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Cornish Hens Roasted with Lemon Pepper

This little bird is neither a game bird or a hen.  Game hens are commercially raised, young chickens and can be a hen or a tom.  They have tender meat and look a bit fancy on the plate!  So here is a quick and easy way to cook and serve them!

Course: Main Course
Keyword: chicken, lemon, poultry
Servings: 4 people
Author: HelenFern
Ingredients
  • 2 whole Cornish game hens
  • 1/4 cup citrus infused olive oil (substitute regular extra virgin)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon pepper
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
Instructions
  1. Cut each hen in half lengthwise.  Sprinkle half the salt on pepper on the inside of each half. Turn.  Drizzle the skin side with olive oil, then evenly sprinkle the remaining salt and pepper over it.

  2. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and cook for about another 45 minutes to an hour (or until internal temperature in the thigh reaches 170 degrees). Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. There should be no pink left in the meat. Be careful not to over cook or it will dry out - it should be fork tender and moist!

  3. Serve with rice. Pour the dripping over the rice and the bird at serving. There is very little fat in the hens, so the dripping are almost all olive oil with the seasonings.