Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
How do you keep Cornish hens from drying out?
Pat dry with paper towels. If you prefer crisp skin, place the hens on a tray or in a baking dish and refrigerate overnight so the skin dries out. This will also help seal in the juices and keep the meat moist. You can remove the skin after roasting if desired.
Do you cook Cornish hens breast up or down?
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. …
- Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
How long do you keep Cornish hens in the oven?
Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.
How many Cornish hens can you cook at once?
There is a small amount of meat to bone with Cornish hens, so plan on one per person for a generous serving. If you’d like to split them in half for two servings, the easiest way is to turn them over so they are breast side down.
Is a Cornish hen a baby chicken?
The United States Department of Agriculture describes the Rock Cornish Game Hen or Cornish Game Hen as “a young immature chicken (less than five weeks of age), weighing not more than two pounds ready-to-cook weight, which was prepared from a Cornish chicken or the progeny of a Cornish chicken crossed with another breed …
How much is a Cornish hen?
On average, you can typically purchase a Cornish Game hen for between $2.50 and $5 per pound. This cost will depend on where you purchase it, the size of the hen and if a promotion is being held.
How do you know when a Cornish hen is done?
Roasting Cornish hens on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet also helps elevate the birds so that the thighs cook as quickly as the breasts. Cornish hens are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and their juices run clear.
Can you cook Cornish hens frozen?
To cook cornish game hens from frozen, let fully defrost before cooking for the best results. I let my cornish game hens defrost in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Be sure to thoroughly pat dry hens before roasting in the oven to ensure skin can crisp and become golden brown.
How do you defrost a Cornish hen?
How to Prepare Cornish Hens
- Refrigerator Defrosting: To thaw, place frozen bird in the refrigerator and let set for at least 24 hours. Once thawed, cook within a day or two.
- Quick-Thaw Defrosting: Submerge frozen bird in a bowl of cool water. Refresh water every 30 minutes.
How much does a Cornish game hen weigh?
Bred to develop a large breast over a short period of time, the fowl weighs roughly 2.5 pounds (1.1 kilograms) when slaughtered at four to six weeks of age and typically commands a higher price per pound than mature chicken.