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These Slow Cooker Cornish Hens are tender, juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The veggies are cooked with the game hens in the Crockpot for a complete meal.
This recipe costs about $9.04 to make. It makes four servings, which is about $2.26 per serving.
Serve this meal alongside these Soft Homemade Dinner Rolls and Italian Salad with Italian Dressing for a complete meal.
You will love this Recipe for Cornish Hens
I love making my Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe, but sometimes I don’t need that much chicken! That’s where this Cornish Hen recipe comes in.
Typically, one hen will feed two people. It’s perfect for serving a smaller crowd.
If you’re keeping it low-key for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even New Year’s Eve, then this recipe is an excellent choice for a special occasion or any night of the week.As an extra bonus, this meal only takes 10 minutes of prep time!!!
What is a cornish hen?
A cornish game hen is a young male or female chicken. It becomes incredibly tender and savory after cooking it low and slow in the Crockpot with the herbs and veggies. The juicy meat practically falls off the bone.
Isn’t it fabulous when you’re able to make delicious meals in one pot? Just like this Instant Pot Meatloaf recipe, the veggies and potatoes cook with the meat. It is simply the best way to cook. Yay for fewer dishes!
Cornish Hen Recipe ingredients and cost
Per Serving Cost: $2.26
Recipe Cost: $9.04
- 2 Cornish Hens – $7.87
- ½ teaspoon onion powder – $0.01
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary – $0.06
- 1 cup baby carrots – $0.42
- 1 cup baby potatoes, yellow and/or red – $0.44
- ½ cup chicken broth – $0.16
NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
How to Cook Cornish Hens
- First, prep the cornish hens by rinsing them and then patting them dry.
- Then, mix the ingredients together to make the dry rub.
- Rub the hens all over with the dry rub.
- Place some of the potatoes and the baby carrots in the slow cooker. Set them in an even layer.
- Next, set the cornish hens on top of the veggies. Arrange any remaining veggies around the hens.
- Add in the chicken broth and cook for eight hours.
- Finally, remove the hens and veggies and serve.
How long to cook cornish hens?
You cook the hens in a slow cooker for 8 hours on low.
How do you know when a Cornish game hen is done?
- Internal Temperature:Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the hen. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding contact with bones. The USDA recommends cooking poultry, including Cornish game hens, to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F. When the thermometer reaches this temperature, the hen is considered done and safe to eat.
- Visual Cues:When the Cornish game hen is cooked, the skin should turn golden brown and crispy, and the juices should run clear. The meat should be opaque and no longer pink. If you pierce the thickest part of the hen with a knife or fork, the juices should run clear without any traces of blood.
Easy Cornish Game Hens Recipe variations
- Instead of baby potatoes you can use cut up red or Yukon gold potatoes. Just cu them into 1 ½ inch chunks.
- The same goes for the baby carrots, you can use cut up carrots, just cut them into 2-inch chunks.
- Instead of potatoes you can use sweet potatoes.
- Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken broth.
Storing Cornish Game Hens (Crockpot version)
SERVE: You can keep the Cornish Hens out for about two hours before they need to be covered and refrigerated.
STORE:Place leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Stored this way they will keep for 4-5 days.
FREEZE:Once cooled, place the chicken and vegetables separate freezer-safe containers or Ziploc bags. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw the containers overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature (the vegetables for 2-3 hours and the chicken for 5-7 hours).
RE-HEAT: Heat the vegetables in the microwave on HIGH power in 1-minute increments until they are heated through. Heat the chicken in a 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.
Tools used to Cook Cornish game hen
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
- Slow cooker
Recipe for Cornish Hens FAQs
Do you need to wash Cornish hens?
Yes, rinse the hens and pat dry with a paper towel before cooking them. Raw chicken can hold bacteria, so it is essential to use proper techniques when handling it. Be sure to wash your hands and all surfaces that have come in contact with the raw chicken with hot water and soap.
Is a Cornish hen a baby chicken?
A cornish hen is an immature chicken, meaning that it is less than five weeks old. They do not weigh more than two pounds and are ready to cook and eat at this size.
What is good to serve with Cornish hens?
