Herbed Cornish Hens

Total Time Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour
Yield 6 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
The refreshing sauce Mom makes with thyme, lemon juice and butter gives these Cornish hens savory flavor throughout. The seasonings in this recipe also work great on a whole roasted chicken. Either way, the result is a mouthwatering feast. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina

Ingredients

  • 6 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
  • 1-1/8 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Place the hens on a wire rack in a large roasting pan. In a bowl, combine lemon juice, butter, paprika and 1 teaspoon each of thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder. Pour half over the hens; set the remaining mixture aside for basting. Combine salt, pepper and remaining thyme, seasoned salt and garlic powder; sprinkle over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes. Baste with reserved lemon juice mixture. Bake 30 minutes longer, basting occasionally, or until the meat is tender and juices run clear.

Nutrition Facts

1 hen: 910 calories, 72g fat (28g saturated fat), 412mg cholesterol, 770mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 60g protein.

The refreshing sauce Mom makes with thyme, lemon juice and butter gives these Cornish hens savory flavor throughout. The seasonings in this recipe also work great on a whole roasted chicken. Either way, the result is a mouthwatering feast. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Recipe Creator

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