Tropical Glazed Cornish Hens
Elevate your dinner table with these mouthwatering Tropical Glazed Cornish Hens, perfect for any holiday feast or special occasion. Instead of the typical stuffing, this recipe features a delightful blend of tropical flavors, with macadamia nuts, white raisins, and fresh mango or peach, all enveloped in a sweet and tangy glaze made from honey, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. With crispy skin and juicy meat, these hens are not just visually stunning but will also leave your guests asking for seconds. Serve it alongside rice or a fresh salad for a truly unforgettable meal that brings the spirit of the islands to your dining experience!
6
Servings
600
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornish hens
6 (clean and dry)
Salt
to taste (seasoning)
Pepper
to taste (seasoning)
Honey
1 cup (for glazing)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (for glazing)
Light rum
3 tablespoons (optional)
Pineapple tidbit syrup
from 1 can (30 oz) (for glazing)
Soy sauce
1/2 cup (for glazing and stuffing)
Plum jam
1/4 cup (for glazing and stuffing)
Garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon (for glazing and stuffing)
Chicken broth
1 1/2 cups (for roasting)
Macadamia nuts
1/2 cup, chopped (for stuffing)
White raisins
1/2 cup (for stuffing)
Mangoes or peaches
2, cut into small chunks (fresh or canned for stuffing)
Brown sugar
1 tablespoon (for stuffing)
Vinegar
2 tablespoons (for glazing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped macadamia nuts, white raisins, mango or peach chunks, pineapple tidbits, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, plum jam, and garlic powder. Mix well to create a fruity stuffing.
3
Rinse the Cornish hens under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels, ensuring they are clean both inside and out.
4
Season the hens liberally with salt and pepper, both inside and out, to enhance their flavor.
5
Carefully stuff each hen with the prepared tropical stuffing mixture, ensuring they are filled without overpacking.
6
In another bowl, mix together the honey, cinnamon, light rum (if using), soy sauce, and plum jam to create the glaze.
7
Brush or rub the glaze generously over each stuffed hen, making sure to coat them thoroughly.
8
Place the hens breast side down in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes. During this time, baste them with the glaze and pan juices every 15-20 minutes for maximum flavor and moisture.
9
After 45-50 minutes, carefully turn the hens over to brown the breast side evenly and add the chicken broth to the pan. Scrape the bottom of the pan to incorporate any drippings and add leftover glaze to the broth.
10
Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes, or until the internal juices run clear and the hens reach a safe internal temperature.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
53g
Carbs
40g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tropical Glazed Cornish Hens?
Tropical Glazed Cornish Hens are a savory and sweet poultry dish stuffed with macadamia nuts, fruit, and glazed with a honey-soy-pineapple mixture.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
What ingredients are in the tropical stuffing?
The stuffing includes macadamia nuts, white raisins, mango or peach chunks, pineapple tidbits, brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, plum jam, and garlic powder.
How do I prepare the hens before stuffing them?
Rinse the hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels, ensuring they are clean inside and out.
What is the glaze made of?
The glaze consists of honey, cinnamon, optional light rum, soy sauce, and plum jam.
Should the hens be roasted breast side up or down initially?
The hens should be placed breast side down for the first 45-50 minutes of roasting.
How often should I baste the Cornish hens?
Baste the hens with the glaze and pan juices every 15-20 minutes for the best flavor.
What do I do after the first 50 minutes of roasting?
Turn the hens over to brown the breast side, add chicken broth to the pan, and lower the oven temperature.
What is the lower temperature for the final roasting stage?
Lower the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) for the final 30 minutes of cooking.
Is the rum a mandatory ingredient?
No, the 3 tablespoons of light rum are optional for the glaze.
Can I use peaches instead of mangoes?
Yes, you can use either 2 fresh mangoes or peaches, cut into small chunks.
What type of nuts are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped macadamia nuts.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 40g of protein.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 30g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 53g of carbohydrates in each serving.
What kind of raisins should I use?
This recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of white raisins.
What type of jam is used in both the stuffing and glaze?
Plum jam is used in both components to provide a sweet, fruity base.
How much chicken broth is required?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth for the roasting pan.
Can I use canned fruit for the stuffing?
Yes, the recipe allows for either fresh or canned mangoes/peaches for the stuffing.
Is there vinegar in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of vinegar are added to the stuffing mixture.
How do I know the hens are cooked through?
The hens are done when their internal juices run clear and they reach a safe internal temperature.
What seasonings are used for the skin?
The hens should be seasoned liberally with salt and pepper both inside and out.
What should I serve with Tropical Glazed Cornish Hens?
It is recommended to serve these hens alongside rice or a fresh salad.
How much honey is used for the glaze?
The glaze requires 1 cup of honey.
Is this recipe suitable for holidays?
Yes, it is specifically described as perfect for holiday feasts, Thanksgiving, or special occasions.
What is the purpose of the pineapple tidbit syrup?
The syrup from a 30 oz can of pineapple tidbits is used as a component of the glazing process.
Can I overpack the stuffing?
The instructions advise stuffing each hen without overpacking them.
What spice is added to the honey glaze?
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon is added to the glaze for warmth and flavor.