Unveiling the Perfect Cornish Hen: A Step-by-Step Guide

This Cornish Hen Recipe is coated in a garlic and herb rub and roasted until golden brown for the perfect main entrée for any occasion. I absolutely love the simplicity of preparing these and their wonderful flavors.
Ingredients for this recipe:
• 2 thawed Cornish Hens
• 1 finely grated garlic clove
• zest of 1 lemon
• 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon regular paprika
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Serves 2 to 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 60 minutes
Procedures:
1. Preheat the oven to 425°.
2. Pat the hens dry inside the cavity and outside with paper towels. Set them aside.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the garlic, lemon zest, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and oil until combined.
4. Evenly divide the garlic and herb rub between the hens and coat them on all sides and in the cavity.
5. Tuck the wings behind the hen and tie the drums together using butcher’s twine.
6. Transfer them to a roasting pan on a rack, and using a spatula, scrape all the remaining herb and garlic oil and rub onto the top of the hens.
7. Bake in the oven on a lower rack at 425° for 50-60 minutes or until the thickest part of the breast reads 163° to 165°.
8. Remove the game hens and rest for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Cut the hens in half along with the spice, or serve them whole with optional garnishes of lemons, fresh rosemary, and thyme. Try serving this with my Roasted Red Potatoes and Green Beans Almondine.

[@marysharon9186]

Grew up with just momma and me. We always had Cornish hens for Thanksgiving. I didn't learn to roast a turkey till I was married and she showed me how. 18 pound turkey didn't fit my apartment oven. So she sat on it to flatten it had 1" of head room.😂 I am 74 I'll never forget that Thanksgiving.

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@yselalcala3271]

That’s a beautiful and silly memory . Thanks for sharing Happy Thanksgiving 😊

[@m.theresa1385]

What a great memory ! It’s very visual - it must have been hilarious 😹

[@marysharon9186]

@@m.theresa1385 definitely was a sight. Had his family over to our tiny house. But it was enlightening lol

[@johnreeves8156]

This just looks too damn good to pass up. I can see doing this possibly as early as the Sunday after thanksgiving.

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Nice!

[@matthewjamesduffy]

Chef you crushed it with this one, it's been a while since i've cooked Cornish Hen but i'll def be putting it on the family menu after watching this!

[@earthangel2590]

I fixed your recipe today for Thanksgiving for me and a friend! Everything was Delish!!!! Thx!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Thanks for giving it a shot!!

[@brendariver9701]

OMG, fantastic presentation, the side dishes were just perfect too! The green beans, just beautiful! I was only looking online to see how folks were cooking the hens, but you gave so much more in your demo! Thank you!

[@montymonto6430]

Excellent. This looks beautiful. You make simple yet elegant dishes that are also pretty healthy.

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Thanks for watching!

[@carmgirl-dm3ms]

You are a great chef and I love your recipes.

[@caseyfeskens]

So happy to see this. I've been thinking about cornish hens as I haven't made them in years and started making stuffed hens in college and it quickly became a stand-out recipe for friends or date night. Will have to try again.

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Thanks for watching!

[@fanofcanes44]

Many thanks in 2023 for your Video share, thought I would try something different for the holidays . Your recipes are beautiful and helpful. Thanks

[@MariaAOlivo]

Everything look so good!!!!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Thanks for watching!

[@eddiewilson8119]

Thank you so much for sharing this video and it looks so delicious 😋!!!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@cursillista3]

Beautiful!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Many thanks!

[@DonnaLenau-ur1xd]

Making these today . Thanks for sharing ! ,

[@janeybakarbessy2330]

Chef, thank you so much for this great and easy recipe and not needed to go all the way. Definitely gonna make this one as I am a flight attendant and this year my roster says that I need to fly and this is a great option. Thanks Chef!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@bellaferman]

Looks perfect! Good job!

[@paulwilson3434]

❤thank you we are to have for Christmas. You are a great teacher !!!

[@Donaldopato]

I don't split mine, stuff with a bit of onion and Rosemary. Splitting to serve is fine but roast whole!. Your rub looks incredible. Thanks Chef!❤

[@vinitapatel4467]

Will definitely try! Thanks

[@noreenhallett7366]

Yummy. Just the thing for Christmas. I’m going to be on my own so one of these would be perfect

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Perfect!

[@noreenhallett7366]

@@ChefBillyParisi and not a scrap of cheese anywhere. Thank goodness. (I’m lactose intolerant)

[@ITreasureMEAromatherapy]

Looks delish! Thanks much!

[@jillgreen5288]

Thanks Chef!

[@bakingnanaskitchen4799]

Many years ago between college and work schedule I couldn't go home. I picked up a couple of Cornish game hens to make for Thanksgiving. I had no idea that they would take so long to defrost. I ended up floating them in cool water for ages. Lesson learned, they need a solid 3 days to fully defrost in the fridge.

[@jonathanpopulin5783]

Teste awesome ❤

[@robertborberg6427]

Really love all the content you’ve been putting out actually quite a number of recipes all has been on point……. I was wondering if you could do a video on the preparation and or different techniques on how to prepare chestnuts?

[@KingGeneral21]

To take this to the next level, intead of olive oil, use unmelted butter, get the mixture and stuff it in-between the skin and meat. Separate the skin by using an upside down spoon. Then heat the rest of the mixture so It's softened the butter and rub all over the outside.

[@MarkCexplorer]

BOOM!

[@user-vp4ti5fz5b]

You are my cooking teacher. Thank you so much for sharing. Merry Christmas and happy New year😊😊😊 ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

[@inocenciotensygarcia1012]

I love how you cook.I have never cooked Cornish.I tasted it before from a friend who cooks delicious.I’m going to prepare everything you showed us here.I’ll make a video for my KZbin channel and let my viewers know that it was executed with your help through your channel. My channel is called:Chef Garcia from Hollywood. Thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

[@inocenciotensygarcia1012]

Thank you my friend.

[@trishamorris5097]

Looks delish! I usually wing my Cornish hen recipes. Will try yours. Where the baking pan from?

[@JayInHiding]

Chef, hear me out. I’m going to have to try the potatoes with the dill. Have you ever tried McCormick Grill Mates steak seasoning on potatoes? It’s my go to with some olive oil.

[@ChefBillyParisi]

I’ve not.

[@pamtibbett3414]

Chef Billy what cookware would you recommend. Safe cooking

[@ChefBillyParisi]

I like Made-In, DeBuyer, All-Clad, Paderno, and LeCreuset.

[@pamtibbett3414]

@@ChefBillyParisi thank you!

[@ncflows1536]

60 minutes for the little birds ?!

[@wl9121]

Billy!!

[@ChefBillyParisi]

Yes?

[@Steve-mp7by]

So glad I'm vegan

[@georgek3398]

Why ?

[@Steve-mp7by]

@@georgek3398 meat is garbage

[@brentfrank7012]

I think this might work for Quail!! 🪺