Honey Orange Cornish Game Hens
Elevate your dinner table with the delectable Honey Orange Cornish Game Hens, a recipe that balances succulent, tender poultry with the rich sweetness of honey and the bright citrus notes of freshly squeezed orange juice. These perfectly roasted hens are infused with the fragrant flavors of rosemary and garlic, basted in a soy-infused honey-orange glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. With golden, crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat, this show-stopping dish is surprisingly simple to prepare in just over an hour. Ideal for intimate gatherings or special occasions, these hens pair beautifully with roasted vegetables or wild rice, making for an elegant and satisfying meal. Perfect for fans of gourmet poultry recipes, this dish combines simplicity with bold flavors for an unforgettable dining experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 1 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Orange zest
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Place them in a roasting pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and orange zest.
Brush the olive oil over the game hens, ensuring the skin is evenly coated. Place a fresh rosemary sprig in the cavity of each hen.
Pour the honey-orange mixture over the hens, making sure to coat them thoroughly. Reserve a few tablespoons of the mixture for basting later.
Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and roast the hens for 40 minutes.
After 40 minutes, baste the hens with the reserved honey-orange mixture and continue roasting for an additional 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the hens reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and slightly caramelized.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve the Honey Orange Cornish Game Hens with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or wild rice, for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2449 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 124.7 g | 160% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.3 g | 161% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 800 mg | 267% | |
| Sodium | 4220 mg | 183% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 80.4 g | 29% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 69.0 g | ||
| Protein | 235.4 g | 471% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 209 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 14.1 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 2868 mg | 61% | |
*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.
