Best Cornish Game Hen Recipes

HICKORY SMOKED CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• Whisk together the dry rub, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Season the washed and dried game hens with the rub and arrange on a sheet tray. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add butter to melt. Once melted, add the shallots and saute until tender. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the chicken broth and orange juice. Bring to a simmer and let reduce down to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. It will easily coat the back of a spoon and be slightly syrupy. Once reduced add the apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. Taste for seasoning.
• Prepare your grill/smoker for indirect heat with charcoal and hickory chips. Maintain your temperature at 275 degrees F.
• Arrange the game hens on the grill and cover. Smoke for 40 minutes. Remove the cover and brush the hens with the glaze, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Cover the grill and smoke for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the hens from the grill, to a serving platter and let rest, covered with foil for 15 minutes before serving.

CROCK POT ROSEMARY CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• 1. Sprinkle bottom of Crock Pot with half the salt and pepper. Then drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil over the bottom of the pot. Rough chop the onion and spread over the bottom of the pot.
• 2. Place frozen Cornish game hen on top of the onions. Drizzle the remaining Tbsp of olive oil on the bird. Rough chop the garlic and place half on top of the bird and the rest, let fall in the pot. Season the bird with salt, pepper, and garlic & onion seasoning. Top the bird with dried or fresh rosemary.
• 3. Add a 1/4 cup of water or white wine to the pot. Cook on low heat setting for 6 hours or until the legs begin to fall away from body.
• 4. To serve, cut the bird down the middle. Optional: Carefully remove the hen from the slow cooker and transfer to a small baking dish. Place in a 450 degree oven just until skin is crispy and golden brown.
• 5. Cook 2 hens at a time for a larger family dinner or substitute a whole chicken. Just make sure to increase the cooking time to allow for the larger bird.

CORNISH GAME HEN: SPATCHCOCK HEN

Steps:

• Preheat a panini press on high.
• Place the game hen breast side down on a cutting board. Using scissors or poultry shears, cut from the neck to the tailbone to remove the backbone. Once you remove the backbone you will be able to see the inside of the bird. Make a small slit in the cartilage at the base of the breastbone to reveal the keel bone. Grab the bird with both hands on the ribs and open up like a book, facing down towards the cutting board. Remove the keel bone. Cut small slits in the skin of the bird behind the legs and tuck the drumsticks into them in order to hold them in place. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Spray the bottom of the panini press with the nonstick cooking spray. Place the bird, skin side up onto the press, pray the skin side with non-stick cooking spray and close the lid. Top the press with a 10-pound weight and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.
• Allow to rest 3 minutes before serving.

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HEN WITH MUSTARD GLAZE

Steps:

• Remove the backbone from the hen with poultry shears or a sharp knife, place the hen, skin side up, on a work surface, and press down the breastbone to flatten the hen.
• In an ovenproof skillet roast the hen, skin side up, in a preheated 450°F oven for 10 minutes.
• While the hen is roasting, in a small bowl whisk together the oil, the mustard, rosemary, the garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the hen from the oven, spread the mustard mixture over the skin, and roast the hen for 15 minutes.
• Transfer the hen to a preheated broiler and broil it about 4 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes. Now put the mustard seed in with the mustard mixture and broil for 2-3 more minutes(this is so the mustard seeds won't burn).
• Transfer the hen to a platter and keep it warm.
• To the skillet add the wine and boil the mixture over high heat until it is reduced by half. Add the broth, boil the mixture for 1 minute, scraping up and brown bits, and add any juices that have accumulated on the platter. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve onto 2 plates. Cut the hen in half with a sharp knife, and arrange each half on top of the sauce.
• Serve and enjoy!

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH RASPBERRY-RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F. Sprinkle hen halves with thyme, salt and pepper. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add hen halves, skin side down, and cook until brown, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer hen halves to baking sheet (do not clean skillet). Roast until juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet. Add shallots and sauté over medium heat until soft, about 3 minutes. Add broth, wine, raspberries, 2 teaspoons sugar and allspice. Boil until sauce thickens enough to coat spoon, scraping up browned bits and crushing raspberries, about 12 minutes. Strain wine sauce into small bowl. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; add more sugar, if desired. Serve hen halves with sauce.

