Roast Cornish Game Hens with Savory Fruit Stuffing

Elevate your next dinner gathering with these succulent Roast Cornish Game Hens with Savory Fruit Stuffing, a dish that blends elegance and bold flavors in every bite. Perfectly seasoned and oven-roasted to golden perfection, these tender game hens are stuffed with a delightful medley of dried apricots, cranberries, pecans, and aromatic herbs, giving them a sweet and savory twist. The stuffing, moistened with chicken broth and bound with cubes of day-old bread, absorbs the juices from the hens, resulting in irresistibly rich flavors. Accented with sprigs of fresh rosemary and zesty lemon halves, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Ready in just over an hour and a half, this recipe is ideal for intimate dinner parties or festive occasions, delivering sophisticated comfort with minimal effort.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:75 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces Cornish game hens
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks Celery, diced
• 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Dried apricots, chopped
• 0.5 cup Dried cranberries
• 0.5 cup Pecans, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Dried sage
• 0.5 cup Chicken broth
• 4 cups Day-old bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 4 pieces Fresh rosemary sprigs
• 2 pieces Lemon, halved

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels and season the cavity of each hen with about 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of black pepper.

Step 3

Rub the outside of each hen with olive oil and season evenly with the remaining salt and black pepper. Set aside.

Step 4

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery, and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

Step 5

Stir in the chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, and pecans. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Add the chopped parsley, dried thyme, and dried sage, stirring to combine.

Step 7

Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Stir in the bread cubes and mix well until the liquid is absorbed and the stuffing is moist but not soggy. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 8

Stuff each game hen cavity with the prepared fruit stuffing, packing it loosely to avoid overfilling.

Step 9

Place the stuffed hens in a roasting pan. Tuck a rosemary sprig and a lemon half into the cavity of each hen, alongside the stuffing.

Step 10

Tie the legs of each hen together with kitchen twine to help them hold their shape while roasting.

Step 11

Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 60-75 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh registers 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

Step 12

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

Step 13

Carve the hens and serve with the savory fruit stuffing on the side. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3413.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7225.0

Total Fat 333.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1662mg	0%
Sodium 9520.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 502.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 52.3g	0%
Total Sugars 170.6g
Protein 536.7g	0%

Vitamin D 200IU	0%
Calcium 985.9mg	0%
Iron 53.2mg	0%
Potassium 7621.6mg	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: 41.9%

Protein: 30.0%

Carbs: 28.1%