Cornish Game Hens with Cherry Rice Stuffing
Elevate your next dinner gathering with these succulent Cornish Game Hens with Cherry Rice Stuffing, a show-stopping dish infused with comforting flavors and a touch of elegance. Perfectly roasted game hens are generously seasoned and stuffed with a fragrant mixture of buttery rice, sweet-tart dried cherries, crunchy slivered almonds, and fresh parsley. The combination of citrusy hints from roasted lemon wedges and aromatic thyme creates a beautifully balanced flavor profile, while the glistening paprika-dusted skin adds visual appeal. This recipe is surprisingly approachable, featuring just 30 minutes of prep time, and makes an exquisite centerpiece for special occasions or holiday feasts. Serve these golden, individually portioned hens alongside their vibrant stuffing for a meal that’s both hearty and unforgettable. Keywords: Cornish game hens, cherry rice stuffing, roasted game hens, holiday meal, elegant dinner recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Cornish game hens
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 4 cloves Minced garlic
- 1 cup Uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 0.5 cup Dried cherries
- 0.25 cup Slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 piece Lemon
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the Cornish game hens inside and out with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
Rub the outside of each hen with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season inside and out with 1.5 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Stir the uncooked rice into the saucepan and toast it lightly for 2-3 minutes.
Add the chicken broth to the saucepan and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Once the rice is cooked, stir in the dried cherries, slivered almonds, parsley, and thyme. Set the stuffing aside to cool slightly.
Stuff each Cornish game hen with the cherry rice mixture. Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together if necessary to keep the stuffing in place.
Place the hens on a roasting pan fitted with a rack. Sprinkle the paprika evenly over the hens for added color.
Cut the lemon into wedges and place them around the hens in the roasting pan for additional flavor.
Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve the Cornish game hens alongside any leftover cherry rice stuffing. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5610 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 301.8 g | 387% | |
| Saturated Fat | 83.0 g | 415% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1662 mg | 554% | |
| Sodium | 7498 mg | 326% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 194.8 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.6 g | ||
| Protein | 482.6 g | 965% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.0 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 505 mg | 39% | |
| Iron | 31.6 mg | 176% | |
| Potassium | 5442 mg | 116% | |
*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.
