Best Stuffed Cornish Game Hens Recipes

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• In a large skillet or saucepan, saute celery and onion in 2 tablespoons butter until tender. Remove from the heat. Stir in cornbread, bread crumbs, pimientos, broth, egg, poultry seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix well. , Stuff each hen with 3/4 cup stuffing. Place extra stuffing in a greased 1-qt. baking dish; refrigerate. Place hens breast side up on a rack in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375° for 45 minutes. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the remaining butter; add garlic, lemon zest, mint and remaining salt and pepper. Brush over hens. Bake 15-30 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 180° for hens and 165° for stuffing. Bake the extra stuffing, covered, for 30 minutes.

CRANBERRY-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread out diced bread on a rimmed baking sheet; toastin oven, turning occasionally, until light brown and dry, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
• Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add leek, mushrooms, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in bread, chopped sage, parsley, mustard, thyme, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, and 1/2 cup broth.
• Spoon stuffing into bird cavities; tie legs together with kitchen twine. Rub birds with butter, then sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Arrange birds on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan. Roast until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees, and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thighs (avoiding bone) registers 170 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer rack with birds to a rimmed baking sheet, and let rest.
• Set roasting pan on top of stove across two burners; set heat to medium-high. Add port and remaining 1/4 cup broth; deglaze pan, scraping up any browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add remaining 1/4 cup dried cranberries; cook, stirring, until sauce reduces slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Place birds on a serving platter, and drizzle sauce over them. Garnish with sage leaves, if desired, and serve.

STUFFED & BAKED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a small bowl combine the 1/2 cup melted butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms, garlic, basil, oregano and parsley.
• Season hens inside and out with salt and pepper to taste, then stuff with equal amounts butter/vegetable mixture.
• Place stuffed birds in a 9x13 inch baking dish, breast side up.
• Drizzle with 1/4 cup melted butter.
• Cover dish and bake in the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours.
• Remove cover and brown at 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CRANBERRY GLAZE

Steps:

• Prepare the glaze: Combine cranberries and wine in saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
• Stir in honey and continue to simmer 2 minutes.
• Strain glaze, stir in oil and set aside.
• Prepare the game hens and stuffing: Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, add onion, celery and cranberries.
• Saute for 3 minutes.
• Add sauteed mixture to the French bread cubes.
• Let cool.
• Stir in chicken broth, parsley, sage, thyme, 1/4 Tsp.
• salt and 1/8 Tsp.
• pepper.
• Stuff game hens with the stuffing and tie drumsticks together with kitchen string.
• Place hens in a roasting pan.
• Brush some of glaze over each game hen and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
• Place in a preheated 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue roasting for 45 minutes longer.
• Baste hens with glaze and sprinkle with salt and pepper (salt& pepper is optional, I didn't do it) twice more during the cooking time.
• Remove hens from oven and let rest 5 minutes.
• Cut strings and serve.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH ORANGE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Saute the chopped onions in the tablespoon of butter until soft.
• Mix rice, onions, apple, raisins and poultry seasoning together in a small bowl.
• Season the cornish hens well inside and out with salt and pepper.
• Place 1/2 cup stuffing into each hen cavity.
• Brush hens liberally with melted butter.
• Place hens, breast side up in a shallow baking pan.
• Cook for about 45 minutes depending on the size of the hens, basting once during the roasting time.
• Make Sauce: In small saucepan, cook the orange juice, brown sugar and butter until thickened, stirring frequently.

CORNBREAD-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CORN MAQUE CHOUX

Steps:

