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Dairy Free
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Gluten Free
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Nut Free
Roasted Cornish Hens Stuffed with Vegetables
If you’ve never made Roasted Cornish Hens before, start with this easy and basic recipe. This recipe is smaller than a rotisserie chicken and is the perfect classy dinner dish!
This roasted cornish hen recipe is what you’ve been missing this holiday season!
Roasted and stuffed cornish hens are easy to make and turn out so, so delicious! With a simple array of herbs and a tasty stuffing of vegetables, these small chickens give you the best results and flavor. Adding this delicious recipe to your meal plans will only make the holiday cooking easier. Bigger birds like a rotisserie chicken may be too large for a small family, so this cornish hens recipe is here to help.
This classy dinner of cornish hens will look like you’ve been cooking all day, preparing for the family. This homemade dish is a great family meal, with mashed potatoes and a salad.
Although it looks so classy, it truly is nothing fancy! It even comes together in about an hour, serving two people or a small dinner party. You don’t need any super-seasoning blends here, just some salt and pepper.
Along with that, I use a poultry seasoning from Trader Joe’s. These tender hens are great for any time of year, special occasion, small gatherings, or even just a nice weeknight dinner.
Check out how to make the perfect delicious one-pan meal of Cornish hens below, it’s so much easier than you’d expect!
Key Ingredients
The amount listed is for two hens, so if you are just roasting one, divide the ingredient amount in half.
Celery sticks: Even if you don’t like celery, you should use it here, you won’t taste the strong celery taste, but will give the hen extra flavor.
Bell Pepper: Red
Onion: Yellow (not sweet)
Oil: Olive oil is great for roasting, but you can also use oil that you like.
Garlic: Brings out a nice aroma and flavor.
Lemon: Just the juice from the lemon.
Basil: Use fresh basil, it compliments poultry well.
Salt and pepper: For flavor and taste.
Poultry seasoning: I use the one from Trader Joe’s that you can find using this link!
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to make Cornish Hens
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare an oven sheet with a rack.
Step 2: Chop the veggies
Dice the celery sticks, red bell pepper, and onion.
Step 3: Prep the marinade
In a bowl, mix the fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and poultry seasoning. (Link at bottom for the trader joe’s seasoning.) Mix it well together.
Step 4: Oil the hens
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on the hen and spread it all around.
Step 5: Stuff the hens
Stuff the hens with chopped vegetables.
Step 6: Rub the hens
Rub the seasoning mix all over the hens.
Step 7: Roast the hens
Place into the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes.
Step 8: Broil
Broil for the last 5 minutes for the color!
Recipe FAQs
Cornish hens are a particular breed of chicken that were developed in England, named Cornish after Cornwall. Cornish hens are small game birds that make a delicious roast chicken.
Cornish hens roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then broil for an additional 5 minutes to make the outside golden brown.
You can season hens with any of your favorite seasonings you like. For this recipe, season the cornish hens with Trader Joe’s poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, basil, lemon juice, and garlic. All these savory seasonings and flavors combine to make a regular chicken into a delicious creation! Fill the cavity of the hens with various vegetables that add flavor.
Cornish hens roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes, then broil for an additional 5 minutes to make the outside golden brown.
Chicken is a great source of protein. Enjoy these chicken recipes from the blog:
The Best One Pot Chicken and Rice Plov Recipe is a great dish to make for any meal.
This unique Georgian Chicken in Walnut Sauce with Spices is a tasty delicacy, a simple dish.
More tasty poultry recipes to try
If you tried this Roasted Cornish Hens Stuffed with Vegetables or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Roasted Cornish Hens Stuffed with Vegetables
Equipment
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bowl
Ingredients
- 2 cornish hens
- 2 stick celery, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ yellow onion, diced
Seasoning Mix
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 juiced lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1 small handful basil, fresh, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning, I use 21 seasoning salt from Trader Joe's
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare an oven sheet with a rack.
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Dice celery sticks, red bell pepper, and onion.2 stick celery,, 1 red bell pepper,, ½ yellow onion,
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In a bowl mix fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, minced garlic, and poultry seasoning. (Link at bottom for the trader joe’s seasoning.) Mix it well together.1 clove garlic,, 1 juiced lemon,, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp poultry seasoning,, 1 small handful basil,
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Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on the hen and spread it all around.1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 cornish hens
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Stuff hens with chopped vegetables.2 stick celery,, 1 red bell pepper,, ½ yellow onion,
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Rub the seasoning mix all over the hens.
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Place in the oven for 1 hour 15 minutes.
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I broiled the last 5 minutes for the color.
Notes
- Place hens on a wire rack and baking sheets, for the drippings.
- Ovens may vary, keep an eye on the hens after an hour.
- Broil only for 5 minutes on medium broil for the golden brown finish.