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

2 Cornish hens
1 lemon, quartered
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 cloves of garlic, halved
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 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.

Season the Hens: Liberally season each hen with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle paprika and Italian seasoning evenly over the hens.

Butter Basting: 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.

Continue Baking: 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.