Herbed Cornish Hens

Name: Herbed Cornish Hens
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings.
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

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 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

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.

Originally published as Herbed Cornish Hens in Taste of Home April/May 1998

Reviews

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Average Rating:

justmbeth

Mar 4, 2013

Chicken was very tender moist. Didn't have a great deal of flavor over that.
Brenda2772

Apr 15, 2012

I use this on chicken too.
Perticus

Aug 27, 2010

This dish was great. It didn't come out as golden as I had hoped but it tasted great. It was my first time making Cornish Hens and I used my own rice stuffing made with Turkey sausage, green peppers, onions and chicken broth.
stumpyiam

Jul 27, 2010

This was my and my husband's first experience with cornish hens, and they were fabulous! The herbs were absolutely wonderful, and the lemon juice was a fabulous background taste. Definitely a keeper!
williamsegraves

Apr 28, 2010

Simple, and a very tasty basting sauce!
volleyba

Feb 6, 2010

We made these for our Christmas Dinner and they were a big hit. Easy to make an very delicious!