Spice Roasted Cornish Hens with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Elevate your dinner table with these Spice Roasted Cornish Hens with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce—a stunning, flavor-packed recipe that's surprisingly easy to prepare. Whole Cornish hens are rubbed with an aromatic blend of paprika, cumin, coriander, and a hint of cayenne for the perfect balance of smoky and spicy flavors. Roasted until golden and succulent, the hens pair beautifully with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce infused with fresh dill, mint, and a splash of zesty lemon. With its contrasting bold spices and cooling accompaniment, this dish is ideal for entertaining or a cozy gourmet dinner at home. Serve alongside roasted vegetables or buttery pilaf for a complete, unforgettable meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 whole Cornish hens
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 large Garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoons Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Plain Greek yogurt
• 1 large Cucumber
• 2 tablespoons Fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground turmeric (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Fresh mint leaves

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels and set them aside.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. If desired, add ground turmeric for a warmer flavor.

Step 4

Rub the spice mixture all over the Cornish hens, including under the skin for maximum flavor.

Step 5

Place the hens on a roasting rack set over a baking tray, breast side up. Tuck the wings under and tie the legs together with kitchen twine.

Step 6

Roast the hens in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast and juices run clear.

Step 7

While the hens are roasting, prepare the cucumber yogurt sauce: Peel and finely grate the cucumber, then squeeze out any excess water using a clean kitchen towel.

Step 8

In a medium bowl, combine the grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh dill, and finely chopped mint leaves. Stir until well mixed and season with a pinch of salt to taste. Chill the sauce in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Step 9

Once the hens are done, let them rest for 10 minutes before carving.

Step 10

Serve the spice-roasted Cornish hens with a generous dollop of cucumber yogurt sauce on the side. Garnish with extra fresh dill or mint leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1772.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2702.9

Total Fat 169.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 45.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.3g
Cholesterol 774.5mg	0%
Sodium 5528.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 42.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.0g	0%
Total Sugars 17.0g
Protein 250.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 613.8mg	0%
Iron 18.8mg	0%
Potassium 3349.6mg	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: 56.5%

Protein: 37.2%

Carbs: 6.3%