Baked Cornish Game Hens Recipe

Juicy and flavorful baked Cornish game hens, infused with a zesty lemon herb butter. This easy recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in under 70 minutes! Perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 70 mins
Calories 485.1 kcal
Protein 96g
Rating 4.4 (17 Reviews)
Baked Cornish Game Hens 83

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Baked Cornish Game Hens

  • 2 (1 1/4 - 1 1/2 pound) Cornish game hens
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
  • 0 garlic cloves
  • zest from 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

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How to Make Baked Cornish Game Hens

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, zest and juice one lemon. Finely chop 2 tablespoons of fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley).
  4. Combine melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Rinse and pat dry two Cornish game hens. Place hens in a baking dish.
  6. Rub the lemon herb butter generously all over the hens, under the skin if desired.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, basting with pan juices every 10-15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

13 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

83g

Carbs

0g