Savory Herb-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
These succulent Cornish game hens are stuffed to perfection with a delightful medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, creating a mouthwatering dish that’s perfect for any special occasion or family dinner. The tender meat, infused with the rich flavors of garlic, basil, and oregano, pairs beautifully with wild rice or roasted potatoes, making it a versatile choice for a festive meal. Serve the tasty stuffing on the side for an added touch of comfort, and watch as your guests rave about this impressive yet easy-to-make dish.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornish hens
2 (cleaned and patted dry)
butter
1/2 cup (melted (for stuffing))
onion
1/2 (chopped)
celery
1/2 stalk (chopped)
carrot
1 (chopped)
green bell pepper
1/4 (chopped)
mixed mushrooms
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can (drained and chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
dried basil
1 tablespoon (dried)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (dried)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
butter
1/4 cup (melted (for drizzling))
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) to prepare for roasting the hens.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, chopped onion, celery, carrot, bell pepper, drained mixed mushrooms, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and fresh parsley until well blended.
3
Rinse the Cornish hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both the inside and outside of each hen generously with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
4
Carefully stuff each hen with equal portions of the buttery vegetable mixture, ensuring they are nicely filled but not overstuffed.
5
Place the stuffed hens breast side up in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the tops of the birds for additional richness.
6
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes. This will ensure the meat becomes tender and fully cooked.
7
After 1 hour and 30 minutes, carefully remove the cover and increase the oven temperature to 500°F (260°C) for about 10 to 15 minutes. This step will help to create a beautiful golden-brown crust on the hens.
8
Once the hens are nicely browned, remove them from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and flavorful meat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Herb-Stuffed Cornish Game Hens?
They are succulent Cornish game hens filled with a vegetable and aromatic herb stuffing, ideal for special occasions.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to initially?
The oven should be preheated to 325°F (165°C) for the initial roasting phase.
What ingredients are used in the stuffing?
The stuffing includes melted butter, onion, celery, carrot, green bell pepper, mixed mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano, and fresh parsley.
How should the Cornish hens be prepared before stuffing?
Rinse the hens under cold water, pat them dry with paper towels, and season inside and out with salt and pepper.
How much stuffing should go into each hen?
Each hen should be stuffed with equal portions until nicely filled, but they should not be overstuffed.
What size baking dish is recommended for this recipe?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for placing the hens breast side up.
What is drizzled over the hens before they go into the oven?
An additional 1/4 cup of melted butter is drizzled over the tops of the birds for added richness.
How long do the hens bake while covered?
The hens bake covered for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Why is the baking dish covered with aluminum foil?
Covering the dish ensures the meat stays moist and becomes tender during the long roasting period.
What is the second oven temperature used for browning?
The oven temperature is increased to 500°F (260°C) after the initial roasting.
How long do the hens bake at the higher temperature?
They bake at 500°F for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
What is the purpose of the 500°F baking step?
This high-heat step creates a beautiful golden-brown crust on the hens.
Why should the hens rest before serving?
Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful.
How long should the hens rest?
The hens should rest for 10 minutes before they are served.
What side dishes pair well with Cornish game hens?
They pair beautifully with wild rice, roasted potatoes, or extra stuffing served on the side.
What kind of mushrooms are used in the stuffing?
The recipe calls for one 4.5-ounce can of mixed mushrooms, drained and chopped.
What dried herbs are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses dried basil and dried oregano.
Is fresh parsley used in this dish?
Yes, one tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley is added to the stuffing mixture.
How much butter is needed in total?
A total of 3/4 cup of butter is used: 1/2 cup for the stuffing and 1/4 cup for drizzling.
How many hens does this recipe prepare?
The recipe is designed for 2 Cornish hens.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
What part of the onion is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 of an onion, chopped.
How much green bell pepper is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 of a green bell pepper, chopped.
Are the carrots prepared in a specific way?
One carrot should be chopped before being added to the stuffing mix.
Is this recipe suitable for a Thanksgiving dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a great option for Thanksgiving and other special occasions.
Can this dish be considered comfort food?
Yes, the savory stuffing and tender meat make it a classic comfort food choice.
What type of poultry is used?
The recipe uses Cornish game hens, which are small, tender birds.
Is it necessary to drain the canned mushrooms?
Yes, the mushrooms should be drained and then chopped before mixing.
What is the total baking time excluding prep and resting?
The total baking time is approximately 1 hour and 40 to 45 minutes.
How do you ensure the meat is flavorful?
By seasoning both the inside and outside of the hens with salt and pepper and using aromatic herbs in the stuffing.