What Are Cornish game hens and How Can I Use Them?
Wondering what to do with cornish game hens? This guide covers how to pick them, cook them, store them, and swap them, plus 60 recipes to put them to work.
Key Points
- Small young chickens, mild like regular chicken; plan one whole hen or half per person.
- Roast at 375-400°F for 50-60 minutes until the thigh reads 165°F.
- Spatchcock or halve for faster, even cooking on the grill in 30-40 minutes.
- Glaze the fast-caramelizing skin and pair with lemon, herbs, or fruit sauces.
- Thaw frozen hens in the fridge; cook within 1-2 days, freeze up to 9 months.
What are cornish game hens?
Cornish game hens are not game and not really hens. They are small, young chickens, a cross involving the Cornish breed, slaughtered young so the bird stays under about 2 pounds (900 g). The meat is tender and mild, the same flavor as chicken in a single-serving package.
The appeal is presentation. A whole little bird on each plate looks special with almost none of the work a turkey demands, which is why they show up at holidays and dinner parties.
Plan on one whole hen per person, or half a bird for lighter eaters. A 1.5 pound (680 g) hen splits neatly into two servings.
Roasting and Grilling
Roasting is the classic move. Rub the skin with oil or butter, season the bird well inside and out, then roast at 375 to 400°F (190 to 205°C) for about 50 to 60 minutes, until the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
Because they are small, a hot oven crisps the skin before the meat overcooks. Bob's Roasted Cornish Hens and Cornish Hens & Gravy both lean on that quick, high-heat roast.
These birds love a glaze. The skin caramelizes fast, so brush on something sweet near the end, the way Apricot-Glazed Cornish Hens does, or finish with fruit as in Cornish Hens & Plums on Baby Spinach.
For grilling or faster cooking, spatchcock or halve the bird. Cut out the backbone and press it flat so it cooks evenly in 30 to 40 minutes. Cornish Hen Halves & Wild Rice splits them to pair with a stuffing-style side.
A small cavity invites stuffing. Plain rice, wild rice, or a herb-and-bread mix all work. Pack it loosely and add a few minutes, since stuffing slows the heat reaching the center.
Pairings and Common Mistakes
The mild meat is a blank canvas. Lemon, garlic, rosemary, and thyme keep it simple, while fruit-and-port, apricot, plum, and orange glazes turn it festive.
The usual mistake is overcooking. There is little meat over thin bones, so a hen dries out faster than a big chicken. Pull it the moment the thigh hits temperature and let it rest 10 minutes.
The other slip is pale skin. Dry the bird well before roasting and use real heat, or it steams instead of browning.
Substitutes
A small broiler chicken, cut into portions, is the everyday stand-in. You lose the one-bird-per-plate drama but keep the flavor and roughly the cooking method.
Poussin, a French baby chicken even smaller than a Cornish hen, is the closest match of all and cooks the same way in slightly less time.
For a richer, gamier plate, quail or squab can fill the small-whole-bird role, though they are smaller still and cook fast, so watch them closely.
Buying and Storage
Cornish hens are sold whole, almost always frozen, sometimes two to a pack. Look for plump birds with unbroken skin and no freezer burn. Fresh ones turn up near the holidays.
Thaw frozen hens in the fridge, allowing about a day for a pair, never on the counter. A cold-water thaw in the sink speeds it up if you are short on time.
Keep thawed or fresh hens in the coldest part of the fridge and cook them within 1 to 2 days. Frozen, they hold their quality up to about 9 months.
Cooked hen keeps 3 to 4 days refrigerated. The carcasses, small as they are, make a fine quick stock, so do not toss them.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 bird whole (257g)Quick facts
Where to find cornish game hens: Cornish game hens are usually found in the poultry section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Cornish game hens are a member of the Poultry Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 康沃尔游戏母鸡
- British (UK) term
- Cornish game hens
- en français
- poules de jeu cornish
- en español
- gallinas de Cornualles del juego
How much do cornish game hens weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 bird whole | 257 grams |
| ½ bird | 129 grams |
Related
Poultry Products
Recipes using cornish game hens
There are 60 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Cornish Hens & Plums on Baby Spinach
Grilled Cornish hens with a honey-cumin plum rub tucked under the skin, served on baby spinach with grilled plums and balsamic vinaigrette. A showstopping summer grill dinner.
Roasted Game Hens
Simple roasted Cornish game hens with lemon, onion, butter, and white wine. Elegant individual birds that roast to golden perfection in under an hour for special dinners.
Butterflied Cornish Hens Rubbed with Lemon Garlic Butter
Butterflied Cornish game hens grilled with ancho chile and finished with a bold lemon garlic compound butter. Impressive enough for company, simple enough for any night.
Cornish Hens with Apple Glaze
Roasted Cornish game hens basted with a sticky apple juice and cinnamon glaze with lemon. Just 5 ingredients for a gorgeous, golden bird with sweet-tart lacquered skin.
