Pineapple-Stuffed Cornish Hens

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour 25 min.
Yield 2 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
My mother brought this recipe back with her from Hawaii about 25 years ago. The tender meat, pineapple-coconut stuffing and sweet-sour sauce made it a favorite of my family and friends. I keep copies of the recipe on hand to share. —Vicki Corners, Rock Island, Illinois

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
  • 3 cups cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes), crusts removed
  • 1 celery rib, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2/3 cup butter, melted, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons steak sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt inside hens; set aside. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, bread cubes, celery and coconut. Add 1/3 cup butter; toss to coat. Loosely stuff hens with mixture.
  2. Tuck wings under hens; tie legs together. Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan. Place remaining stuffing in a greased 1-1/2-cup baking dish; cover and set aside. Add poultry seasoning and remaining salt to remaining butter.
  3. Spoon some butter mixture over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes, basting twice with butter mixture.
  4. Add steak sauce and reserved pineapple juice to any remaining butter mixture; baste hens. Bake reserved stuffing with hens for 30 minutes, basting hens occasionally with remaining butter mixture.
  5. Uncover stuffing; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 185° for hens and 165° for stuffing in hens. Remove hens from pan; keep warm.
  6. Pour drippings into a saucepan; skim fat. Combine cornstarch, brown sugar, water and lemon juice; add to the drippings. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with hens and stuffing.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed hen: 1343 calories, 82g fat (48g saturated fat), 465mg cholesterol, 2034mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 4g fiber), 72g protein.

My mother brought this recipe back with her from Hawaii about 25 years ago. The tender meat, pineapple-coconut stuffing and sweet-sour sauce made it a favorite of my family and friends. I keep copies of the recipe on hand to share. —Vicki Corners, Rock Island, Illinois
Recipe Creator

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