Cornish Game Hens with Bacon and Cranberry Sauce

Elevate your dinner table with these succulent Cornish Game Hens with Bacon and Cranberry Sauce—a recipe that combines elegant presentation with rich, festive flavors. Perfectly seasoned with a savory blend of thyme, paprika, and black pepper, the game hens are wrapped in crispy, smoky bacon for a delightful twist. The real showstopper, however, is the homemade cranberry sauce, simmered to perfection with fresh cranberries, orange juice, and a hint of cinnamon for a tangy-sweet balance. Roasted to golden-brown perfection and finished with a quick broil for irresistibly crisp bacon, these individual hens make a stunning centerpiece for holiday feasts, dinner parties, or special occasions. Serve alongside the vibrant cranberry sauce for a dish that’s as visually striking as it is delicious. Optimize your next gathering with this timeless combination of autumnal flavors and crowd-pleasing appeal!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Cornish game hens
• 8 slices Bacon
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 cups Fresh cranberries
• 1 cup Orange juice
• 0.75 cup Sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.25 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels. Rub each hen with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 3

In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the game hens.

Step 4

Wrap each hen with 2 slices of bacon, ensuring they overlap slightly to cover the bird. Use kitchen twine to secure the legs if necessary.

Step 5

Place the prepared game hens on a roasting pan, breast side up, and set aside.

Step 6

In a medium saucepan, combine fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar, ground cinnamon, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Cook the cranberry sauce for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 8

Roast the game hens in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).

Step 9

If the bacon is not crisp after roasting, broil the hens on high for 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Step 10

Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Step 11

Serve the Cornish game hens with the cranberry sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2962.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5471.2

Total Fat 272.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 72.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.6g
Cholesterol 1663.4mg	0%
Sodium 4850.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 228.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.6g	0%
Total Sugars 187.2g
Protein 486.0g	0%

Vitamin D 210.2IU	0%
Calcium 402.1mg	0%
Iron 27.5mg	0%
Potassium 5592.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.2%

Protein: 36.6%

Carbs: 17.2%