Orange Ginger Glazed Cornish Game Hens

Elevate your next dinner gathering with these tender and juicy Orange Ginger Glazed Cornish Game Hens, a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and citrusy flavors. These petite hens are seared to golden perfection, then roasted in a luscious glaze made with fresh orange juice, honey, soy sauce, and the warm kick of grated ginger. The recipe offers a restaurant-quality presentation, complete with a buttery glaze finish and optional rosemary garnish for an aromatic touch. Ideal for special occasions, this dish is as beautiful as it is delicious, with minimal prep time and a flavor profile that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a light citrus salad. Don't forget to baste frequently for that irresistibly glossy, caramelized skin!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 whole Cornish game hens
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 cup Fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon Orange zest
• 2 teaspoons Fresh ginger (grated)
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons Honey
• 2 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 2 sprigs Fresh rosemary (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Rinse the Cornish game hens inside and out and pat them dry with paper towels. Season both the inside and outside of the hens with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or roasting pan over medium-high heat. Sear the hens for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the hens and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet or pan, reduce the heat to medium and add the orange juice, orange zest, grated ginger, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic. Stir well and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 5

Place the hens back into the skillet or pan with the glaze. Use a spoon or brush to coat the hens thoroughly with the glaze.

Step 6

Transfer the skillet or pan to the preheated oven. Roast the hens for 45-50 minutes, basting them with the glaze every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured in the thickest part of the breast.

Step 7

In the last 5 minutes of roasting, add the butter to the skillet/pan to enrich the glaze. Spoon the butter-infused glaze over the hens before serving.

Step 8

Remove the hens from the oven and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes before carving.

Step 9

Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired and serve with additional glaze drizzled on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1441.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2816.6

Total Fat 162.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 865.8mg	0%
Sodium 6725.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.5g	0%
Total Sugars 72.6g
Protein 236.4g	0%

Vitamin D 104.5IU	0%
Calcium 224.1mg	0%
Iron 14.5mg	0%
Potassium 2903.7mg	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: 53.1%

Protein: 34.4%

Carbs: 12.5%