This can be a great alternative to roast turkey for the holidays. While technically not part of the turkey family, Cornish game hen are still very flavorful. They typically weigh between 1 – 2 pounds, making the cooking time much more manageable.
For this recipe we’ve uses a simple bourbon and honey glaze to add a sweet-smoky element that accents the natural flavor of the hens perfectly.
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Cornish Game Hens with Bourbon Glaze
Cornish game hens are an elegant, yet easy choice for entertaining a small crowd. Our recipe includes a sweet-and-smoky honey and bourbon glaze.
Ingredients
- 6 Cornish game hens, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 lbs each
- 6 tablespoons butter, softened
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the glaze:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2/3 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Position racks in the bottom of 2 medium-sized roasting pans and coat them both with nonstick spray.
- Season the cavity of each hen with salt and pepper and rub a tablespoon of softened butter liberally over the skin. Season the outside with salt and pepper and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.
- Arrange 3 hens, breast side up, in each roasting pan, being sure to leave a little space between them. Add a 1/2-inch of water to the bottom of each pan and place them in the oven.
- Roast the hens for 30 minutes, then baste with the pan juices. Return them to the oven, rotating the position of the roasting pans (top to bottom and front to back) to ensure even cooking.
- Continue roasting the hens for an additional 20 to 30 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F.
- While the hens are roasting, heat the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then add the bourbon.
- Bring the mixture to a slow simmer, stir in the honey and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens to a syrupy consistency, 7 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and keep warm until the hens are finished roasting.
- Remove the hens from the oven and brush them with the glaze. Increase the oven temperature to 450°F and return them to the oven just long enough for glaze to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Remove and brush with any remaining glaze if desired.
- Allow the hens to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Cornish Game Hens with Bourbon Glaze
Amount per Serving
Calories
465
% Daily Value*
Fat
23
g
35
%
Saturated Fat
11
g
69
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
9
g
Cholesterol
258
mg
86
%
Sodium
552
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
12
g
4
%
Sugar
12
g
13
%
Protein
48
g
96
%
Trans Fat
1
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Have you tried this recipe?Did you add your own special touch? We’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment and a rating to share your thoughts with others.
ALESSANDRI says
Dear Lynne and Erica!
HAPPIEST THANKS GIVING!
SO, IT WAS SO DELICIOUS I DECIDED TO HAVE THE
BOURBON HENS AGAIN, SINCE ITS THANKSGIVING. Perfect, the bourbon hens were, this time I’m putting stuffing in the hens and adding pineapple chunks to the glaze. Taste awesome!
THANKS!
Alessandri Kev
11/24/2022
Cathy O'kampo says
Hi I’m making 8 of these for thanksgiving this year. How should I cook them? 4 on a rack each and put one rack on top one underneath it? Thanks for the help
Lynne Webb says
Hi Cathy,
You are right, two roasting pans with four hens each so you have plenty of space between them is the way to go. The only other thing I would suggest is that when you rotate the pans from front to back, swap the top rack for the bottom and vice versa as well. You may also need a few extra minutes of roasting time.
Sylvia Hines says
I am making a Friendsgiving dinner party this year and want to do cornish hens instead of turkey. I would like more info on cornish hens for a dinner party of about 20. Should i cook them all at the same time? Space permitted. Do i elevate them on a rack so as not to sit in juices? Or should they sit in the jucies. Since there will be many hens roasting at the same time, does the roating time change? Should I cut the hens in half prior to baking? Or roast them whole then cut in half? Which way maintains juicyness? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Lynne Webb says
Hi Sylvia,
I have never made that quantity of cornish hens for a party, but I’ll answer your questions to the best of my ability. First, I would want to cook them all at the same time because I fear they could dry out a little if reheated or kept warm for an extended amount of time.
Second, you definitely should leave the hens whole and set them on racks to allow the oven’s heat to circulate around them. Be sure to leave a little space between them for that purpose as well.
Regarding even cooking, I would rotate both the pans themselves and the position of the hens within them. In other words, you want to swap the hens in the center of the roasting pan with the ones on the outside about halfway through cooking.
Last, dealing with that many hens at once will inevitably involve keeping the oven door open a little longer at times and you’ll lose more heat. To compensate, you may need to cook them a little bit longer, but most importantly, make good use of your instant-read thermometer and check them for doneness at the times indicated in the recipe instructions.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Somerset E Gallmeyer says
My goodness! This was a fantastic recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving Dinner and it rocked! I love make chicken wings too and plan to use the glaze next time. Pair with roasted baby potatoes, stuffing, and peas for a lovely dinner! Super easy and great when made as a family!
Lynne Webb says
Hi Somerset,
I’m so pleased that you tried the Cornish hens for Thanksgiving! I’ve always thought they were a great choice for entertaining. Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know you enjoyed them.
Rl says
Cooked 4 birds and 400 didn’t do the job.. Raised to 450
Lynne Webb says
Good that you turned up the heat a bit to get the right browning. While 375 to 400°F is the most common roasting temperature for Cornish hens, every oven is calibrated a bit differently and sometimes adjustments are necessary.
sharon says
Would like info for 2 birds at a time.
Thanks!
Lynne Webb says
Hi Sharon,
To cook just 2 hens, you still want to follow all the directions in the recipe, including roasting them at 400°F. I don’t think that the recommended roasting time will change too much, but since the oven won’t be so “full,” check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer after about 35 to 40 minutes. Regarding the glaze – I would just cut the recipe in half: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/3 cup bourbon, 2 tablespoons honey and salt and pepper to taste.