Cornish Game Hens with Bacon and Cranberry Sauce
Elevate your dinner table with these succulent Cornish Game Hens with Bacon and Cranberry Sauce—a recipe that combines elegant presentation with rich, festive flavors. Perfectly seasoned with a savory blend of thyme, paprika, and black pepper, the game hens are wrapped in crispy, smoky bacon for a delightful twist. The real showstopper, however, is the homemade cranberry sauce, simmered to perfection with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a hint of cinnamon for a tangy-sweet balance. Roasted to golden-brown perfection and finished with a quick broil for irresistibly crisp bacon, these individual hens make a stunning centerpiece for holiday feasts, dinner parties, or special occasions. Serve alongside the vibrant cranberry sauce for a dish that’s as visually striking as it is delicious. Optimize your next gathering with this timeless combination of autumnal flavors and crowd-pleasing appeal!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Cornish game hens
- 8 slices Bacon
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 cups Fresh cranberries
- 1 cup Orange juice
- 0.75 cup Sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 cup Water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels. Rub each hen with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.
In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the game hens.
Wrap each hen with 2 slices of bacon, ensuring they overlap slightly to cover the bird. Use kitchen twine to secure the legs if necessary.
Place the prepared game hens on a roasting pan, breast side up, and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar, ground cinnamon, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Cook the cranberry sauce for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Roast the game hens in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
If the bacon is not crisp after roasting, broil the hens on high for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve the Cornish game hens with the cranberry sauce on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1362 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 67.9 g | 87% | |
| Saturated Fat | 18.5 g | 92% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 416 mg | 139% | |
| Sodium | 1042 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 57.6 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.4 g | 16% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.2 g | ||
| Protein | 121.1 g | 242% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 105 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 7.4 mg | 41% | |
| Potassium | 1407 mg | 30% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
