These slow cooked Cornish Hens have flavor slowly cooked in over hours, it is part of what makes them so delicious! If you are looking for a flavorful, easy family recipe, cooking Cornish Hens in a Crock Pot or slow cooker is the way to go! They cook during the day while you work and you come home to a ready-made meal!
Jump to:
This is one of my very favorite "dump and go" slow cooker recipes. I really wanted my slow cooker Cornish hens recipe to be the easiest dinner recipe. You don't have to pre-cook or prep anything before dumping them into your slow cooker!
The slow cooker (or Crock Pot) is a great way to make family meals for those busy school nights. They require little prep, and you don't have to watch them cook all day! I have several delicious gluten free slow cooker recipes if you want to try some more recipes out!
Why we love this recipe:
- Cornish game hens are easy to cook in a slow cooker.
- You can make this recipe using only 5 ingredients!
- Everyone gets their own so there is no fighting over wings and legs!
You may also love this Slow Cooker Barbecue Leg Quarters recipe too!
What slow cooker is best for cooking hens?
I love my programmable Crock Pot because it has an oval shape, making it easy to fit the hens, or a whole chicken into it.
Ingredient notes:
- Cornish hens - Usually you will find these in either the meat section or frozen section of your grocery store. I only have seen them frozen and sold in two-packs.
- Rotel - I used Rotel tomatoes because I love the flavor combination of tomatoes, onions, and chiles but you can also cut up fresh tomatoes, onions, and use green chiles to use. (This is fun during the summer when tomatoes are in-season and fresh!)
- Salt and pepper - I use these to season the hens too!
If you prefer a more traditional flavored recipe, my Air Fryer Roasted Cornish Game Hens get rave reviews!
How to make slow cooker Cornish hens:
Step 1: Season the hens with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure to check the inner cavity to remove any bags that may contain organs. Put the hens into the Crock Pot.
HINT: You do not have to wash the Cornish hens before cooking them.
Step 2: Pour on the Rotel and add ½ cup of water to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Cover and turn the Crock Pot on. You can cook them on low power for 6 hours, or cook them faster on high in 3 ½ hours.
Some slow cookers have the option to start on high power then automatically switch to low in a couple of hours.
Step 4: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. You want the internal temperature to be 165º F.
If you enjoy this recipe, you will want to try my Bacon Wrapped Cornish Game Hens recipe too!
Variations:
- As I mentioned above, feel free to make your own blend of diced tomatoes, green chiles, and onions.
- Add some ground cumin for more flavor.
- Add in carrots and potatoes and let them cook with the hens.
If you prefer to bake your Cornish hens, try my delicious Roasted Cornish Hens recipe!
Storage:
You can store the leftovers in an air-tight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If you want to freeze the leftovers, remove the meat and freeze it in a freezer-safe zip-style bag. Press out the extra air. This will help to prevent freezer burn. They will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Garnish with either chopped parsley or cilantro! Serve these slow cooked Cornish hens with rice or with potatoes and carrots.
Tips and Recipe FAQ:
Cornish hens are a breed of chicken that is small. They usually do not get any larger than 2 pounds. Cornish hens are considered to cook and be more tender than chicken.
Honestly, Cornish hens taste just like chicken, only more tender and moist.
I do not recommend cooking frozen Cornish hens in a slow cooker. It takes a long time to cook the hens to an internal temperature of 165º F in a slow cooker and the flavor doesn't cook into the meat the same as using thawed Cornish hens.
Because most Cornish hens are sold frozen, you will want to thaw your hens before cooking them.
To thaw, put the packaged hens onto a plate. Do not remove the plastic wrap they are in or they will leak all over your refrigerator as they thaw. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before cooking.
Yes! You can definitely use a chicken instead of Cornish hens. Note you will need to cook a chicken longer in the slow cooker as it is larger.
You can cook hens on high for 3 hours or low for 6-7 hours in a slow cooker or crock pot.
More gluten free slow cooker recipes:
- Easy Slow Cooker Curry Chicken Legs
- Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken (whole chicken!)
- 5 Ingredients Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Delicious 5 Ingredients Pulled Pork
Recipe
Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens
Ingredients
- 2 cornish game hens *Thawed, see note
- 15 ounces Rotel * see note
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Season the hens with salt, and garlic powder. Make sure to check the inner cavity to remove any bags that may contain organs. Put the hens into the Crock Pot.
- HINT: You do not have to wash the Cornish hens before cooking them.
- Pour the Rotel over the hens and add ½ cup of water to the slow cooker.
- Cover and turn the Crock Pot on. You can cook them on low power for 6 hours, or cook them faster on high in 3 ½ hours.
- Some slow cookers have the option to start on high power then automatically switch to low in a couple of hours.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. You want the internal temperature to be 165º F.
Notes
- If you can't find Rotel, you can easily use a can of diced tomatoes. Add 2 TBSP canned green chiles, and ½ cup diced onion.
- You can store the leftovers in an air-tight container in your refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- I do not recommend cooking frozen Cornish hens in a slow cooker. It takes a long time to cook the hens to an internal temperature of 165º F in a slow cooker and the flavor doesn't cook into the meat the same as using thawed Cornish hens.
- Because most Cornish hens are sold frozen, you will want to thaw your hens before cooking them. To thaw, put the packaged hens onto a plate. Do not remove the plastic wrap they are in or they will leak all over your refrigerator as they thaw. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours before cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon desserts e-cookbook!)
Carl Milito
I m making Cornish hens for Thanksgiving,2021, I omitted the seasoings and I replaced with 2 boxes of Turkey stovetop stuffing and under the hens a bed of onions. I will let the stove top to soak up the juices from the hens and slow cook on low. The hens will also have red beets and biscuits,both done separately. And Cranberry Sauce too.
I got Turkey broth dat was made from last years Turkey frame,I will make extra gravy for on the side.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sandi Gaertner
It sounds delicious Carl!!