Cornish Game Hen Recipe - The Art of Food and Wine (2024)

This scrumptious Cornish Game Hen Recipe is packed with delicious herb flavor

Tender, juicy, and roasted to perfection. This recipe is easy to prepare and makes a great special occasion meal.

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Ingredients for Cornish Game Hen Recipe

• 2 Cornish Game Hens
• Minced Garlic
• Fresh Chopped Rosemary
• Fresh Chopped Sage
• Olive Oil
• Salt
• Black Pepper

To make the Root Vegetables

• Rainbow Carrots
• Red Potatoes
• Parsnips
• Turnips
• Onion
• Whole Garlic Cloves
• Olive Oil
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt
• Black Pepper

How to Prepare and Cook Cornish Game Hen Recipe

First Step: Preparing the Root Vegetables

• Preheat oven to 400˚F degrees.
• Rinse, pat dry, and set aside the Cornish Game Hens.
• Chop the root vegetables into large chunks, about 2 inches by 2 inches.
• In a large bowl add the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, turnips, onion, and 3 whole garlic cloves.
• Add 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
• Toss everything together to coat the vegetables and spread evenly into a 9″ x 13″x 2″ baking dish.
• Cover with a lid or with aluminum foil.
• Roast covered vegetables for 45 minutes.

Second Step: Preparing the Cornish Game Hens

• In a medium-sized bowl mix 3 cloves of minced garlic, 2 teaspoons of finely chopped sage leaves, and 2 teaspoons of finely chopped rosemary.
• Add 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper.
• Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and mix together until well blended.
• Coat the exterior of the Cornish game hens with the olive oil and herb mixture.
• Tie the drumsticks together with 100% cotton string.

Third Step: Cooking the Cornish Game Hen Recipe

• Reduce the oven temperature to 375˚F.
• Uncover root vegetables and place game hens directly on top of the root vegetables. Add a sprig of rosemary to the top of each Cornish game hen.
• Return the baking pan with the added hens to the oven. Roast uncovered for 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until vegetables are tender.
• Cornish game hen should register 180˚F on an instant read thermometer, and the juices should run clear. The best place to test temperature is on the inner thigh of the hen.
• Remove string on the drumsticks. Cover the pan with foil and let rest for 10 minutes. This is very important because it allows all the juices to resettle into the meat.
• Place Cornish Game Hens onto a cutting board. Use a large heavy knife to cut game hens in half lengthwise.
• Serve alongside the roasted root vegetables.

What is a Cornish Game Hen?

A Cornish Game hen is a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth rock chicken breeds. On average they weigh between 1.5 – 2 pounds. With less assertive flavors than chicken they pair well with most vegetables and their meat is tender when cooked.

A single hen will make one hearty serving or can be cut in half for two regular servings. We always slice ours in half after cooking and before serving. However, serving them whole is a showstopper and looks fantastic on the table!

Tips for cooking Cornish Game Hens:

• Cornish Game Hens can be roasted with or without the root vegetables we’ve included here.
• When cooking them separately we suggest stuffing them with slices of lemon and onions, to add extra flavor, as well as seasoning the skin with herbs. Before serving remove lemons and onions before slicing and serving.
• Place game hens in a roasting pan, cover, and cook for one hour or to an internal temperature of 180˚F.
• Most Cornish Game Hens are sold frozen so be sure to thaw them out in your refrigerator 24-48 hours ahead of time to ensure even cooking.

Makes 2 large servings or 4 moderate servings

Suggestions for wine pairings:

We love to pair this dish with a creamy Pinot Noir from California or Oregon with the flavors of raspberry, cherry, black truffles, and mushrooms

Your weekday wines:

• J Vineyards California Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
• Landmark Vineyard Overlook Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

Your weekend wines:

• WillaKenzie Estate Pierre Leon Pinot Noir, Oregon
• Williamette Valley Estate Pinot Noir, Oregon

Special Occasion wines:

• Kosta Browe Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
• Beaux Freres, The Vineyards Pinot Noir

These side dishes pair well with our hens:

• Baking Powder biscuits
• Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Rice Pilaf Recipe