Hawaiian Cornish Hens
Transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with this Hawaiian Cornish Hens recipe—a show-stopping dish featuring tender, juicy game hens glazed in a rich, sweet-savory pineapple sauce. Infused with the exotic flavors of soy, honey, fresh ginger, and garlic, these hens are roasted to perfection, with a golden, caramelized skin that’s irresistibly flavorful. What sets this recipe apart is the balance of vibrant pineapple juice and a ginger-soy glaze, which doubles as a basting sauce for extra moisture and shine. Perfect for special occasions or dinner parties, this recipe is sure to impress. Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped scallions for a pop of color and freshness, and serve with the remaining glaze for an unforgettable dining experience. With just 20 minutes of prep and the rest handled in the oven, this tropical-inspired main dish is as simple as it is delightful!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 whole Cornish game hens
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Ginger powder
- 1.5 cups Pineapple juice
- 0.25 cups Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Water
- 0.5 cups Fresh pineapple chunks (optional, for garnish)
- 2 stalks Scallions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the hens all over (inside and outside) with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
Place the hens on a roasting rack over a baking dish, ensuring they're not touching for even cooking.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, fresh minced ginger, and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Slowly add this slurry to the saucepan while stirring, allowing the glaze to thicken. Remove from heat once it's reached a syrupy consistency.
Brush a generous amount of the pineapple glaze over the hens. Reserve half of the glaze for basting during cooking and for serving later.
Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the meat (avoiding bone). Baste them with the glaze every 15 minutes to lock in flavor and create a shiny, caramelized finish.
Once cooked, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.
Garnish the hens with fresh pineapple chunks and chopped scallions, if desired.
Serve hot with leftover glaze on the side for dipping or drizzling. Enjoy your tropical-inspired meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
626 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.6 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.7 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 200 mg | 67% | |
| Sodium | 1725 mg | 75% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 30.6 g | 11% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.3 g | 5% | |
| Total Sugars | 24.7 g | ||
| Protein | 59.5 g | 119% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 72 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 3.8 mg | 21% | |
| Potassium | 795 mg | 17% | |
*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.
