Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens Recipe

Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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When I make these succulent stuffed Cornish hens, my husband's only complaint is that he gets full before he's ready to quit eating!

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Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens Recipe

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 70 min. + chilling

Yield: 2 Servings

35 70 105

Ingredients

3 bacon strips, diced
1/2 cup finely shredded carrot
1/4 cup chopped onion
1-1/2 cups unseasoned stuffing cubes
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried savory
Dash pepper
3/4 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules, divided
2 tablespoons hot water
2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine or apple juice
2 tablespoons plus 2/3 cup orange juice, divided
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

In a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels. In the drippings, saute carrot and onion until tender; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in stuffing cubes, parsley, savory, pepper and bacon.
Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon bouillon in hot water; pour over stuffing mixture and gently toss to moisten. Spoon into hens. Tie legs of each hen together; turn wings under backs.
Place on a greased rack in a roasting pan. Lightly brush hens with oil; loosely cover with foil. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the wine or apple juice, 2 tablespoons orange juice and butter. Bring to a boil; remove from the heat. Set aside 1/4 cup for sauce and keep warm.
Brush remaining glaze over hens. Bake 40-50 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear and a meat thermometer inserted into stuffing reads 165°, brushing every 15 minutes with glaze.
For sauce, in a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cornstarch, and remaining bouillon and orange juice until smooth. Stir in reserved glaze. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with hens. Yield: 2 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 Cornish hen equals 2,182 calories, 147 g fat (43 g saturated fat), 855 mg cholesterol, 1,347 mg sodium, 53 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 148 g protein.

Originally published as Orange-Glazed Cornish Hens in Taste of Home's Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook Annual 2004, p186