Herbed Cornish Hens
The refreshing sauce Mom makes with thyme, lemon juice and butter gives these hens savory flavor throughout. The seasonings in this recipe also work great on a whole roasted chicken. Either way, the result is a mouth-watering feast.
-Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
6 ServingsPrep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 6 Cornish game hens (about 20 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
- 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.
- Yield: 6 servings.
Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 460 calories, 40 g fat (19 g saturated fat), 185 mg cholesterol, 708 mg sodium, 4 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 22 g protein.