Herb Butter Roasted 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

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

Preparing the Hens
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Pat 2 Cornish hens dry with paper towels, then season generously inside and out with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon paprika and 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, then rub this mixture all over the hens. Brush each hen with part of the 4 tablespoons melted butter (divided), making sure to coat the skin evenly.

Stuffing and Flavoring
Stuff each hen cavity with lemon quarters from 1 lemon, 2 halved garlic cloves per hen (4 total cloves), and 1 sprig fresh rosemary per hen (2 total sprigs). Lightly squeeze a bit of the lemon juice over the outside of the hens for added brightness.

Roasting the Hens
Place the hens breast-side up in a roasting pan or baking dish. Roast for about 45–55 minutes, basting occasionally with the remaining melted butter, until the skin is golden brown and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the meat.

Resting and Serving
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for about 5–10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Serve warm, optionally with an extra squeeze of lemon over the top for a fresh finish.