Name: Roasted Cornish Hen with Vegetables
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Game Hens (thawed); 1/2 lb baby fingerling potatoes; 1/2 lb baby carrots; 1 onion; 1 Tbsp minced garlic; 1 tsp Kosher Salt; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp oregano; 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper; 2 Tbsp olive oil (divided, plus more for coating the pan)

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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.

Place the potatoes, carrots, and onions in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the 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.

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.

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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