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Roasted Cornish Hen with Vegetables

This Roasted Cornish Hen with Vegetables dish is super easy and delicious. It’s an entire meal cooked in just one cast iron skillet. 

Roasting Cornish Hens is impressive and only takes about one hour too bake in the oven.

Two Cornish Hens are covered in savory seasonings and garlic and baked until crispy with carrots, potatoes, and onions.

a graphic with a cast iron skillet filled with crispy Oven Roasted Cornish Game Hens with potatoes and carrots
Cornish Game Hen Cast Iron Skillet

This recipe makes a great lunch, dinner, or romantic date night meal idea. Try it for Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day or Christmas.

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How to Roast Cornish Hens

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C) with a 12-inch cast iron skillet inside. Click for a 12-inch cast iron skillet.

Cut the onion into quarters.

an onion cut into quarters.

Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss well to coat.

onion, carrots, and potatoes mixed with oil in a bowl.

Rinse the hens and pat dry with paper towels.

two Cornish game hens on paper towel.

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, thyme, oregano, and ground black pepper and set aside.

oregano, pepper, thyme and salt in a bowl.

Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil, divided evenly, over the top and bottom of each hen.

Next rub the jarred minced garlic, divided evenly, over the top and bottom of each hen.

two cornish hens rubbed with oil and garlic.

Sprinkle half of the herb mixture (reserve the rest), divided evenly, all over the top and bottom of each hen.

two cornish hens with herbs sprinkled on.

Remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and brush with olive oil.

Place the hens into the center of the pan, breast side up. It will make a lovely sizzling sound. Be very careful not to touch the pan and get burned.

two herb covered cornish hens in a cast iron skillet.

Add the potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pan around the hens.

unbaked cornish game hens and vegetables in a cast iron skillet.

Sprinkle the reserved seasoning over the veggies.

Bake for 55 - 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (73.89 C).

Carefully transfer the hens and vegetables to serving plates and enjoy.

a cast iron skillet filled with Roasted Cornish Hen with Potatoes and Carrots.
Roasted Cornish Hen with Potatoes and Carrots

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a cast iron skillet filled with Oven Roasted Cornish Hens and Veggies

Roasted Cornish Hen with Vegetables Recipe

This Roasted Cornish Hen with Vegetables dish is super easy and delicious. It’s an entire meal cooked in just one skillet.
4.45 from 38 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Chicken-Poultry
Cuisine American
Servings 2 generous servings
Calories 1188 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Game Hens (thawed)
  • ½ lb baby fingerling potatoes
  • ½ lb baby carrots
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil (divided, plus more for coating the pan)

Instructions
 

How to cook Cornish hens in the oven:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C) with a 12 inch cast iron skillet inside.
  • Cut the onion into quarters.
  • Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Toss well to coat.
  • Rinse the hens and pat dry with paper towels.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the salt, thyme, oregano, and ground black pepper and set aside.
  • Rub 1 tablespoon of olive oil, divided evenly, over the top and bottom of each hen.
  • Next rub the jarred minced garlic, divided evenly, over the top and bottom of each hen.
  • Sprinkle half of the herb mixture (reserve the rest), divided evenly, all over the top and bottom of each hen.
  • Remove the cast iron skillet from the oven and brush with olive oil.
  • Place the hens into the center of the pan, breast side up. It will make a lovely sizzling sound. Be very careful not to touch the pan and get burned.
  • Add the potatoes, carrots, and onions to the pan around the hens.
  • Sprinkle the remainder of the seasonings over the veggies.
  • Bake for 55 - 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (73.89 C).
  • Carefully transfer the hens and vegetables to serving plates and enjoy.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 1188kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 81gFat: 77gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 38gCholesterol: 455mgSodium: 1537mgPotassium: 1939mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 16193IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 147mgIron: 6mg
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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

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a graphic with a cast iron skillet filled with Oven Roasted Cornish Hens and Veggies Dinner For Two.
Easy Baked Cornish Hen Recipe
4.45 from 38 votes (38 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




john turner

Sunday 13th of February 2022

can I use my Hexclad deep saute fryer pan?

Zona

Sunday 13th of February 2022

Hi John, if it is completely oven safe that should work fine.

Alex

Friday 20th of November 2020

If I use a dutch oven, should I cover the hens with the lid while they're in the oven?

Zona

Saturday 21st of November 2020

Hi Alex, no you do not cover the Dutch oven for this recipe. Thanks for your question :)

Vanessa

Monday 20th of July 2020

Can we replace the carrots with broccolinni and still have the same cooking time?

Zona

Monday 20th of July 2020

Hi Vanessa, I have not tried that but I think it should work just fine. :)

Tanya

Wednesday 15th of January 2020

Can I use a regular baking dish instead?

Zona

Wednesday 15th of January 2020

Hi Tanya, you should be fine using a similar sized oven safe baking dish. Enjoy :)