Cornish Hens With Tomato, Basil And Lemon Stuffing

chefs-mate chefs-mate 0 Comments
Servings: 8 Difficulty: Intermediate
Jump To Recipe Print Recipe
Tender roasted birds filled with a bright, aromatic mixture of fresh basil, juicy tomatoes, and zesty lemon.
Cornish Hens With Tomato, Basil and Lemon Stuffing recipe image

These Cornish hens are the perfect centerpiece for a festive dinner or a special weekend meal. The small size of the birds ensures they cook evenly and quickly, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy skin. The stuffing is a vibrant blend of sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and sharp lemon juice, which infuses the cavity with aromatic flavors as it roasts. Fragrant garlic and rosemary add depth, while a touch of olive oil keeps everything moist. This dish balances the richness of the poultry with the acidity and freshness of the Mediterranean-inspired filling. It’s elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a home cook to master. Serve with roasted potatoes or a light green salad to complete the meal.

Cornish Hens With Tomato, Basil and Lemon Stuffing recipe image
Print Recipe

Cornish Hens With Tomato, Basil And Lemon Stuffing

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 8 Calories: 86.0

Description

These Cornish hens are the perfect centerpiece for a festive dinner or a special weekend meal. The small size of the birds ensures they cook evenly and quickly, resulting in tender, juicy meat with crispy skin. The stuffing is a vibrant blend of sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and sharp lemon juice, which infuses the cavity with aromatic flavors as it roasts. Fragrant garlic and rosemary add depth, while a touch of olive oil keeps everything moist. This dish balances the richness of the poultry with the acidity and freshness of the Mediterranean-inspired filling. It&# 226;ÂÂs elegant enough for guests but simple enough for a home cook to master. Serve with roasted potatoes or a light green salad to complete the meal.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400ðF (200ðC). Prepare French roasted garlic by peeling outer skin from garlic cloves and setting aside.
  2. Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels and rinse if necessary. Season the cavity and outside with lemon pepper and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, combine fresh lemon juice, olive oil, chopped fresh basil, quartered cherry tomatoes, chopped fennel, quartered shallots, and quartered garlic cloves.
  4. Stuff each hen cavity generously with the tomato and herb mixture. Tuck wing tips under the body and secure legs with kitchen twine if desired.
  5. Place hens breast-side up on a roasting rack. Insert bay leaves and fresh rosemary sprigs into the cavities for extra aroma.
  6. Roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ðF (74ðC) and juices run clear.
  7. Remove hens from oven and let them rest, covered loosely with foil, for 15 minutes before carving and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Amount Per Serving
Calories 86.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.4g3%
Saturated Fat 0.2g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 15.0mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 19.0g7%
Dietary Fiber 2.4g10%
Sugars 3.2g
Protein 3.4g7%

* 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 hens, roasted chicken, lemon basil, tomato stuffing, game hens, french cuisine, holiday dinner, garlic rosemary, party food, easy roast, fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes
Recipe Card powered by WP Delicious