Description
Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are a cozy, elegant dinner made with tender roasted hens, savory herb stuffing, onion, celery, garlic, and buttery bread cubes. This stuffed Cornish game hens recipe is perfect for holidays, date nights, and family dinners when you want a flavorful roast poultry dish that looks impressive and tastes comforting.
Ingredients
2 Cornish game hens
3 cups seasoned bread stuffing cubes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 small onion, finely diced
2 celery stalks, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 lemon, halved
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a roasting pan or baking dish.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then cook the onion and celery until softened.
3. Stir in the garlic, thyme, sage, and parsley, and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Place the stuffing cubes in a large bowl and mix in the cooked vegetables.
5. Pour in the chicken broth gradually and stir until the stuffing is moist but not soggy.
6. Pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels.
7. Rub the hens with olive oil and season them all over with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
8. Place one lemon half inside each cavity.
9. Loosely fill each hen with the stuffing mixture.
10. Put the hens breast side up in the prepared baking dish.
11. Roast for 55 to 70 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
12. Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
For the best texture, do not pack the stuffing too tightly inside the hens.
If you have extra stuffing, bake it in a separate greased dish during the last 25 to 30 minutes of roasting.
Loosely tent the hens with foil if the skin starts browning too quickly before the inside is fully cooked.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hen
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 67g
- Cholesterol: 295mg