• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Easy Recipes

    Juicy Cornish Game Hens

    Modified: Apr 23, 2023 · Published: Jan 21, 2014 by Ashley

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Truth be told, the one surefire way to get to my husband's heart is to pretty simple: roast a whole bird.

    Doesn't matter what type of bird, he's an equal opportunity fowl-eater. See the end of this post from 2009 for Exhibit A.

    We always keep it classy, obviously 😉

    Juicy Cornish Game Hens

    I've only cooked with Cornish Hens twice before, as they're sometimes difficult to come by. I prefer chicken or turkey, but I know that Dino absolutely loves these adorable little game hens.

    So when I found a pack of them on sale, I knew I had to snatch 'em up and get cookin'!

    This recipe was really easy to put together. The hardest part is cutting the hens in half. The spiced honey butter was incredibly flavorful, and the meat was nice and juicy. He absolutely loved this meal! I served it with Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash and a baby arugula salad.

    Juicy Cornish Game Hens

    Juicy Cornish Game Hens
    Food.com - Chuck in Killbuck

    Total Time: 1 hr
    Prep Time: 15 min
    Cook Time: 45 min
    Servings: 4

    4 tablespoons butter
    3 tablespoons honey
    4 teaspoons chili powder
    1 tablespoon orange juice
    2 Cornish hens, halved
    salt and pepper, to taste

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. Melt butter and stir in honey and chili powder; mixing well.
    3. Stir in orange juice, salt and pepper and remove from heat.
    4. Cut each hen into two halves.
    5. Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.
    6. Place hens in baking dish, skin side down, and place in oven for 6-8 minutes.
    7. Turn hens over and baste generously with all of the mixture.
    8. Bake for approximately 45 minutes or until well browned.

    Big Flavors Rating: 4 Stars

    More Easy Recipes

    • Bowl of sautéed shrimp with pickled onions, cilantro rice, guacamole, tomatoes, and sour cream.
      Shrimp Burrito Bowls
    • Chicken and bell pepper stir-fry served over white rice.
      Chicken and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry
    • Two shallow bowls with rice and chicken paillards topped with tomato-dill relish.
      Dill Chicken Paillards with Tomato-Dill Relish
    • Serving dish of cilantro lime rice with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs alongside.
      Easy Cilantro Lime Rice

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori H

      January 21, 2014 at 10:40 pm

      Hahah...I forgot about that pic of Dino...classy indeed! LOL But your birds look delicious!!

      Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Spring Recipes

    • Mayo-free Deviled Eggs
    • Middle Eastern Fattoush Salad with Homemade Pita Chips
    • Birthday Cake Confetti Pancakes with Sprinkles
    • Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Garlicky Mushroom Ricotta Pizza with Wild Arugula + Aged Balsamic
    • Slow Cooker "Roasted" Beets
    • Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
    • Italian Ricotta Cookies
    • Rhubarb Custard Pie
    • Easy Instant Pot Herbed Potato Salad

    Mother's Day + Easter Brunch

    • Epic Brunch Board on a Budget
    • Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • Turkey Salad Tea Sandwiches with Dried Cherries
    • Great Grandma Maria Francesca Cardile's Italian Easter Cookies
    • Brie Waffle Bites
    • Challah French Toast
    • Creamsicle Smoothies
    • DM Bloody Mary
    • Turkey Scotch Eggs
    • The Herbalist

    Popular Now

    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach

    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites

    • Overhead shot of a plate with rectangles of white coconut jelly.
      Coconut Jelly

    • Falafel in pita bread with toppings served with yogurt-herb sauce.
      Falafel with Yogurt-Herb Sauce

    • Overhead view of assorted breakfast items displayed on a board.
      Epic Brunch Board on a Budget

    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2025  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.