Cornish Hens with Ancho Cider Glaze
Elevate your dinner table with these decadent Cornish Hens with Ancho Cider Glaze, a perfect fusion of sweet, smoky, and warm spices. This recipe marries tender, golden-roasted Cornish hens with a luscious glaze made from spiced apple cider, honey, and fragrant thyme. The bold flavors of ancho chile powder, cinnamon, and cumin create a beautifully aromatic crust on the hens, while the cider glaze adds a delightful caramelized finish. Ready in just over an hour, this dish is the ultimate centerpiece for an elegant dinner party or a special family meal. Serve these succulent hens alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for a complete and unforgettable dining experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 units Cornish hens (about 1-1.5 lbs each)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Ancho chile powder
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 cup Apple cider
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 units Fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil and set a rack inside.
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Season the hens inside and out with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper per hen.
In a small bowl, mix the ancho chile powder, ground cinnamon, and ground cumin. Rub this spice mixture all over the hens, ensuring they're evenly coated.
Place the hens breast-side up on the prepared roasting rack. Drizzle them with olive oil to help with browning.
In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, honey, unsalted butter, and fresh thyme sprigs. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, then remove the thyme and set the glaze aside.
Roast the hens in the oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, brush the glaze generously over the hens.
Continue roasting for another 40 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the glaze, until the hens reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
700 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.5 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.9 g | 64% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 201 mg | 67% | |
| Sodium | 434 mg | 19% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 17.7 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g | 4% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.7 g | ||
| Protein | 50.8 g | 102% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 50 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 18% | |
| Potassium | 517 mg | 11% | |
*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.
