Cornish Hens the Easy Way

This Cornish hen recipe uses fresh lime, chili powder, and cumin to season game hens before roasting for a delicious, elegant special occasion dinner.

• Preparation Time: 5 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 332 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 Cornish game hens
• kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 limes, halved
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon chili powder

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Step 2

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 3

Rub each hen with a lime half. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with chili powder, cumin, kosher salt, and black pepper. Place hens on a rack in a shallow roasting pan.

Step 4

Roast hens in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.

Step 5

Continue roasting until no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes before slicing.