Baked Cornish Hens

Baked Cornish Hens

from blackpeoplesrecipes.com
75 min

This Baked Cornish Hens recipe is surprisingly easy to make. Roasted to golden perfection, they have crispy skin that gives way to juicy, tender meat with every delightful bite. Serve these for weeknight dinners, Thanksgiving, or as an addition to any holiday spread.

Ingredients

  • 4 Cornish hens
  • 1-2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 cups chicken broth or water

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  2. 2

    Drizzle the olive oil over the Cornish hens and sprinkle the spices throughout. Rub the spices onto both sides. Ensure the hens are fully coated and add additional spices if necessary.

  3. 3

    Place the seasoned Cornish hens in a roasting pan or a baking dish.

  4. 4

    Pour the chicken broth or water into the roasting pan to provide moisture during baking. This will help keep the hens tender and juicy. Be careful to pour it around the Cornish Hens so you don't disturb the spices on the skin.

  5. 5

    Bake the Cornish hens for about 45 to 60 minutes, or however long it takes for them to reach an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.

  6. 6

    Once done, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in tender, succulent meat.