Cornish Hen Cornish Game Hen Baked Cornish Hen

Published Apr 30, 2020 Updated Aug 27, 2024

Cornish Hen Recipe

What is a cornish hen? In the United States, cornish game hen (USDA approved name) is also called rock cornish hen. It’s a type of small chicken, produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds. They are small, young and immature hens, with an average weight of less than 2 lbs each. The meat is tender, juicy, and much better than turkey and even chicken. This crispy roasted and baked cornish hen is perfect for holidays. It’s also great for dinner tonight!

Cornish Game Hen

They are widely available in the frozen food section or poultry section of food stores and supermarkets. They are vacuum-packed in a small plastic wrapped package. They are also labeled as Rock Cornish Game Hen. They are sold without giblets, so cooking cornish hens are quick and easy.

Cornish Hen Ingredients

My baked recipe calls for the following marinade ingredients:

Garlic Butter or extra virgin olive oil Honey Sambal oelek Salt

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.

How To Cook Cornish Hen

The easiest way to cook is to bake it in the oven. First, thaw the hen to room temperature. Make sure you pat dry the entire hen with paper towels, including inside the cavity. Next, marinate it with garlic, butter (or extra virgin olive oil), honey and sambal oelek. If you don’t have sambal oelek, you can use any dry spices such as chili powder or smoked paprika. You can also use any hot sauce such as Tabasco, Louisiana hot sauce, Sriracha or anything you have on hand. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). How long to cook cornish hens? For this recipe, it takes 60 minutes to cook it in the oven. This recipe yields crispy skin, with juicy, moist, tender and flavorful meat. It’s the best!

What To Serve With This Recipe

This recipe is best served as the main dish. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.