Best Cornish Hen Recipe

Master the Best Cornish Hen Recipe with this easy, one-pot method featuring earthy porcini mushrooms, elephant garlic, and roasted root vegetables for a gourmet family dinner.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Add to Collection

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American, Easy

Keyword: Best Chicken Seasoning, Best Cornish Hen Recipe, Cornish Hens, One Pan Chicken Dinner, Roasted Game Hen

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1

Resting Time: 15

Total Time: 1 25

Servings: People

Calories: 875kcal

Author: Julietkitchen By Chef Yasmin

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Seasoning

1/4 cup Dried Porcini Mushrooms about 1 small handful of
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
1 elephant garlic grated (or 6-8 large garlic cloves)
4 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs equal portions of sage and rosemary
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

For the Vegetables

1 pound baby yellow gold potatoes rinsed
7-8 large tri-color carrots rinsed and peeled
1 large red onion peeled and quartered
1 large lemon quartered

For the Chicken

4 1/2 pounds cornish hens - 3 Cornish hens about 1 1/2 pounds each

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Make the Marinade

Add, the dried mushrooms and peppercorns into a nut grinder. Grind into a powder.
1/4 cup Dried Porcini Mushrooms, 2 teaspoons black peppercorns
Transfer the mushroom peppercorn powder into a small mixing bowl. Add the garlic, herbs, salt, lemon juice and oil. Mix to combine into a loose paste.
1 elephant garlic, 4 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Preheat the oven 425F Degrees Fahrenheit. And season the Cornish hens and vegetables

Add the potatoes, carrots and onions, into a deep 6-quart sauté pan that has a lid. Season the vegetables with 1-2 tablespoons of the marinade.
1 pound baby yellow gold potatoes, 7-8 large tri-color carrots, 1 large red onion
Spread the vegetables on the bottom of the pan. Add the Cornish hens. Season them all over and inside the cavities with the remaining marinade. Tuck the hens in between the vegetables as best as possible. Add the lemons. Cover the pan with a tight lid. Tuck the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Uncover and roast for 10 - 15 minutes to get the skin golden.
4 1/2 pounds cornish hens, 1 large lemon

Temp the chicken once uncovered - it will most likely be about 145 - 150 internal temperature. Then continue to roast it with the cover open.

Remove the pan and serve as desired.

Video

Nutrition