Cornish Game Hens with Feta
Elevate your dinner table with these succulent Cornish Game Hens with Feta—a show-stopping recipe that's perfect for special occasions or an elegant weeknight meal. These tender hens are filled with a flavorful stuffing of crumbled feta, fresh herbs, garlic, and zesty lemon for a Mediterranean twist. Brushed with olive oil and seasoned with paprika for golden, crispy skin, they’re roasted to perfection and basted with a buttery chicken broth for extra juiciness. With just 20 minutes of prep time and approachable ingredients, this dish is both sophisticated and surprisingly simple to make. Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to complete this gourmet experience! Ideal for fans of Mediterranean-inspired recipes, baked poultry dishes, or flavorful stuffed mains.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 3 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh dill, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper, freshly ground
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons Butter, melted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a roasting pan with a rack inside it to the side for later use.
Prepare the stuffing by combining the crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and half the lemon juice in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Remove any excess fat and ensure the cavity is empty.
Season the cavities of the hens with a pinch of salt and pepper. Spoon the prepared feta mixture into the cavities of each hen, dividing it evenly.
Tie the legs of each hen together with kitchen twine to hold the stuffing in place and ensure even cooking.
Brush the outside of each hen with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle the skin with the remaining salt, black pepper, and paprika for flavor and color.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, remaining lemon juice, and melted butter. This will be your basting liquid.
Place the hens breast-side up on the prepared roasting rack. Pour half of the basting liquid into the bottom of the roasting pan.
Roast the hens in the oven for 60 minutes, basting every 20 minutes with the remaining basting liquid, until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the thigh.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute for optimal flavor.
Serve the Cornish game hens whole or halved, with the stuffing and pan juices drizzled over the top. Pair with a side of roasted vegetables or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2862 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 194.0 g | 249% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.0 g | 315% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 933 mg | 311% | |
| Sodium | 4522 mg | 197% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13.7 g | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.8 g | ||
| Protein | 247.0 g | 494% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.9 mcg | 14% | |
| Calcium | 629 mg | 48% | |
| Iron | 15.0 mg | 83% | |
| Potassium | 2700 mg | 57% | |
*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.
