Pineapple-Stuffed Cornish Hens

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 1 hour 25 min.

Makes

2 servings

Updated: Sep. 22, 2022
My mother brought this recipe back with her from Hawaii about 25 years ago. The tender meat, pineapple-coconut stuffing and sweet-sour sauce made it a favorite of my family and friends. I keep copies of the recipe on hand to share. —Vicki Corners, Rock Island, Illinois
Pineapple-Stuffed Cornish Hens Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each)
  • 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
  • 3 cups cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes), crusts removed
  • 1 celery rib, chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2/3 cup butter, melted, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons steak sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

  1. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt inside hens; set aside. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, bread cubes, celery and coconut. Add 1/3 cup butter; toss to coat. Loosely stuff hens with mixture.
  2. Tuck wings under hens; tie legs together. Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan. Place remaining stuffing in a greased 1-1/2-cup baking dish; cover and set aside. Add poultry seasoning and remaining salt to remaining butter.
  3. Spoon some butter mixture over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes, basting twice with butter mixture.
  4. Add steak sauce and reserved pineapple juice to any remaining butter mixture; baste hens. Bake reserved stuffing with hens for 30 minutes, basting hens occasionally with remaining butter mixture.
  5. Uncover stuffing; bake 15-20 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 185° for hens and 165° for stuffing in hens. Remove hens from pan; keep warm.
  6. Pour drippings into a saucepan; skim fat. Combine cornstarch, brown sugar, water and lemon juice; add to the drippings. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with hens and stuffing.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed hen: 1343 calories, 82g fat (48g saturated fat), 465mg cholesterol, 2034mg sodium, 80g carbohydrate (40g sugars, 4g fiber), 72g protein.