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
2
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
90 minutes
Total Time
120 minutes
Ingredients
Fresh
2 Cornish hens
1 lemon, quartered
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 cloves of garlic, halved
Pantry
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon paprika
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
4 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare lemons, garlic, and rosemary.
Prepare and Season the Hens
- Rinse Cornish hens and pat dry with paper towels.
- Stuff each hen with a quarter of a lemon, 4 garlic halves, and a sprig of rosemary.
- Squeeze the remaining lemon juice over the hens.
- Liberally season each hen with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Sprinkle paprika and Italian seasoning evenly over the hens.
- Drizzle or brush half of the melted butter over the hens. Reserve the rest for later.
Baking
- Place hens in a roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes.
- Baste with more melted butter after 30 minutes.
- Bake for an additional hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C).
- Baste again with remaining butter in the last 15 minutes.
Rest and Serve
- Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or a light salad.
Prepare lemon wedges, garlic cloves, and rosemary sprigs.
Place hens in roasting pan, ready to stuff.
Stuff the cavities and squeeze lemon juice over the hens.
Season hens with kosher salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Baste with melted butter and cook until internal temp reaches 180 degrees, about 75 minutes total or until juices run clear.
