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–+ servings
a roasted Cornish game hen on a bed of spinach

Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Lemon Pepper

Sandi Gaertner
This delicious easy roasted Cornish hens recipe is so easy to make. Flavored with a tangy lemon pepper seasoning.
5 from 2 votes
an egg free allergen icon
gluten free allergy icon
nut free allergen icon
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Meal Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 555 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 pan

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Cornish hens * see note
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350º F.
  • Remove the hens from their packages and be sure there are no packets of organs in the cavity.
  • Spray a small sheet pan or 9x13 pan with oil.
  • Place the hens into the pan. Optional: You can use bakers twine to tie the legs together if you like. If you plan to roast vegetables with the hens, add those to your sheet pan too.
  • Place the butter, garlic, lemon juice, and salt into a small microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 20-25 seconds until the butter is melted.
  • Brush the hens with the butter mixture. Be sure to gently lift the skin and brush the mixture under the breasts as well so the flavor bakes in nicely.
  • Sprinkle the hens with lemon pepper seasoning.
  • Bake for 30 minutes. Carefully baste more of the butter mixture over the hens.
  • Bake an additional 30-40 minutes until the internal temperature of the hens is 165º F.

Notes

  1. Do not use a frozen Cornish hen. They will not absorb the flavor and will cook unevenly. To thaw a Cornish hen, remove them from the freezer and store in the refrigerator 1-2 days until thawed. Do not thaw the birds on the counter.
  2. You will know the hens are fully cooked when they have an internal temperature of 165º F.
  3. The cooked hens will keep up to 3 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the extra meat. I recommend removing the meat from the bones before freezing.

Flavor variations:

You can use another seasoning if you do not like lemon pepper. Here are a few delicious ideas:
  1. Instead of lemon pepper, use thyme and basil with garlic butter.
  2. Use a barbecue rub instead of garlic and lemon pepper.
  3. Swap out the lemon for orange juice and thyme to make this sweeter.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn't test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1half henCalories: 555kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 39gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 257mgSodium: 528mgPotassium: 555mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 599IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg
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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.