CROCKPOT CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• 1. Mix seasonings, BBQ sauce and honey mustard. Place frozen cornish game hen(s) in crockpot or slow cooker. Brush BBQ mixture over all game hen. Cook on low for about 4 - 5 hours, or until tender. Brush with more BBQ sauce at the end of cooking. This is enough sauce for 2 game hens, if you choose to cook that many. Place under oven broiler for a few minutes, if desired. Variations: Use only salt and pepper on game hen; cover well with lemon pepper; use cajun seasoning and cover game hen well. Use your own favorite seasonings.

SPATCHCOCKED AND ROASTED CORNISH GAME HEN WITH GREEN MOJO AND MASHED CITRUS SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• For the Cornish game hen: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant, a few minutes. Grind in a spice grinder. Combine half of the ground spices, the garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Reserve the remaining ground spices.
• Pat the hen dry with paper towels and season all over with the spice mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and place, skin-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Roast until cooked through, 35 to 45 minutes. Cut the hen in half.
• For the green mojo: Combine the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, serrano and the reserved ground cumin and coriander in a high-powered blender. Blend until bright green and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour the sauce over the hen and serve with Mashed Citrus Sweet Potatoes.
• Place the sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan and cover by 1 inch with water. Bring to a boil over high heat and season with salt. Turn down the heat and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Strain the potatoes, then add them back to the pot to dry. Mash the potatoes in the pan. Add the chicken stock, honey, thyme, lemon zest and juice and orange zest and juice. Add more chicken stock if needed. Season with salt and pepper.

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH DOUBLE-CRANBERRY AND THYME SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Blend 2 tablespoons butter, sugar, and 2 teaspoons thyme in small bowl. Sprinkle hen halves with salt and pepper. Spread skin of each with half of butter mixture. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add hen halves, skin side down. Sear until deep brown, about 4 minutes. Turn, skin side up, and sear 1 minute. Remove from heat. Transfer hen halves, skin side up, to small rimmed baking sheet. Reserve skillet (mixture will be dark). Roast hen halves until cooked through and juices run clear when pierced with fork, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend remaining 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 tablespoon flour in small bowl. Add broth, grape juice, cranberry concentrate, and remaining 1 teaspoon thyme to reserved skillet. Boil until sauce is reduced to 3/4 cup, whisking often, about 7 minutes. Whisk in flour mixture and cranberries. Simmer until sauce coats spoon, stirring often, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer hen halves to plates. Spoon sauce over and serve.

DRUNKEN CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Line a broiler pan with foil, open the Game bird package (Tyson sells them in packages of two, individually wrapped which is darned convenient, you can freeze the other one for next time) & find an empty beer or soda can (or you can go the cheap route & use a can of Bud which works just as well) and fill to the brim with Arrogant Bastard Ale, get the dark stuff, gives a lovely flavor, pop the top (if going the Bud route) & stick it up that randy little bird's butt. Seriously. If I can add a photo you'll see what I mean, I'll give it my best shot --.
• You can put the dry ingredients in a ziplock bag & shake the bird until good & coated or just sprinkle on once on the can. VERY IMPORTANT - IF YOU USE AN ALREADY IN THE CAN BEER, POP THE TOP, I'm pretty sure you don't want it to explode in your oven -- Place the bird atop the can (really give it a good shove, get it in there good & solid) place the whole shebang in the middle of the broiler pan & then place pan in the middle of your oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes & go have a beer or two while you wait. You could also use this time constructively by getting together some nice veggies to sautee as a side dish but if you're already into the beer you probably won't care either way --.
• Enjoy the heck out of this, make two so you can invite the neighbors over, make sure you open the oven so they can point & laugh and tell you what a freak you are, it adds to the fun!
• When you think the bird is done, usually in about 45 minutes (check the thigh joint to see if the juices run clear, smaller birds don't take as long as bigger ones, duh) remove the tray from the oven & ever so gently extract the can from the bird's behind (it will be very hot so be careful!). I usually slice the bird from stem to stern while still atop the can, makes extraction easier. Whatever you do DON'T SPILL THE BEER, especially if you're naked as it will leave a nasty burn, trust me on this one--.
• Anyway, enjoy the heck out of this recipe, it's simple and you'll really love the Game hen. To substitute a regular chicken use a tall beer can & roast for an hour or more -- .

