Pioneer Woman Cornish Game Hens are roasted with garlic, lemon, rosemary, and white wine for an elegant, flavorful dinner that feels fancy but is easy to make. With crispy golden skin and juicy, tender meat, they’re the perfect choice for holidays, date nights, or cozy Sunday suppers.
Why You’ll Love This Cornish Game Hens Recipe
- Looks Gourmet, Tastes Easy: This dish has all the flair of a restaurant-worthy meal, with simple steps and accessible ingredients.
- Flavor-Packed and Aromatic: Zesty lemon, savory garlic, and fresh rosemary infuse every bite with incredible taste.
- Juicy Inside, Crispy Outside: Roasting at two temperatures ensures perfectly cooked hens with golden, crispy skin.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to make Tuesday feel fancy, this one impresses.
Ingredients
- 4 Cornish hens
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 8 sprigs of fresh rosemary, divided
- 24 cloves garlic, peeled
- ⅓ cup white wine
- ⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
How to Make Pioneer Woman Cornish Game Hens
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Prepare Hens: Pat hens dry with paper towels. Rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
- Stuff Hens: Insert a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary into each cavity.
- Roast with Garlic: Arrange hens in a roasting pan. Scatter garlic cloves around them. Roast for 25 minutes.
- Mix Sauce: Combine wine, chicken broth, and remaining olive oil.
- Reduce Temp: Lower oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour wine mixture over hens. Continue roasting for about 25 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.
- Check Doneness: Hens are ready when internal temp at the thickest part hits 165°F.
- Make Pan Sauce: Transfer hens to a platter. Simmer pan juices and garlic in a saucepan for 6 minutes until thickened.
- Serve: Halve hens lengthwise. Spoon sauce and roasted garlic over the top. Garnish with rosemary.
Expert Tips
- Dry for Crispy Skin: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Always pat hens dry before roasting.
- Flavor Twist: Swap lemon for orange or try thyme instead of rosemary.
- Make Ahead: Season and stuff the hens up to a day ahead and refrigerate.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the easiest way to avoid overcooked poultry.
Recipe Variations
- Herb Butter Hens: Rub under the skin with garlic-herb butter for rich flavor.
- Maple-Dijon Glaze: Brush with a mix of maple syrup and Dijon mustard.
- Spiced Hens: Add smoked paprika, cayenne, and thyme to the rub.
- Stuffed Hens: Fill cavities with a wild rice or bread stuffing.
- Orange Rosemary Hens: Use orange instead of lemon for a citrusy variation.
Storage Instructions
- In the Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- In the Freezer: Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap, then freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
- Oven: Reheat in a covered baking dish at 325°F for 5–10 minutes.
- Microwave: Use medium power in 1-minute intervals until warm.
- Air-Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes until heated through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I roast Cornish hens without stuffing them?
Yes, stuffing is optional. You can skip it and just season the hens. - How do I prevent them from drying out?
Baste regularly with pan juices and tent with foil if needed. - Can I use dried rosemary?
Yes, substitute 1/3 the amount of dried rosemary for fresh. - How do I make the skin crispy?
Pat the hens dry before seasoning and roasting. High initial heat helps too. - Can I prep them ahead of time?
Yes, prep and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking.
More Pioneer Woman Recipe:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
- Pioneer Woman Burrito Bowls
- Pioneer Woman Mexican Cornbread Casserole
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 814
- Fat: 58g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 340mg
- Sodium: 1383mg
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 0g
- Protein: 59g
- Calcium: 93mg
- Iron: 3mg
- Potassium: 929mg
Pioneer Woman Cornish Game Hens
Description
Roasted Cornish hens with garlic, rosemary, lemon, and white wine—a gourmet-style meal that’s simple to prepare and perfect for special dinners.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Rub the Cornish hens with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and lightly season them with salt and pepper.
- Stuff each hen cavity with 1 lemon quarter and 1 sprig of rosemary.
- Place the hens in a large roasting pan and arrange the peeled garlic cloves around them.
- Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- While the hens are roasting, whisk together the white wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small bowl.
- After 25 minutes, remove the hens from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Pour the wine mixture over the hens and return them to the oven.
- Continue roasting the hens, basting them with the pan juices every 10 minutes, until they are golden brown and the juices run clear about 25 more minutes.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature near the bone reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
- Transfer the hens to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan, and discard the lemons and rosemary.
- Tent the hens with aluminum foil to keep them warm.
- Transfer the pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until reduced to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes.
- Cut the hens in half lengthwise and arrange two halves on each plate.
- Spoon the sauce and roasted garlic on top of the hens.
- Garnish with remaining rosemary sprigs and serve.
Notes
- Dry for Crispy Skin: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Always pat hens dry before roasting.
Flavor Twist: Swap lemon for orange or try thyme instead of rosemary.
Make Ahead: Season and stuff the hens up to a day ahead and refrigerate.
Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the easiest way to avoid overcooked poultry.
Pioneer Woman Cornish Game Hens
