Roasted Cornish Hens with Dried Cherry Stuffing
Elevate your next dinner gathering with these elegant Roasted Cornish Hens with Dried Cherry Stuffing. Perfectly seasoned Cornish hens are stuffed with a delightful blend of savory and sweet, featuring tender bread cubes, tangy dried cherries, aromatic fresh herbs, and a touch of garlic and onion. Roasted to golden perfection, these hens are juicy, flavorful, and irresistibly crisp on the outside. The dried cherry stuffing, moistened with a hint of chicken broth, adds a festive and decadent flair to this dish, making it ideal for holidays or special occasions. Garnished with fresh lemon wedges for a zesty finish, this easy yet impressive recipe serves four and requires just 90 minutes from start to finish. Whether it’s a cozy family meal or a celebration-worthy feast, these stuffed hens are sure to delight! Keywords: roasted Cornish hens, dried cherry stuffing, special occasion recipe, holiday dinner idea, golden roasted poultry.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 whole (approximately 1.5 pounds each) Cornish hens
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 small Yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 3 cups Day-old bread cubes
- 0.5 cups Chicken broth
- 0.5 cups Dried cherries
- 1 teaspoon Fresh thyme, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoons Paprika
- 2 pieces (for garnish) Lemon wedges
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish large enough to fit both Cornish hens.
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels and season the cavity of each bird with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Brush the outside with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with paprika, additional salt, and pepper. Set aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the bread cubes, dried cherries, thyme, and parsley. Gradually pour in the chicken broth, stirring until the mixture is moist but not soggy.
Stuff each Cornish hen with the prepared stuffing. If there’s leftover stuffing, place it in a greased, small baking dish and bake alongside the hens.
Place the stuffed Cornish hens in the prepared baking dish, breast-side up. Brush with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Roast the Cornish hens in the preheated oven for approximately 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165°F (74°C) and the hens are golden brown on the outside. Baste the birds with juices from the pan once or twice during roasting.
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with lemon wedges and serve warm with additional stuffing on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5243 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 239.7 g | 307% | |
| Saturated Fat | 70.9 g | 355% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1082 mg | 361% | |
| Sodium | 5496 mg | 239% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 392.6 g | 143% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 27.6 g | 99% | |
| Total Sugars | 48.0 g | ||
| Protein | 375.1 g | 750% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 809 mg | 62% | |
| Iron | 30.5 mg | 169% | |
| Potassium | 4023 mg | 86% | |
*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.
