Buttered Lemon Garlic Rosemary Cornish Hens

Cornish game hens baked or smoked with fresh garlic and rosemary and lemon for a deliciously juicy and flavorful meal.

These Buttered Lemon Garlic Rosemary Cornish Hens are a flavorful, aromatic dish perfect for special occasions. Seasoned with paprika and Italian seasoning, the hens are stuffed with lemon, garlic, and rosemary for a fresh, zesty flavor. Basted with melted butter throughout cooking, they stay tender and juicy, resulting in a deliciously succulent dish that’s sure to impress.

Servings

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

90 minutes

Total Time

120 minutes

Ingredients

For the Hens
2 Cornish hens
Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon paprika
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
4 tablespoons melted butter (divided)

For the Stuffing & Flavoring
1 lemon, quartered (plus juice for squeezing)
4 cloves garlic, halved
2 sprigs fresh rosemary

Instructions

Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare lemon wedges, halved garlic, and rosemary sprigs.

Prepare & Season the Hens
Rinse Cornish hens and pat dry. Stuff each with a lemon wedge, garlic halves, and a rosemary sprig. Squeeze remaining lemon juice over hens. Season generously with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with paprika and Italian seasoning. Drizzle or brush with half the melted butter (reserve the rest).

Bake the Hens
Place hens in a roasting pan and bake 30 minutes. Baste with more butter, then continue baking 1 hour, or until hens reach 180°F (82°C). Baste again with remaining butter during the last 15 minutes.

Rest & Serve
Remove from oven and rest 10 minutes before serving to let juices redistribute. Serve warm with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.

Prepare lemon wedges, garlic cloves, and rosemary sprigs.