Oven-Roasted Cornish Hens with Grapes
Roasted Cornish Hens Recipe – Baked to crispy perfection, these oven-roasted Cornish hens make an excellent main course for a festive occasion such as the Holidays. With only a handful of ingredients, the roasted Cornish hens come out from the oven crisp and juicy, with a delightful grape sauce that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS LIST FOR THE ROASTED CORNISH HEN RECIPE
- 2 whole Cornish hens (about 1 1/2 lb each)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 lb fresh grapes
- 1/2 cup grape juice
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, more if necessary
- 1 teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
ROASTED CORNISH HEN RECIPE
Much like a roast chicken, this Cornish hen recipe makes a fancy dinner perfect for the holidays. The grape sauce is made with fresh grapes, grape juice, apple cider vinegar, and chicken stock. The ingredients list is pretty short, but the result is a restaurant-quality main course packed with flavors that your guests will remember for a long time!
DIRECTIONS
1. To make the roasted cornish hens: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190ºC). Pat the hens dry with paper towels and generously season with salt and pepper inside and out.
2. In a large skillet with a bit of oil, brown the cornish hens on all sides for 5 to 10 minutes. Let them take some color, then set them aside.
3. Deglaze the same skillet with apple cider vinegar, grape juice, and chicken broth, then bring to a simmer. Add grapes and cook for a couple of minutes until the sauce reduces and the grapes blister.
4. Place the cornish hens in the roasting pan, arrange the grapes, and pour sauce over. make sure to have at least 1 cup of liquid in the baking pan. Add more chicken broth if necessary.
5. Transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven and roast for 50 to 60 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers at 165°F (74ºC).
6. Remove the roasted cornish hens from the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes. Garnish with the grapes and additional thyme, and serve over mashed potatoes and green beans. Enjoy! ❤️