Cornish Game Hens

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Servings: 4 Difficulty: Advanced
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Crispy-skinned game hens roasted with garlic, herbs, and a bright vermouth-orange glaze.
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These Cornish game hens are a perfect centerpiece for a special dinner or a festive holiday meal. The birds are spatchcocked for even cooking and seared to develop a deep, savory crust before finishing in the oven. A aromatic marinade of dried dill, oregano, and paprika infuses the meat with Mediterranean warmth, while a quick pan sauce of vermouth and orange juice adds a sophisticated, citrusy brightness. Garnished with toasted slivered almonds and fresh parsley, this dish offers a tender, juicy interior and a beautifully crisp exterior. It strikes the perfect balance between rustic comfort and elegant flavor, making it an impressive yet manageable recipe for entertaining.

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Cornish Game Hens

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Advanced
Servings: 4 Calories: 43.0

Description

These Cornish game hens are a perfect centerpiece for a special dinner or a festive holiday meal. The birds are spatchcocked for even cooking and seared to develop a deep, savory crust before finishing in the oven. A aromatic marinade of dried dill, oregano, and paprika infuses the meat with Mediterranean warmth, while a quick pan sauce of vermouth and orange juice adds a sophisticated, citrusy brightness. Garnished with toasted slivered almonds and fresh parsley, this dish offers a tender, juicy interior and a beautifully crisp exterior. It strikes the perfect balance between rustic comfort and elegant flavor, making it an impressive yet manageable recipe for entertaining.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ðF (175ðC).
  2. Remove the skin from the Cornish game hens and pat them dry with paper towels.
  3. Using kitchen shears, cut each hen in half lengthwise, removing and discarding the backbones.
  4. In a small bowl, combine dried dill weed, oregano, paprika, and black pepper.
  5. Season the hens generously on both sides with the herb and spice mixture.
  6. In a large non-stick skillet, heat virgin olive oil over medium-high heat.
  7. Sear the hens skin-side down for about 4 minutes, until golden brown, then flip and sear the other side for 2 minutes.
  8. Transfer the seared hens to a baking dish, skin-side up.
  9. Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic and chopped shallots to the skillet, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  10. Pour in the vermouth and orange juice concentrate, swirling to combine and deglaze the pan.
  11. Pour the liquid mixture evenly over the hens in the baking dish.
  12. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes, basting the hens with the pan juices halfway through.
  13. Increase the oven temperature to 425ðF (220ðC).
  14. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165ðF.
  15. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and toasted slivered almonds before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

Amount Per Serving
Calories 43.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.7g2%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 7.5mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 9.5g4%
Dietary Fiber 1.2g5%
Sugars 1.6g
Protein 1.7g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: cornish game hens, roasted chicken, mediterranean, garlic, herbs, vermouth, orange juice, spatchcock, dill, oregano, almonds, holiday dinner, entertaining, crispy skin, poultry, oven baked, pan sauce, main course, festive, family style
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