Cornish Hen
Asian-style Cornish hen wraps split hen breasts around asparagus spears and steams them in a bamboo steamer over rice with bok choy, broccoli, and peppers. Elegant pan-Asian dinner.
Barbecued Cornish Hen
Barbecued Cornish Hens on a vertical roaster over covered charcoal, basted every 10 minutes with a Worcestershire-forward brown sugar BBQ sauce. Rich, deeply flavored grilled poultry in under an hour.
Cape Cod Cranberry Glazed Ham
Cornish game hens roasted with a Cape Cod-style cranberry glaze made from jellied cranberry sauce, soy sauce, and cinnamon. Sticky, glossy, and holiday-ready.
Wildfowl Stock
Slow-simmered wildfowl stock from game bird pieces with wild celery, onions, carrots, and watercress. A patient, traditional method for a deeply flavored base.
Grilled Cornish Game Hens
Grilled Cornish game hens marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, and coarsely crushed black pepper with a rosemary sprig tossed on the coals for smoke. Simple, elegant grilling.
Glazed Cornish Game Hens
Glazed Cornish game hens roasted with a homemade curry powder, corn syrup and mustard glaze. An Indian-leaning dinner for two with lacquered, deeply spiced skin and tender juicy meat inside.
Cornish Hens with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Roasted Cornish game hens marinated in tomatillo-chipotle salsa with a creamy pan sauce, green beans, and onions. A smoky, elegant one-pan dinner with Mexican flavors.
Four Alarm Game Hens
Grilled Cornish game hens glazed with a fiery red pepper sauce made from roasted peppers, Dijon mustard, and three kinds of hot pepper. Four-alarm heat with a sweet roasted pepper backbone.
Cornish Hens with Toasted Rice Stuffing
Cornish hens roasted over a toasted long-grain rice stuffing studded with pecans, raisins and orange juice. An elegant holiday-worthy dinner with juicy birds and aromatic fruit-and-nut rice.
Maple Mustard Game Hens
Maple mustard game hens spatchcocked, marinated overnight in Dijon, lemon, and maple syrup, then roasted in a hot oven until skin is bronzed and crackling. Date-night dinner with restaurant flair.
Grilled Cornish Hens
Grilled Cornish hens roast halved in the oven, then get glazed with plum barbecue sauce during the final 45 minutes until tender and sticky. Elegant personal-sized dinner from just 2 ingredients.
Thai Hens
Broiled Cornish game hens in a teriyaki-lemon-garlic marinade, showered with fresh cilantro. A simple Thai-inspired main that looks like a restaurant plate.
Cornish Hens (Gallina De Cornuallo Al Ajillo)
Spanish-style butterflied Cornish hens rubbed with crushed coriander and garlic, roasted crisp, then topped with sauteed almonds and julienned bell peppers. Gallina de Cornuallo al Ajillo for a crowd.
Pan-Roasted Squab with Salsify
Pan-roasted squab with bing cherry red wine reduction, butter-braised salsify, and wilted spinach. Restaurant-quality French-American game bird dinner for four.
Brandy-Orange Barbecued Hens
Brandy-orange barbecued Cornish hens: grilled game hens glazed with orange marmalade, brandy, and ginger. An elegant two-bird dinner built for the backyard grill.
Tangerine Hens
Tangerine hens stuffed with fresh tangerine segments, pecans, and mushrooms, basted with honey, soy, and white Zinfandel. An elegant citrus-roasted Cornish game hen dinner for four.
Grilled Game Hens
Grilled Cornish game hens marinated in honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and white wine vinegar. Basted frequently and finished directly over charcoal for crispy skin.
Sauteed Breast of Cornish Game Hen with Herb Sauce
Sauteed Breast of Cornish Game Hen with Herb Sauce recipe
Braised Cornish Hens
Cornish hens stuffed with turnip-apple-potato mash, browned in clarified butter, and braised in Calvados and apple juice. An elegant French-inspired dinner with autumn flavors in every bite.
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Sumatran Coconut Cornish Game Hens butterflied, broiled, then braised in a fragrant coconut milk sauce with lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, chili, and coriander until tender and lacquered.
Five Spice Game Hens (Siu Yeah Gai)
Cornish game hens rubbed with Chinese five spice and a hoisin-plum-sherry marinade overnight, then roasted to a lacquered mahogany finish glazed with soy and maple syrup.
Cornish Hens Proven-Al Style
Cornish hens Provencal style braised with tomatoes, saffron, olives, leeks, white wine, and fresh herbs. A one-skillet French country dinner with golden-skinned game hens in 50 minutes.
Crockpot Cornish
Try this crockpot recipe that makes a delicious dish that is perfect for when you have guests over.
