Discover the ultimate recipe for Stuffed Cornish Game Hens, a dish that turns any dinner into an elegant affair. Perfectly roasted and packed with a savory wild rice and cranberry stuffing, this meal is surprisingly simple to prepare. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a holiday table or a special weekend dinner, delivering that “wow” factor with minimal fuss. If you’re looking to impress your guests with a sophisticated and delicious main course, you’ve found the perfect recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Cornish Game Hens Recipe
This isn’t just another poultry recipe; it’s an experience. Each hen serves as a personal-sized portion, making everyone at the table feel special. The skin roasts to a beautiful, crispy golden-brown while the meat remains incredibly juicy and tender. The real star, however, is the stuffing—a delightful mix of earthy wild rice, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy pecans, all seasoned with aromatic herbs. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can proudly make in your own kitchen.
- Perfectly Portioned: One hen per person makes for an elegant and easy-to-serve main course.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory herbs, rich butter, and a flavorful stuffing ensures every bite is delicious.
- Surprisingly Simple: Despite its gourmet appearance, the process is straightforward and perfect for enthusiastic home cooks.
- Visually Stunning: These golden-roasted birds make a beautiful presentation, ideal for holidays and special occasions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather your ingredients. Using high-quality, fresh components is key to creating the best Stuffed Cornish Game Hens. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Cornish Hens:
- Cornish Game Hens: Two 1.5 lb hens, giblets removed and patted dry.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted, for brushing the skin to achieve that perfect golden color.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for the outer rub.
For the Wild Rice Stuffing:
- Wild Rice Blend: A blend of wild and brown rice provides a wonderful texture.
- Chicken Broth: Used to cook the rice for extra flavor.
- Vegetables: Onion, celery, and carrots create the aromatic base.
- Dried Cranberries: For a touch of sweetness and festive color.
- Pecans: Toasted and chopped, adding a delightful crunch.
- Herbs: Fresh thyme and sage are essential for that classic poultry seasoning flavor.
How to Make Stuffed Cornish Game Hens
Follow these steps to create a memorable meal. We’ll start by making the flavorful stuffing and then move on to preparing and roasting the hens to perfection.
Step 1: Prepare the Wild Rice Stuffing
First, cook the wild rice blend in chicken broth according to package directions. While the rice cooks, sauté the diced onion, celery, and carrots in a pan with a little butter until softened. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and combine it with the sautéed vegetables, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, fresh thyme, and sage. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2: Prepare and Stuff the Hens
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Make sure your Cornish hens are completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels; this is crucial for crispy skin. Season the cavity of each hen generously with salt and pepper. Loosely pack the wild rice stuffing into each hen. Do not overstuff, as the rice will expand slightly during cooking. Any leftover stuffing can be baked in a separate small dish. For another fantastic poultry dish, check out our Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
Step 3: Roast to Perfection
Place the stuffed hens in a roasting pan or a large oven-safe skillet. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Brush this mixture generously all over the skin of the hens. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine to help the hens cook evenly and hold their shape. Roast for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear. Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Tips for the Perfect Cornish Hens
Achieving a flawless result is easy with a few expert tips. Follow these suggestions to ensure your Stuffed Cornish Game Hens are the star of the show.
- Don’t Skip Patting Dry: A dry hen is a crispy hen. Moisture is the enemy of golden-brown skin.
- Season Liberally: Be generous with your seasonings both inside the cavity and on the skin for the most flavor.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the most reliable way to ensure your hens are cooked through without being overdone.
- Let It Rest: Resting the meat is a non-negotiable step for juicy, tender results.
What to Serve with Stuffed Cornish Hens
These hens pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. For a classic meal, serve them alongside Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes (coming soon) and a green vegetable like Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts. A simple green salad with a vinaigrette also works beautifully to cut through the richness of the dish.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the hen in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist, and cover with foil. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave it, but the oven method is best for maintaining texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can prepare the stuffing a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, for food safety reasons, you should not stuff the hens until just before you are ready to roast them.
Absolutely! While we love this wild rice version, you can use a traditional bread stuffing, a cornbread stuffing, or even a vegetable-based stuffing. Just be sure not to pack it too tightly.
Trussing (tying the legs together) is highly recommended. It helps the hens cook more evenly, prevents the stuffing from falling out, and results in a more attractive, compact presentation.
A Cornish game hen is a specific breed of broiler chicken that is smaller and younger than a typical chicken, usually weighing between one and two pounds. This makes them perfect for individual servings.
The safe internal temperature for Cornish game hens is 165°F (74°C). Be sure to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching the bone, for an accurate reading.
More Dinner Ideas to Explore
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love some of our other dinner favorites. Try our comforting Classic Beef Stew Recipe for a hearty meal, or our quick and easy Honey Garlic Salmon Bites for a busy weeknight.
Share Your Culinary Creations!
We hope you love this recipe for Stuffed Cornish Game Hens as much as we do. It’s a true delight that’s perfect for making any occasion feel special. If you make this dish, we’d love to see it! Please leave a comment below or share a photo on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations inspire us!
Stuffed Cornish Game Hens Recipe
Stuffed Cornish Game Hens with Wild Rice and Cranberry
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the wild rice blend in chicken broth according to package instructions. While the rice cooks, sauté the onion, celery, and carrots in a skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sautéed vegetables, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, thyme, and sage. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Season the cavities generously with salt and pepper. Loosely fill each hen with the wild rice stuffing.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Place the stuffed hens in a roasting pan. Brush the butter mixture all over the outside of the hens. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Roast for 50-60 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Notes
A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure the hens are perfectly cooked.
Letting the hens rest before carving is essential for juicy meat.