• For stuffing:
• Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; sauté until beginning to color, about 5 minutes. Add apples; sauté until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Mix in sage, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; transfer to large bowl. Let stand until almost cool, about 10 minutes.
• Mix cornbread into vegetables. Add egg and toss to blend. Mix in cheese, then enough apple cider by tablespoonfuls to form stuffing that is moist but not wet.
• Game hens:
• Sprinkle cavity of each hen lightly with salt and pepper. Pack 1 cup stuffing into each (place any leftover stuffing into buttered ramekins and cover with foil). Skewer cavities closed with toothpicks or turkey lacers. Tuck wing tips under; tie legs together to hold shape. Mix sage, coarse salt, and pepper in small bowl; sprinkle over hens.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place 2 hens in skillet. Sauté until brown, turning often with wooden spoons (to prevent tearing skin), about 10 minutes. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet, breast side up. Repeat with remaining hens. Drape 2 bacon strip halves over breast of each hen. Using kitchen string, tie bacon strips in place. (Place any ramekins of stuffing on baking sheet with hens.)
• Place hens (and extra stuffing) in oven. Roast hens until cooked through and juices run clear when thigh is pierced, about 45 minutes. (Roast stuffing 30 minutes.) Cut strings off hens. Transfer hens to plates. Spoon maque choux around hens and serve with extra stuffing.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Spray a large oblong slow cooker with nonfat cooking spray. Rinse the Cornish hens in cold water. In a large mixing bowl combine the stuffing mix, dried cherries, and 1 cup of the chopped apple. Heat the chicken broth in the microwave for 2 minutes or until hot and pour it over the stuffing mix, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Place the stuffing in each rinsed Cornish hen, dividing the stuffing evenly among the hens. Put the stuffed hens into the prepared slow cooker. Peel and chop the squash and place it in a large mixing bowl. Put the remaining 3 1/2 cups of the chopped apples into the bowl with the squash. Add the brown sugar and stir until well mixed. Take two large pieces of foil, fold the long sides together to form one large piece of foil, and spray with nonfat cooking spray. Transfer the squash and apples to the foil. Fold the foil over the pile of squash and apples and roll the edges to seal the packet. Place the packet of squash and apples into the slow cooker on top of the hens. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. When the hens are completely cooked through, remove the foil. Using tongs, remove the hens from the slow cooker and place in a 9x13-inch glass baking dish or on a platter. Cut each Cornish hen in half using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Surround the hens with the squash and apple mixture. Sprinkle the paprika over the Cornish hens fbr a great presentation. Sprinkle seasoned salt over the tops of the Cornish hens and the squash and apple mixture and garnish with the grapes, if desired. Note: For a crispy, golden brown skin, put the hens in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish and bake them in the oven at 500 degrees for 5 to 10 minutes.

PINEAPPLE-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Sprinkle insides of hens with 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.
• Drain pineapple, reserving juice.
• In a bowl, combine the pineapple, bread cubes, celery and coconut.
• Add 6 Tablespoons butter; toss to coat.
• Loosely stuff hens; tie legs together with kitchen string.
• Place on a rack in a greased shallow roasting pan.
• Place remaining stuffing in a greased 1-1/2 cup baking dish; cover and set aside.
• Add poultry seasoning and remaining salt to remaining butter.
• Spoon some of the butter mixture over hens.
• Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, basting twice with butter mixture.
• Stir steak sauce and reserved pineapple juice into remaining butter mixture; baste hens.
• Bake reserved stuffing with hens for 30 minutes; baste hens twice.
• Uncover stuffing; baste hens with remaining butter mixture.
• Bake 15-20 minutes longer or until meat themometer reads 185 degrees for hens and 165 degrees for stuffing in hens.
• Remove hens from pan; keep warm.
• Pour drippings into a saucepan; skim fat.
• Combine cornstarch, brown sugar, water and lemon juice until smooth; add to the drippings.
• Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
• Serve sauce with hens and stuffing.

APRICOT STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice half the onion and place slices on baking sheet. Dice the rest of the onion for stuffing. Set aside.
• Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and ginger and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in 3 tablespoons apricot jam and chicken stock. and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add bread cubes. Stir and coat bread cubes. Let cool while preparing hens.
• Wash and dry game hens. Season inside cavity with salt and pepper. Fill cavity with about 1/2 cup of the stuffing. Tie legs together with kitchen twine and use skewers to close cavity. Place breast side up on bed of onions. Season with salt and pepper.
• GLAZE: Combine softened butter and 2 tablespoons apricot jam and spread over game hens.
• Roast uncovered in a preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 170°F Remove from oven, let rest about 10 minutes. To serve, cut each hen in half and serve with stuffing.
• TIPS: Blueberry or Wildberry jam would be great with this as well.

CORNISH HENS FARCI BOURGEOISE (GAME HENS STUFFED WITH SAUSAGE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Remove the necks, livers, hearts and gizzards from the hens. Trim off the tough membranes from the gizzards. Put the tender gizzard meat and hearts in the container of a food processor and blend well. Chop the livers finely.
• Melt one tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan and add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until wilted and add the sausage meat and gizzard and heart mixture. Cook, stirring with the side of a spoon to break up the lumps. Add the chopped livers and cook until the mixture loses its red color. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the egg, parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Add the bread crumbs and stir. Let cool.
• Stuff the hens with equal portions of the mixture. Truss, if desired.
• Melt the remaining butter in a baking dish and add the hens, turning them in the butter until coated all over. Sprinkle the hens with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange the birds on their sides. Place the onion in the center and scatter the necks around.
• Place the hens in the oven and bake 10 minutes, basting often. Turn the hens on their other sides and bake 10 minutes, basting. Turn them on their backs and bake 15 minutes longer, basting.
• Add the wine to the roasting pan and stir. Remove the hens and untruss. Serve half a chicken per person with the pan juices spooned over.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH LEEK STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Melt 6 tablespoons butter; set aside. Place bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat and cook bacon pieces until crisp. Add onions and cook until translucent. Add apple and cook until soft. Fold in bread, orange zest, sage, cinnamon, and melted butter. Slowly add just enough stock so that mixture sticks together. Remove from heat and let cool slightly; stir in egg.
• Stuff the cavity of each game hen with one quarter of the stuffing mixture. Truss each game hen using kitchen twine.
• Heat remaining tablespoon butter and olive oil over medium heat in a small roasting pan until foaming. Season game hens with salt and pepper and add to pan. Sear game hens on all sides until golden brown. Transfer roasting pan to oven and cook until juices run clear and the hens reach 160 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Transfer hens to individual serving plates. Drizzle maple vanilla gastrique over hens and serve with leek stew.