Roasted Game Hens with Asian Spice Rub
Roasted Cornish game hens slathered with ginger-five-spice butter and stuffed with lemon and onion. Crackly, fragrant skin and a white-wine pan sauce for an elegant dinner.
Mandarin Cornish Hens
Mandarin Cornish hens: small game hens roasted and basted in a bright orange juice glaze for tender, citrus-kissed meat and burnished skin. An elegant, simple main with one bird per person or to share.
Fruit Cornish Hens
Fruit Cornish hens: classic Chicken Marbella scaled up for small birds. Cornish hens marinated with garlic, oregano, prunes, apricots, green olives, and capers, then roasted until golden with brown sugar glaze.
Fourth of July Cornish Hens
Fourth of July grilled Cornish hens split lengthwise and basted with a lemon-garlic-Italian dressing marinade. Backyard BBQ centerpiece that feeds eight for summer holidays.
Cornish Hens with Raisin-Rice Pilaf
Skinless Cornish hen halves basted with brandy, apple juice, and paprika, served over a cinnamon-scented wild rice pilaf with brandy-soaked raisins. Light, elegant, and feeds eight.
Cornish Hens with Rum
Caribbean-inspired grilled Cornish hens marinated in dark rum, lime juice, honey, and garlic, crusted with crushed coriander and peppercorns. Bold tropical flavors from the grill.
Tropical Stuffed Cornish Hens
Roasted Cornish hens stuffed with brown rice, pineapple, currants, and macadamia nuts, basted in a sweet red pepper jelly glaze with crystallized ginger. A showpiece dinner for entertaining.
Roasted Game Hens Stuffed Under the Skin With
Roasted Cornish game hens stuffed under the skin with herbed ricotta, Parmesan, basil, and lemon zest. Roasted with white wine for an elegant one-pan dinner.
Roasted Cornish Game Hens Marinated in Honey & Mustard
Roasted Cornish game hens marinated overnight in honey, mustard, garlic, thyme, and cinnamon. Roasted hot breast-down for juicy meat, then flipped to brown the skin glossy and dark.
Rice-Stuffed Cornish Hens
Rice-stuffed Cornish hens with a sweet filling of raisins, walnuts, honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Roasted with butter-rubbed skin until golden and juicy.
Cornish Hens with Wild Rice for Smoker
Smoked Cornish hens stuffed with wild rice and pecans, glazed with lime marmalade and orange juice. Includes charcoal, electric, and gas smoker instructions for 2-3 hours of low smoke.
Tandori-Style Game Hens with Corn & Cumin-Tomato Sauce
Buttermilk-marinated Cornish game hens baked with turmeric, serrano chiles, and cilantro, served over cumin-spiced corn with a creamy tomato sauce. A showstopping Indian-inspired dinner.
Small Chickens Marinated in Tequila & Lime
Spatchcocked Cornish game hens marinated in tequila, fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and garlic then roasted until golden and crispy. A showstopper dinner with serious fiesta flair.
Glazed Cornish Hens
Glazed Cornish hens roasted with an apple jelly and cinnamon glaze, served with wild rice tossed with red grapes, celery, and cashews. An elegant dinner that's easier than it looks.
Lemon-Ginger Cornish Hens
Roasted cornish hens marinated overnight in lemon, fresh ginger, honey, and lemongrass. A bright, citrusy take on individual roast birds for an elegant dinner.
Blueberry Stuffed Cornish Hens
Roasted Cornish hens stuffed with fresh blueberries and brushed with a lemon-Angostura bitters glaze. An elegant, unexpected dinner that pairs fruit and poultry beautifully.
Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
New Orleans-style Cornish game hens stuffed with spinach, mushrooms, and vermouth cream, wrapped in bacon, and roasted with a white wine pan sauce. Masterchef-worthy dinner.
Autumn Fruit Cornish Hens
Cornish game hens stewed in fruit and sugar -- I originally got this recipe from the Sunday magazine of the local paper. I served it last year for Christmas dinner, and it's very good. What's more, this recipe is easy: you just put everything in a bowl, marinate overnight, then bake until done!
Cornish Hen with Peaches
Microwave Cornish hens with peaches glazed in honey, dry mustard, and curry powder over chicken-flavored rice. A retro one-dish weeknight dinner with sweet, mildly spiced poultry.
Honey-Laquered Game Hens
Honey up your day with this succulent dish that is perfect to serve when guests are coming over for dinner.
Cornish Hens with Tomato, Basil & Garlic
Roasted Cornish hens stuffed with cherry tomatoes, fennel, fresh basil, and garlic, served with butter-soft French roasted garlic bulbs.
Wine Braised Cornish Hen
Cornish hen braised in burgundy wine with fresh raspberries, rosemary, thyme, and garlic, then finished under the broiler for crispy edges. An elegant dinner for one or a romantic meal for two.
