Herb-Roasted Cornish Hen

📍 Where this dish comes from: Nashville, Tennessee · Ryman Auditorium & Broadway
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Cornish hens bring an elegant, individually-plated touch to a soul food table, showing up especially at holiday meals. Roasted whole with a simple garlic-herb butter rub, they’re naturally keto and make an impressive presentation with very little hands-on work.

What You’ll Need

Herb-Roasted Cornish Hen

Individual Cornish hens rubbed with garlic and herb butter, roasted until golden and juicy.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 380kcal

Ingredients

• 4 Cornish hens
• 6 tbsp butter softened
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
• 1 lemon quartered
• Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Mix softened butter with garlic, thyme, and rosemary in a small bowl.
• Pat hens dry and rub the herb butter generously over and under the skin of each.
• Season cavities with salt and pepper and stuff each with a lemon quarter.
• Truss legs with kitchen twine and arrange hens on a roasting pan.
• Roast 45–50 minutes, until a thermometer inserted in the thigh reads 165°F (74°C) and skin is golden.
• Rest 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 380kcal | Protein: 32g | Fat: 26g

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Health Benefits

• Cornish hens provide lean protein in a naturally portion-controlled size.
• Fresh herbs add flavor and antioxidants without relying on added salt.
• A simple butter-and-herb preparation keeps the dish free of added sugars or fillers.

Pairs Well With

• Slow-Simmered Southern Green Beans
• Cauliflower "Potato" Salad, Mustard Style