Cornish Hens with Ancho Cider Glaze
Elevate your dinner table with these decadent Cornish Hens with Ancho Cider Glaze, a perfect fusion of sweet, smoky, and warm spices. This recipe marries tender, golden-roasted Cornish hens with a luscious glaze made from spiced apple cider, honey, and fragrant thyme. The bold flavors of ancho chile powder, cinnamon, and cumin create a beautifully aromatic crust on the hens, while the cider glaze adds a delightful caramelized finish. Ready in just over an hour, this dish is the ultimate centerpiece for an elegant dinner party or a special family meal. Serve these succulent hens alongside roasted vegetables or a crisp green salad for a complete and unforgettable dining experience.
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Ingredients
- 2 units Cornish hens (about 1-1.5 lbs each)
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoons Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Ancho chile powder
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 cup Apple cider
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 3 units Fresh thyme sprigs
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large roasting pan with aluminum foil and set a rack inside.
Step 2
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Season the hens inside and out with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper per hen.
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix the ancho chile powder, ground cinnamon, and ground cumin. Rub this spice mixture all over the hens, ensuring they're evenly coated.
Step 4
Place the hens breast-side up on the prepared roasting rack. Drizzle them with olive oil to help with browning.
Step 5
In a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, honey, unsalted butter, and fresh thyme sprigs. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, then remove the thyme and set the glaze aside.
Step 6
Roast the hens in the oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, brush the glaze generously over the hens.
Step 7
Continue roasting for another 40 minutes, basting every 10 minutes with the glaze, until the hens reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
Step 8
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1270.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2547.6 |
| Total Fat 181.1g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 55.8g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 702.4mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1628.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 70.0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 3.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 59.1g | |
| Protein 162.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 188.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 11.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1742.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories