Orange Ginger Glazed Cornish Game Hens
Elevate your next dinner gathering with these tender and juicy Orange Ginger Glazed Cornish Game Hens, a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and citrusy flavors. These petite hens are seared to golden perfection, then roasted in a luscious glaze made with fresh orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and the warm kick of grated ginger. The recipe offers a restaurant-quality presentation, complete with a buttery glaze finish and optional rosemary garnish for an aromatic touch. Ideal for special occasions, this dish is as beautiful as it is delicious, with minimal prep time and a flavor profile that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a light citrus salad. Don't forget to baste frequently for that irresistibly glossy, caramelized skin!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 whole Cornish game hens
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 cup Fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Orange zest
- 2 teaspoons Fresh ginger (grated)
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Rinse the Cornish game hens inside and out and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both the inside and outside of the hens with salt and black pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Sear the hens for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the hens and set aside.
In the same skillet or pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the orange juice, orange zest, grated ginger, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Place the hens back into the skillet or pan with the glaze. Use a spoon or brush to coat the hens thoroughly with the glaze.
Transfer the skillet or pan to the preheated oven. Roast the hens for 45-50 minutes, basting them with the glaze every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the breast.
In the last 5 minutes of roasting, add the butter to the skillet/pan to enrich the glaze. Spoon the butter-infused glaze over the hens before serving.
Remove the hens from the oven and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving.
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired and serve with additional glaze drizzled on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
700 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.4 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.2 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 215 mg | 72% | |
| Sodium | 1476 mg | 64% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 21.1 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.9 g | ||
| Protein | 59.0 g | 118% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 57 mg | 4% | |
| Iron | 3.6 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 735 mg | 16% | |
*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.
