Cornish Hen with Tart Cherry Sauce

A rich tart cherry sauce simmers on the stovetop while herbed Cornish hens bake in the oven. Make on a weeknight or serve to your favorite dinner guests.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Calories: 646 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 2 Cornish game hens
• 1 (15 ounce) can tart cherries, drained
• 0.25 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 cup white wine
• 0.125 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 cups red wine
• 0.25 cup pulp-free orange juice

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Combine sea salt, black pepper, thyme, garlic powder, rosemary, and paprika in a bowl. Place hens on a baking sheet and evenly brush with 5 tablespoons butter. Rub hens with spice mixture.

Step 3

Bake hens in preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 1/2 hours, basting every 1/2 hour with white wine. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C).

Step 4

Mix cherries, red wine, orange juice, and brown sugar in a saucepan; bring to a boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir in 2 tablespoons butter, and cook until sugar is dissolved and butter is melted, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle flour into the sauce; whisk until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Drizzle cherry sauce over cooked hens.