonnay for whites. Red lovers should try grenache, pinot noir or gamay. Feeling celebratory? Break out the bubbles.

What can you serve with Cornish game hens?

While they have a milder flavor, Cornish game hens can be treated like roast chicken or turkey when considering sides. A pile of roasted red potatoes or garlic and herb mashed potatoes, a fresh dinner roll or two, or heaping spoonfuls of herbed rice pilaf or pasta salad make excellent partners for your game hen entree.