WILD RICE STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH CARAWAY CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt two tablespoons butter in nonstick saucepan. Saute mushrooms and scallions until soft, about 10 minutes. Add sausage and saute until done, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set mixture aside. Reduce heat to low, add chopped giblets, 1-3/4 cups broth, wild rice, wine and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until liquid is absorbed, 25-40 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Remove stuffing from heat and stir in half the mushroom mixture; set the remainder aside. Stuff hens with stuffing and brush them generously with melted butter. Roast 1-1/4 hours, basting frquently with butter.
• Sauce: Melt 1/4 cup butter in saucepan. Combine flour & caraway seed and whisk into butter. Cook until well blended, about 3 minutes. Add whipping cream and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Add 1 cup pan juices and cook several minutes; add reserved mixture and pass sauce with hens.

DEBONED AND STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Rinse and cook wild rice to package instructions; set aside.
• Spread cubed cornbread in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat for 4 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring after 2 minutes; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic; cook and stir for 3 minutes.
• Add mushrooms; cook for 3 more minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and cooked rice; cook for 2 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Stir in broth.
• Add pecans and toasted bread cubes; toss lightly.
• Stuff deboned Cornish Game Hens with stuffing.
• Truss deboned Cornish Game Hens with toothpicks and long skewers.
• Roast Cornish Game Hens in oven for 1 hour or until done.
• Making the sauce -- Whisk the stock and pomegranate juice into the roux to get a smooth mix and add the mushrooms.
• Bring the sauce to a low simmering boil and cook for 10 minutes.
• Strain to remove the mushrooms, add nutmeg, season to taste and serve over the game hens.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH PINE NUTS AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine the raisins and brandy in a small bowl. Set aside for about 15 minutes to allow the raisins to plump slightly.
• Trim the crusts from the bread and cut the slices into 1/2-inch cubes. Place the bread cubes on a baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer the cubes to a mixing bowl. Set aside. Do not turn off the oven.
• Fill a large mixing bowl with lightly salted cold water and, 1 at a time, thoroughly rinse each hen in the salted water. Place the rinsed hens under cold running water to remove excess salt. Drain well and pat dry. Set aside.
• Drain the liquid from the raisins, separately reserving both the raisins and the liquid.
• Combine the oil with 2 tablespoons of the butter in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the celery, onion and 1 tablespoon of the garlic and saute for 3 minutes. Add the reserved soaking liquid from the raisins and cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the parsley, pine nuts, and reserved raisins. Scrape the mixture into the reserved toasted bread cubes and add just enough chicken stock or broth to moisten without letting the bread cubes get soggy. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Using a large spoon, lightly push some stuffing into the cavity of each bird. (Do not pack the stuffing in tightly or it will get very soggy and may not cook properly).
• Combine the remaining butter and garlic and coat each hen with a light layer of the seasoned butter. Sprinkle lightly with paprika and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the hens in a roasting pan. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven. Roast for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to roast for an additional 20 minutes or until the hens are golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the bird and into the stuffing reads 165 degrees. Remove from the oven and serve.

CORNISH GAME HENS, STUFFED UNDER THE SKIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a small mixing bowl, combine basil, garlic, ricotta cheese and soft bread crumbs; bind the ingredients together with egg yolk.
• With heavy shears, cut each bird along one side of backbone and remove as much fat as possible. Cut backbone away; insert your fingers under the skin covering the breast and top of drumsticks. Loosen skin as much as possible and insert some stuffing between flesh and skin. Set bird halves, breast side up in a baking pan; rub olive oil over the skin and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake for about 10 minutes, lower heat to 375 degrees and bake for 35 to 40 minutes longer or until done; let bird rest 10 minute before serving to let stuffing settle and firm up. Serve with bread and 1 or 2 vegetable purees.

