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Roasted Cornish Hens with Bourbon Glaze Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 304 reviews

This delightful recipe features tender Cornish game hens roasted to perfection with a rich and flavorful bourbon glaze. The hens are seasoned simply with butter, salt, and pepper, then basted and finished with a sticky, sweet bourbon and honey glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Ideal for a special occasion or holiday meal, these roasted Cornish hens deliver impressive presentation and incredible taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 6 Cornish game hens (approx 1–1/2 lbs each)
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Kitchen twine (for tying legs)

Bourbon Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2/3 cup bourbon
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (a pinch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Racks: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Position racks in the bottoms of two medium-sized roasting pans and coat the pans with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Season and Butter the Hens: Season the cavity of each Cornish hen generously with salt and pepper. Rub one tablespoon of softened butter all over the skin of each hen. Then season the exteriors evenly with salt and pepper. Tie the legs of each hen together securely with kitchen twine to maintain shape during roasting.
  3. Arrange Hens for Roasting: Place three hens breast side up in each roasting pan. Make sure to leave some space between each hen. Pour about a 1/2-inch of water into the bottom of each pan to keep the hens moist during roasting.
  4. Roast and Baste: Place the roasting pans in the oven and roast the hens for 25 minutes. After this time, baste each hen with the pan juices to enhance moisture and flavor. Rotate the pans by switching their positions top to bottom and front to back to ensure even cooking.
  5. Continue Roasting to Temperature: Continue roasting for another 20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 160°F, indicating that the hens are fully cooked.
  6. Prepare Bourbon Glaze: While the hens are roasting, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it becomes soft and fragrant, but not browned. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then pour in the bourbon.
  7. Simmer and Thicken Glaze: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the honey. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes until the glaze thickens to a syrupy consistency. Cover the glaze and keep warm until ready to use.
  8. Glaze and Caramelize: Once the hens are fully cooked, remove them from the oven. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Brush each hen liberally with the prepared bourbon glaze and return to the oven for about 5 minutes, just long enough to caramelize the glaze and create a beautiful glossy finish. Remove the hens and brush with any remaining glaze for extra flavor.
  9. Rest and Serve: Allow the hens to rest uncovered for 10 minutes before serving. This ensures the juices redistribute and the meat remains juicy and tender.

Notes

  • Make sure not to brown the garlic when preparing the glaze, as it could affect the flavor negatively.
  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness to avoid overcooking the hens.
  • Tying the legs helps the hens cook evenly and maintain a neat presentation.
  • The water in the roasting pan helps keep the environment moist and prevents the hens from drying out.
  • Roasting pans should be rotated during cooking to ensure even heat distribution.

Keywords: Cornish hens, roasted Cornish hens, bourbon glaze, honey glaze, holiday recipe, roasted poultry, elegant dinner, game hen recipe

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/roasted-cornish-hens-with-bourbon-glaze-recipe/