JUICY BACON WRAPPED CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• 1 Preheat oven to 350°F.
• 2 Melt butter and stir in honey and chili powder; mixing well in a small pot .
• 3 Stir in orange juice, (salt and pepper optional) and put heat on low.
• 4 Cut each hen into two halves.
• 5 Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.
• 6 Place hens in in round baking dish, skin side down, and place in oven for 10 minutes.
• 7 Turn hens over and baste generously with all of the mixture.
• 8 Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until well browned, periodically pouring the glaze from the pan onto the hens throughout the cooking process.
• 9 Once the timer goes off pull the hen out and wrap your bacon slices around the hens, tucking the bacon under the wing tips and around, coat the hen with more glaze from the pan and place back in the oven and cook until bacon is light brown.

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH CURRIED PLUM GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse hen halves and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Arrange hen halves, skin side up, on prepared baking sheet.
• Combine plum jam, chutney, and curry powder in small saucepan. Stir over low heat until curried plum glaze comes to boil. Brush 2 tablespoons glaze over each hen half, coating generously. Add chicken broth to remaining glaze and reserve for sauce.
• Bake hen halves until golden and tender, about 25 minutes. Transfer hen halves to plates. Squeeze fresh lime juice over each hen half. Pour pan juices into reserved glaze mixture and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer to thicken slightly, about 3 minutes. Spoon sauce around hen halves. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and chopped peanuts.

ROAST CORNISH GAME HEN WITH SPRING VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500°F. Combine fennel, leek, carrots, 1 teaspoon thyme and 1 tablespoon oil in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish; toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brush hen halves with remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon thyme, salt and pepper. Arrange hen halves atop vegetables. Roast 15 minutes.
• Pour wine onto vegetables in dish. Continue to roast until vegetables are tender and hen is cooked through, stirring vegetables occasionally, about 8 minutes longer. Serve hen with vegetables.

ROAST CORNISH GAME HEN WITH SPICY FRUIT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Mix first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Transfer 3 tablespoons salsa mixture to small bowl and stir in oil and allspice. Place hen halves on rack set on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; brush with oil mixture. Roast until juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 25 minutes. Transfer hen halves to plates. Spoon remaining salsa mixture on top.

ROCK CORNISH GAME HEN WITH CRANBERRY-PECAN STUFFING --

Steps:

• 1. Remove giblets from the defrosted hen. Rinse in cold water and pat dry before stuffing.
• 2. Brown the bread crumbs in butter, add the nuts, salt and pepper. Stir in the dried cranberries.
• 3. Fill the game hen cavity, loosely, with the crumb mixture.
• 4. Combine the honey, orange juice concentrate, butter and paprika, stir well.
• 5. Place the stuffed hen in a shallow roasting pan. Brush with the honey butter.
• 6. While roasting the hen, baste several more times to achieve a nice brown coating.
• 7. Roast 350 degrees, about 1 hour, or until the drumstick feels loose.
• 8. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

CORNISH GAME HEN AND STUFFING RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• Clean cornish game hen. Prepare stuffing as directed. Salt, pepper and sage inside of hen. Stuff with prepared stuffing. Wrap hen in bacon and coat with melted butter. Cover with foil. Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour, basting with butter every 15 minutes. Remove foil and cook uncovered for last 15 minutes. Put any excess stuffing in pan with hens and bake for last 15 minutes Remove stuffing and let sit for 15 minutes before serving. Serves 4

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH BACON AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Wrap a brick in aluminum foil and place into the oven to heat.
• Place the game hen breast side down on a cutting board. Using scissors or poultry shears, cut from the neck to the tailbone to remove the backbone. Once you remove the backbone you will be able to see the inside of the bird. Make a small slit in the cartilage at the base of the breastbone to reveal the keel bone. Grab the bird with both hands on the ribs and open up like a book, facing down towards the cutting board. Remove the keel bone. Cut small slits in the skin of the bird behind the legs and tuck the drumsticks into them in order to hold them in place. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Fry the bacon in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once crisp, remove the bacon from the skillet and reserve. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan. Immediately add the two birds to the pan, skin side down. Add the onions to the pan around the edges. Top the birds with the brick and allow to remain on the heat for 5 minutes. Place the pan into the oven and cook 10 to 15 minutes or until the thigh meat reaches 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and allow the bird to rest for 5 minutes before serving with the onions and bacon.