FESTIVE STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, saute onion and celery in butter and 1 tablespoon oil until tender. Add the garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute longer., In a large bowl, combine the bread, oranges, cranberries, pecans and orange zest. Add onion mixture; toss to coat., Loosely stuff hens with stuffing. Tuck wings under hens; tie drumsticks together. Rub with remaining oil; sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper. Place breast side up on a rack in a shallow roasting pan., Roast 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until a thermometer reads 165° when inserted in center of stuffing and the thigh reaches at least 180°, basting hens occasionally with orange juice. Cover loosely with foil if hens brown too quickly. Cover and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CORNISH GAME HENS STUFFED WITH CHICKEN LIVER PATE

Steps:

• For the pate: Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and add the capers, anchovies and garlic. Bring to medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the anchovies dissolve, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the chicken livers, turn the heat to high and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the wine and cook until the wine has reduced by half, 4 to 5 more minutes; the mix will still be pretty soupy.
• Transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with a little salt and loosen with a little olive oil if needed. Set aside to cool completely. Put into a pastry bag.
• For the game hens: Place the game hens on a clean work surface. Loosen the skin under the breast, legs and thighs and, using the pastry bag, stuff the chicken liver pate under the skin. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drizzle the game hens with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the fennel pollen, crushed red pepper flakes and lemon zest. Place the whole shootin' match in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, turn on the broiler and place under the broiler. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven. Check the game hens for doneness; they should be cooked through but still succulent and juicy. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Remove the game hens from the pan. Cut the game hens in half and separate the breasts from the dark meat. Each plate gets half a game hen. Reserve on a large platter.
• Remove the excess fat from the saute pan and add the chicken stock, white wine and rosemary. Cook over high heat until the liquid has reduced by more than half. Taste and season with salt. Finish the sauce with the butter.
• Spoon the juices over over the game hens. Garnish with the chives. Tastes like chicken!

CORNISH GAME HENS STUFFED WITH APRICOTS & PRUNES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in the pressure cooker.
• Brown the hens well on both sides.
• Stuff each hen with 6 prunes and 4 apricots, interspersing the lemon slices among the dried fruits.
• Truss the hens and set aside.
• In the fat remaining in the cooker, saute the shallots, celery and ginger for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the stock and salt; scrape up any browned bits that are sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Place the hens side by side in the sauce.
• (You may need to put one hen on its side) Place the sweet potatoes on top Lock the lid in place and over high heat bring to high pressure.
• Adjust the heat to maintain high pressure and cook for 10 minutes.
• Quick release the pressure and check for doness by inserting a knife into the drumstick joint; if the meat is still pink, lock the lide back in place and return to high pressure, and cook for another minute or two.
• Transfer the hens to a platter; remove the trussing.
• Reserve in a warm place.
• Add the orange zest and Grand Marnier and boil the sauce over high heat until the alcohol burns off and the sauce is reduced slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
• Serve in a sauce boat, or pour over the stuffed hens.

APRICOT-STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Grease a 2-quart casserole dish and set aside. 2. To make the stuffing, place the butter or margarine in a large skillet, and melt over medium heat. Add the almonds, and toss with the butter until lightly browned. Remove the nuts and set aside. 3. Add the onion and celery to the butter remaining in the skillet, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the stuffing mix. Then gradually stir in the chicken broth, add - ing only enough to lightly moisten the stuffing. Stir in the apricots, parsley, and reserved almonds. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the stuffing to cool thoroughly. 4. Empty the cavities of the hens, and rinse and dry inside and out. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the hens, inside and out. Then fill the cavities lightly with the stuffing, sew or skewer shut, and truss. Transfer the leftover stuffing to the prepared casserole dish. 5. To make the glaze, place all of the glaze ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, and stir to mix. Set aside. 6. Place the hens breast side down on a rack in a roasting pan, and roast for 15 minutes. Using tongs, carefully turn the hens breast side up, and spoon the glaze over the hens. Continue basting every 10 to 15 minutes, cooking the hens for a total of 45 minutes, or until they are tender and golden, and a thermometer inserted in the thigh shows a temperature of 180°F. 7. While the hens are cooking, bake the stuffing casserole, covered, alongside the hens for 15 minutes. Uncover the dish, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is crisp. Serve the stuffing with the game hens.

STUFFED CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Season hens inside and out with salt & pepper. Set aside.
• In a small pan, sautee almonds, onions and rice in butter for 5-10 minutes. Stir frequently.
• Add water, boullion, lemon and salt. Bring to a boil to dissolve boullion. Reduce heat, cover and simmer slowly for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Stir in mushrooms.
• Lightly stuff birds with stuffing.
• Place breast side up in a shallow baking pan. Brush with melted butter and roast uncovered at 400 for 30 minutes.
• Cover and roast an additional hour or until drumstick can be twisted easily in socket.
• Brush with butter during last 15 minutes.
• Serve with white wine.