Pomegranate and Honey Roasted Game Hens
Elevate your dinner table with these elegant Pomegranate and Honey Roasted Game Hens, an impressive yet approachable dish perfect for special occasions or a fancy weeknight treat. Cornish game hens are glazed with a luscious blend of pomegranate juice, honey, soy sauce, and olive oil, giving them a sweet, tangy, and savory flavor profile. Enhanced with aromatic rosemary and garlic, these game hens roast to golden perfection, with their skin crisping beautifully while the meat remains juicy and tender. Garnish with jeweled pomegranate arils and fresh parsley for a stunning presentation. Ready in just 80 minutes, this recipe yields four individual servings, making it ideal for entertaining or enjoying a restaurant-quality meal at home. Pair these irresistible roasted game hens with roasted vegetables or a side of fluffy couscous for a complete feast. Keywords: pomegranate and honey glaze, roasted game hens, Cornish hens recipe, holiday dinner ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 whole (approximately 1.5 lbs each) Cornish game hens
- 1 cup Pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary
- 4 cloves (minced) Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.25 cup (optional for garnish) Pomegranate arils
- 1 tablespoon (chopped, optional for garnish) Fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the game hens dry with paper towels and place them on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan.
In a small bowl, whisk together pomegranate juice, honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Gently loosen the skin of each game hen by sliding your fingers between the skin and the meat, being careful not to tear the skin.
Insert a sprig of rosemary under the skin of each bird for added flavor.
Brush the pomegranate-honey mixture generously over the hens, making sure to coat them evenly, including the cavity.
Tie the legs of each bird together with kitchen twine to ensure even cooking.
Roast the game hens in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue roasting for an additional 40 minutes, basting the hens with the juices from the pan every 15 minutes.
Check for doneness using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone; it should read 165°F (74°C).
Once cooked, remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes, loosely tented with foil, to allow the juices to redistribute.
Transfer the game hens to a serving platter and garnish with pomegranate arils and chopped parsley, if desired.
Serve warm and enjoy your Pomegranate and Honey Roasted Game Hens!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3314 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 178.4 g | 229% | |
| Saturated Fat | 45.2 g | 226% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1089 mg | 363% | |
| Sodium | 3934 mg | 171% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 84.4 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.8 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 76.6 g | ||
| Protein | 316.4 g | 633% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.4 mcg | 17% | |
| Calcium | 263 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 18.2 mg | 101% | |
| Potassium | 3467 mg | 74% | |
*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.
