Stuffed Cornish Game Hens: The Ultimate Recipe for a Perfect Dinner

Discover the ultimate recipe for Stuffed Cornish Game Hens, a dish that promises elegance and flavor for any special occasion. This guide will walk you through creating a memorable meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether it’s a holiday feast or an intimate dinner for two, these roasted hens with a savory wild rice and sausage stuffing are sure to impress. Their individual portion size makes them feel personal and luxurious, turning any dinner into a five-star experience.

We’ve designed this recipe to be foolproof, ensuring your Cornish hens turn out perfectly juicy with crispy, golden-brown skin every single time. Get ready to elevate your home cooking with this stunning main course.

Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Cornish Game Hens Recipe

• Perfectly Portioned: Each hen is a single serving, making plating simple and elegant.
• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of savory sausage, earthy wild rice, and aromatic herbs creates a stuffing that beautifully complements the tender meat.
• Surprisingly Easy: Despite its sophisticated appearance, this recipe is straightforward and achievable for cooks of all skill levels.
• Great for Special Occasions: It’s the perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a romantic dinner.

What Are Cornish Game Hens?

A Cornish game hen is a specific breed of broiler chicken, not a game bird as the name might suggest. They are young chickens, typically under five weeks old, which results in incredibly tender and flavorful meat. Their small size, usually around one to two pounds, makes them ideal for a single, hearty serving. This makes them a fantastic choice when you want to serve something a little more special than a traditional roasted chicken.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple, high-quality ingredients to create a dish packed with complex flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.

For the Cornish Hens

• 2 Cornish game hens (about 1.5 lbs each)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)

For the Wild Rice & Sausage Stuffing

• 1/2 cup wild rice blend
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 lb bulk pork sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make Stuffed Cornish Game Hens (Step-by-Step)

Follow these simple steps to prepare a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen. We’ll guide you from preparing the stuffing to roasting the hens to golden-brown perfection.

Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing

First, cook the wild rice in the chicken broth according to package directions. While the rice is simmering, brown the pork sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a spoon. Once cooked, remove the sausage and set it aside, leaving a tablespoon of drippings in the pan. Sauté the onion and celery in the drippings until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sage and cook for another minute until fragrant. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, sausage, and sautéed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. For a truly decadent side, consider our Boursin Chicken recipe’s creamy sauce as an inspiration for a dipping sauce.

Step 2: Prepare the Cornish Hens

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the Cornish hens from their packaging and pat them dry inside and out with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin. Place the hens in a roasting pan or a large cast-iron skillet. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh thyme.

Step 3: Stuff and Truss the Hens

Loosely fill the cavity of each hen with the prepared stuffing. Do not pack it in too tightly, as the rice will expand during cooking. Any extra stuffing can be baked in a separate small dish alongside the hens. Truss the legs together with kitchen twine to help the hen cook evenly and hold its shape. Brush the entire surface of each hen generously with the melted herb butter mixture.

Step 4: Roast to Perfection

Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven. Roast for 50-60 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. The most reliable way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (not touching bone); it should read 165°F (74°C). If you love this roasting method, you should try our Crockpot Marry Me Chicken for another easy yet impressive meal.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Once cooked, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the meat is moist and tender. Serve whole, with your favorite side dishes.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overstuff: Fill the cavity loosely to ensure the stuffing cooks through and the hen cooks evenly.
• Dry the Skin: Patting the hens completely dry is the secret to crispy, golden-brown skin.
• Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s the only way to guarantee your hens are cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking them.
• Let it Rest: Don’t skip the resting period! It’s essential for juicy, flavorful meat. Much like our favorite Crock Pot Chicken Thighs, patience pays off.

What to Serve with Stuffed Cornish Game Hens

These hens pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving them with roasted asparagus, creamy mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, or a simple green salad. For a truly comforting meal, a side of our Sausage Stuffed Shells would be a crowd-pleaser.

FAQs about Cornish Game Hens

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover Cornish hens and stuffing 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 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

The Best Stuffed Cornish Game Hens Recipe

Stuffed Cornish Game Hens: The Ultimate Recipe for a Perfect Dinner

This Stuffed Cornish Game Hens recipe features a savory wild rice and sausage stuffing, roasted to perfection with an herb butter glaze. An elegant, easy-to-make dish perfect for holidays or any special occasion, guaranteeing a juicy and flavorful result.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 780

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 Cornish game hens (about 1.5 lbs each)
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 tsp dried
• 0.5 cup wild rice blend
• 1.5 cups chicken broth
• 0.5 lb bulk pork sausage
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

• 1 Roasting Pan
• 1 Large Skillet
• 1 Meat Thermometer

Method

 

1. Cook the wild rice in chicken broth according to package directions. While rice cooks, brown the pork sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove sausage and set aside. Sauté the onion and celery in the drippings until soft. Add garlic and sage and cook for 1 minute. Combine the cooked rice, sausage, and vegetables in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat hens dry inside and out with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and fresh thyme.
3. Loosely fill the cavity of each hen with the stuffing. Truss the legs together with kitchen twine. Brush the entire surface of each hen with the melted herb butter.
4. Place hens in a roasting pan. Roast for 50-60 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thigh reads 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown.
5. Remove from oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Tip 1: Do not pack the stuffing too tightly to ensure it cooks evenly.
Tip 2: Ensure the hens are completely dry before brushing with butter for the crispiest skin.
Tip 3: Use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked, juicy results every time.

We hope you enjoy this fantastic recipe for Stuffed Cornish Game Hens. It’s a dish that brings a touch of elegance to your dinner table with minimal fuss. If you make it, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below or share a photo of your creation on Pinterest.