Roasted Cornish Hens

5 from 1 vote
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

If you’re looking for a showstopper dinner that’s big on flavor and low on hassle, these Roasted Cornish Hens have you covered. I season these little birds with a homemade compound butter packed with cajun spices, garlic, honey, and fresh herbs. In the end you get crispy, golden skin and juicy, tender meat that’s bursting with flavor. Pair with my Soul Food Collard Greens and you’re in for a treat!

Roasted Cornish hens with compound butter, surrounded by fresh herbs.

If you love this recipe check out my Buttermilk Cornish Hens .

What are Cornish hens?

Cornish hens are a smaller breed of chicken because they are harvested at 5-6 weeks, typically weighing between one to two pounds. They’re known for their tender, juicy meat and mild flavor, making them perfect for individual servings or smaller gatherings. Unlike regular chicken, these little birds cook faster and make for an elegant presentation when roasted whole.

Roasted Cornish hens with compound butter, surrounded by fresh herbs.

Ingredients for roasted Cornish hens

Ingredients cut up for roasted Cornish hens.

Oven Prep:

  • Lemon slices: Adds brightness and acidity to balance the richness of the hens.
  • Onion: Gives a savory base flavor that enhances the dish.
  • Fresh garlic: Infuses the roasting dish with a bold garlic aroma.
  • Potatoes: Roast alongside the hens, soaking up all those flavorful juices.
  • Fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs: Add an earthy aroma and bring out the herbs in the compound butter.

Chicken:

  • Cornish hens: Small, tender, and perfect for a beautifully roasted presentation.
  • Salt & pepper: Essential for enhancing the natural flavors of the hens.
Ingredients for compound butter for roasted Cornish hens.

Compound Butter:

  • Cajun seasoning: Adds a warm, spicy kick to the butter and chicken.
  • Lemon pepper seasoning: Brings a citrusy zing and peppery heat.
  • Honey: Balances the savory and spicy notes with a touch of sweetness.
  • Paprika: Adds color and a mild smoky flavor to the dish.
  • Red pepper flakes: Adds extra heat for those who love a bit of spice.
  • Garlic: Packs bold, savory flavor right into the butter.
  • Rosemary: Complements the fresh herbs in the roasting dish and infuses the butter with earthy flavor.
  • Unsalted butter: Keeps the chicken moist and imparts rich, buttery flavor.

How to roast Cornish hens

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease an oven-safe dish, then layer lemon slices, onion, garlic, potatoes, and herbs.

Sliced lemon, potatoes, garlic, onions and herbs in a glass baking dish.

Pat the hens dry, remove the backbones, and press to flatten. Take out any feathers that might be in the hens still. Make sure the hens are completely dry! Rub with salt and pepper.

Spatchcock Cornish hens with salt and pepper.

In a small bowl mix together all the ingredients for the compound butter.

Compound butter in a bowl.

Then generously coat with the compound butter, making sure to get under the breast skin. Gently lift up the skin to do this. It’s okay if the butter doesn’t spread easily. I like to pat it all around as best as I can. This is why I like to let the hens sit out a bit so they aren’t so cold, it makes it easier to put the butter on.

Cornish hens on top of herbs, lemon and potatoes with compound butter.

Roast for 50 minutes, basting every 15 minutes, until the hens reach an internal temperature of 165°F. It may take longer but remember the temperature will still rise once out the over for a few minutes, so taking it out at 160 should be fine. I highly suggest using an oven safe thermometer for this.

Roasted Cornish hens with compound butter, surrounded by potatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Commonly Asked Questions

What are good sides for Cornish hens?

These hens pair perfectly with roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.

How long do leftovers last?

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain the crispy skin.

How do I know when my Cornish hens are done?

They’re fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Use an oven-safe thermometer to track the temperature while they roast.

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Roasted Cornish hens with compound butter, surrounded by fresh herbs.
5 from 1 vote

Roasted Cornish Hens

By August DeWindt
Cornish hens seasoned with compound butter and roasted to golden, juicy perfection. Perfect for the holiday's or a Sunday family dinner.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 27 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

Oven prep:

  • ½ lemon , cut into slices
  • 1 yellow Onion , cut into quarters
  • 4 cloves garlic , smashed
  • 4 Potatoes , quartered, red or yellow
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • 3 sprigs rosemary

Chicken:

  • 2 cornish hens, giblets removed, over 1.5lbs at least
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper , to taste

Compound butter:

  • 2 tsp cajun seasoning
  • ½ tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 tsp rosemary, chopped
  • 1 stick unsalted butter , softened

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Grease an oven safe dish with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Add all the oven prep ingredients to the dish and spread out.
  • Pat dry the hens and cut the back bone out. Then gently press down on the breast to flatten the hen. Sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste. If your cajun seasoning's first ingredient is salt, you don’t need to add too much salt during this step. Let the hens sit out for about 10 minutes, if it’s too cold it's a bit harder to spread the compound butter on it.
  • In a bowl combine the ingredients for the compound butter and mix together until smooth. Lift the breast skin and add some butter underneath. Then spread the remaining butter all over the Cornish hens.
  • Place the hens in the prepared oven safe dish. Roast in the oven for 50 minutes, basting every 15 minutes. The meat should be 165 degrees when done. I highly suggest using an oven safe thermometer to monitor the temperature while the hens are roasting.
  • Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Video

Notes

If using an oven safe thermometer, stick it in the thickest part of the thigh meat. 
This will serve 2-4 people. Two with leftovers. Some people will serve a whole bird per person, but I think half is fine. 

Nutrition

Calories: 647kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 1549mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 993IU | Vitamin C: 55mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: August DeWindt
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Course: Dinner, holiday
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 647
Keyword: Chicken, One pan, thanksgiving
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!






About August DeWindt

Welcome to There’s Food at Home! I’m so glad you are here on my little corner of the internet. Here you will find easy to follow, mainly small batch recipes with accessible ingredients.


Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




2 Comments