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+ servings
sheet pan filled with potatoes, brussels sprouts and cornish hens garnished with lemon slices
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5 from 5 votes

Easy Roasted Cornish Hen Recipe with Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Cornish Hens are easy to make and perfect for special occasions. They are spatchcocked then seasoned with fresh herbs and lemon juice and baked on a sheet pan with sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American, English
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 137.17kcal
Author: Sarah Hill

Ingredients

  • 2 (1-2 pound) Cornish game hens
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 sprig each of fresh thyme and rosemary
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • 1 sweet potato diced
  • 2 cups brussels sprouts quartered

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Pat dry the Cornish hens with paper towels and place them on a flat, sturdy surface.
  • Spatchcock the hens. The backbone should be facing up towards you. Use kitchen shears to carefully snip along each side of the backbone.
  • When the backbone is removed, flip the hen over so the breasts are facing up. Grab underneath the breasts with your fingers so your thumbs are still on the breasts. Push down with your thumbs at the same time you pull out with your fingers. You should hear the bone crack and the hen should now lay flat.
  • Place the Cornish hens breast side up on a sheet pan. Scatter the diced sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts around the hens.
  • Season everything with olive oil, salt and black pepper. To a bowl, add the lemon juice, garlic, thyme and rosemary. With a pastry brush, rub this mixture all over the hens.
  • Place the sheet pan in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. The internal temperature of the Cornish hens should be 165 degrees F. Cook longer in 5 minutes increments if the hen is below 165 degrees.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure you use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the hens. Remove them from the oven once they reach 165 degrees F. Any longer and they can begin to dry out.
  • If you want extra crispy skin, place the hens under the broiler until the skin turns golden brown

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 137.17kcal | Carbohydrates: 17.22g | Protein: 2.73g | Fat: 7.29g | Saturated Fat: 1.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.84g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5.16g | Cholesterol: 0.51mg | Sodium: 624.47mg | Potassium: 390.9mg | Fiber: 3.84g | Sugar: 3.68g | Vitamin A: 8352.43IU | Vitamin C: 46.38mg | Calcium: 43.25mg | Iron: 1.14mg