Oven Roasted Cornish Hens

This easy cornish hen recipe roasts the petite poultry with warm and inviting herbs and spices, giving you crispy and juicy results every time. It’s an impressive dish that needs very little prep. Watch the video below to see how I make this in my kitchen.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 5

Servings servings

Calories 285kcal

Author Arman Liew

Ingredients

1 cornish hen 1 1/2 pounds approx.
2 sprigs fresh Rosemary
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 small lemon sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Cornish hen dry rub

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 210C/425F.
Make the dry rub by mixing the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
Pat dry the Cornish hen and generously season with the prepared spice rub.
Add rosemary, thyme, and lemon slices into a roasting pan. Add the Cornish hen to the roasting dish and drizzle it with olive oil.
Roast the Cornish hen for 1 hour or until the thickest part reaches 165F.
Remove the Cornish hen from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Use other seasonings: You can swap the seasonings in the recipe for a poultry seasoning blend or your favorite chicken dry rub instead.
Add marinade: For a flavorful twist, try marinating the cornish hen for 1 to 4 hours in my 4-ingredient chicken marinade, chicken drumstick marinade, or chicken thigh marinade.
Storage. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat the hen in the oven for the extra crispy skin.

Nutrition