CINNAMON DUSTED CORNISH GAME HEN WITH SWEET POTATO RISOTTO

Steps:

• Rub hen breasts with salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Let sit for 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Dice 3 sweet potatoes. Heat skillet, add sweet potato with butter and ginger. Toss until lightly brown. Place in the oven and roast until slightly al dente. Reserve.
• Combine sugar, water, and cranberry, and Port wine in same pot. Reduce slowly until thick. Puree and put through chinois. Put back on the stove and reduce until syrupy. Reserve.
• Add risotto to pan. Add Riesling. Scrape 1/2 vanilla bean, stirring until incorporated. Add mascarpone. Fold in roasted sweet potato.
• Sear off game hen breasts and finish in oven, keeping tender and juicy. Blanch orange zest in hot water for approximately 2 minutes.
• Put risotto in the bottom of a bowl or plate, with game hen breasts crossed on the top. Garnish with crispy sweet potato, toasted walnuts, chervil, and drizzle with cranberry syrup. Top with orange zest.

MARINATED AND GRILLED SQUAB, QUAIL, OR CORNISH GAME HEN

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the garlic, shallot, ginger, honey, nuoc mam, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil, stir once or twice, and cool.
• Split the birds in half-through the breastbone and backbones-and marinate them in this mixture for at least 1 hour and preferably overnight (in the refrigerator for longer marinating times).
• Start a charcoal or gas grill; the fire should be only moderately hot and the rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Drain the birds and grill them for about 6 minutes per side or until done to your taste; squab is at its best when still fairly pink. (Quail will take about the same amount of time; game hens will take about 20 minutes total). Meanwhile, mix the pepper and salt together.
• When the birds are done, drizzle them with the sesame oil and serve, passing the pepper-and-salt mixture at the table.
• Marinated and Sautéed Squab
• In step 3, drain the birds well and dry with paper towels. Place 2 tablespoons oil in one or more large skillets and turn the heat to high. Cook the birds until nicely browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown the other side for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the squab are done. (Quail will take about the same amount of time; I would not recommend doing Cornish hens this way.) Finish and serve as directed.
• Deep-Fried Squab
• This is quite a different procedure, more work, but very good. Double the amount of marinade. Bring the marinade to a boil in a large saucepan and cook the birds in it, sequentially if necessary, for about 10 minutes each. Remove and let dry on a rack (you can do this a day ahead of time; let dry in the refrigerator). When you're ready to cook, bring a large pot of corn, grapeseed, or other neutral oil to about 350°F (a pinch of flour will sizzle, and the oil will thin and start to shimmer). Fry the birds, sequentially if necessary, until browned and crisp about 10 minutes. (Quail are excellent this way; reduce the initial cooking time to 5 minutes each; I would not recommend doing Cornish hens this way.) Serve with salt and pepper.

CORNISH GAME HEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Split the game hen in half lengthwise, using a sharp knife to cut through the breast and backbone.
• Mix flour, cheese, salt and herbs.
• Add olive oil and mix until a paste is formed.
• Pat game hen dry.
• Smear paste over skin, coating as much as possible.
• Place halves in baking 8"x8" baking dish, cut side down.
• Bake at 375 degrees until browned, about 35-40 minutes.
• Baste 2-3 times with pan juices toward the end of cooking.
• Do not overcook or meat will become dry.

CORNISH GAME HEN WITH PROSCIUTTO AND ROSEMARY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Sprinkle game hen inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the whole slice of prosciutto and rosemary sprig. It is best to truss the hen with string or skewers.
• Rub oil over outside of hen and arrange it on one side in a baking dish. Scatter onion halves, liver and gizzard around the bird. Place dish in the oven and bake 15 minutes. Turn it to the other side and cook 15 minutes, basting often.
• Remove hen and pour off the fat from the dish. Place hen breast side up in the dish and pour broth around it. Place in oven and continue baking 10 minutes. Remove and discard trussing string and serve.