A few of my favorite sides to serve with this meal are:
Tri-Color Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Copycat Panera Mac and Cheese
Brown Sugar and Honey Glazed Carrots
Oven Roasted Broccoli
Skillet Green Beans
Sour Cream Cornbread
Cornish hen vs chicken
Cornish hen and chicken are both types of poultry, but they have some distinct differences:
– Size:Cornish hens are smaller in size compared to regular chickens. A Cornish hen typically weighs between 1 to 2 pounds, while a chicken can range from 3 to 8 pounds or even more, depending on the variety.
– Age:Cornish hens are young chickens, typically around 5 to 6 weeks old, while chickens used for regular consumption are usually older, ranging from 7 to 10 weeks or more.
– Flavor and Texture:Cornish hens are known for their tender and succulent meat. Due to their smaller size, the meat is typically more delicate and flavorful compared to larger chickens. On the other hand, the meat of regular chickens can vary depending on the breed, diet, and cooking method but tends to be slightly denser and less tender than Cornish hens.
– Cooking Applications:Cornish hens are often cooked in individual portions, making them suitable for elegant or special occasions. They can be roasted, grilled, or baked whole. Regular chickens are commonly used for family meals or larger gatherings, and their versatility allows for various cooking methods such as roasting, grilling, frying, or using different parts for specific recipes.
Do you have to remove anything from a Cornish hen before cooking?
Yes, you should remove a few things from a Cornish hen before cooking. Here are the typical steps for preparing a Cornish hen:
– Giblets:Similar to regular chickens, Cornish hens often come with a packet of giblets (such as the liver, heart, and gizzard) placed inside the cavity. Not all Cornish hens come with the giblets, but it’s always a good idea to check.
– Neck and Wing Tips:Some Cornish hens may still have the neck and wing tips attached. You can choose to remove them if desired, although they are edible.
– Rinse and Pat Dry:Rinse the Cornish hen under cold water. Then, pat it dry with paper towels. This helps ensure proper browning and crispness when cooking.
Should Cornish hens be room temp before cooking?
You can cook them when they’re at room temperature or chilled (not frozen).
Is Cornish hen pink inside?
No, a properly cooked Cornish hen should not be pink inside. The meat of a Cornish hen, like chicken, should be fully cooked and have an opaque, white color when done.
What makes Cornish hens so good?
Cornish hens are delicious for many reasons. Here are a few:
– Tender and Juicy:Cornish hens are known for their tender and juicy meat.
– Enhanced Flavor:The small size of Cornish hens allows them to cook quickly and evenly, which helps retain their natural flavors. They tend to be more flavorful than larger chickens, as the meat has a concentrated taste.
– Versatility: Cornish hens lend themselves well to a variety of cooking methods. They can be roasted, grilled, baked, or even braised.
– Presentation:Cornish hens have an appealing aesthetic appeal when served whole. Their petite size and beautifully browned skin make for an impressive presentation on the plate, whether for a special occasion or a dinner party.
More Chicken Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Skewers
- Gas Grill Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Thighs
- Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken
- Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
4.69 from 16 votes
How to Cook Cornish Game Hen
Author Jillian – a Food Folks and Fun original!
Recipe Cost $ $9.04
Serving Cost $ $2.26
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 8 hours hours
Total Time 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
4 people
TheseSlow Cooker Cornish Hensare tender, juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The veggies are cooked with the game hens in the Crockpot for a complete meal.
Equipment
measuring cups and spoons
liquid measuring cup
slow cooker
Ingredients
- 52 ounce Twin pack Cornish Hens defrosted if previously frozen
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 cup baby potatoes yellow and/or red
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
PREP CORNISH HENS:
Take the Cornish hens and rinse and pat dry with a paper towel.
MAKE AND RUB HENS:
Combine the onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, and ground black pepper into a small bowl. Mix well.
Rub the cornish hens with the seasoning mixture.
PREP AND FILL SLOW COOKER:
Spray the slow cooker with the nonstick cooking spray.
Place some of the potatoes and the baby carrots into the slow cooker and spread into an even layer.
Place the cornish hens on top of the vegetables, and then place any remaining vegetables around the hens.
SLOW COOK:
Add the chicken broth to the slow cooker and then cover and cook for 8 hours on low.
SERVE:
Carefully remove the cornish hens and vegetables from the slow cooker to a serving platter. Serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5hen | Calories: 766kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 372mg | Sodium: 361mg | Potassium: 1068mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4816IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3mg
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