Roasted Cornish Hens

5 from 1 vote

Make perfectly roasted Cornish hens with crispy skin and tender meat using this easy oven recipe. A beautiful dinner for any occasion.

Prep Time10

Cook Time50

Course: dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 597kcal

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
Rinse the Cornish hens under cold water, inside and out, then pat them completely dry with paper towels.
Place the hens on the roasting rack, breast-side up.
Rub vegetable oil over the front and back of each hen to help the skin crisp.
Carefully loosen the skin over the breast and slide slices of butter underneath.
Season the entire hen generously with garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, and seasoning salt.
Arrange the hens evenly in the pan so air can circulate around each one.
Place the pan in the oven and roast for 50 minutes to 1 hour, depending on size.
Check doneness using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F–175°F in the thickest part of the breast.
Remove from the oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Dry the Skin: Patting the game hens dry helps achieve crispy and golden skin.

Use a Meat Thermometer: To cook Cornish hens in the oven, roast at 400°F for 50–60 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Check the internal temperature; it should reach 165-175°F.

Let the Hen Rest: Allowing the cornish game hen to rest will ensure the juices redistribute before slicing.