Go Back

Crispy Skin Cornish Hens with Garlic Herb Butter for Two

Crispy skin Cornish hens are roasted with garlic herb butter tucked under the skin for juicy meat and deeply golden skin. This dinner for two is finished with a 10-minute rest before serving.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 1080
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Garlic herb butter
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Hens
  • 2 Cornish game hens about 1.5 pounds each; giblets removed if included
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • 1 9x13-inch roasting pan

Method
 

Make the garlic herb butter
  1. Stir the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme leaves together in a small bowl until evenly combined.
Roast the hens
  1. Heat the oven to 425°F with a rack in the center.
  2. Set a wire rack inside a 9x13-inch roasting pan.
  3. Pat the Cornish game hens very dry with paper towels.
  4. Carefully loosen the skin over the breasts and thighs.
  5. Spread the garlic herb butter under the skin.
  6. Season the cavities and skin with the kosher salt and black pepper.
  7. Rub the olive oil over the skin.
  8. Set the hens breast side up on the rack.
  9. Roast for 50 to 60 minutes, until the skin is crisp and deeply golden and a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of each breast and thigh, away from bone.
  10. Rest the hens uncovered for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For the crispiest skin, pat the hens very dry before buttering. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; freeze cooked leftovers for up to 3 months. For a dairy-free option, use a dairy-free butter substitute.