Marinated Cornish Game Hens Recipe
Marinated Cornish Game Hens recipe is is an easy make-ahead recipe, with a savory ginger-soy-lime marinade. Delicious for any party!
Being prepared for entertaining is really what makes a get-together successful. And that’s why I LOVE this Marinated Cornish Game Hens Recipe.
What is the differene between a chicken and cornish game hen?
Cornish game hens are just very small, tender chickens, and not very old. They are not Cornish. (The name just denotes the breed.)
Marinated Cornish Game Hens Recipe
This is a great recipe to make for fall and winter dinner parties! Or, try my Grilled Cornish Game Hens! It’s easy to follow, and great to make-ahead if you’re having company over for dinner.
Marinated Cornish Game Hens Recipe
If you’ve never split a cornish game hen, watch the video. It’s really easy!
And the marinade? SO GOOD!
Ingredients for cornish hens
Here’s what you need for this easy recipe!
- Cornish Game hens
- Soy sauce + olive oil
- Garlic cloves
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Ground ginger
- Brown sugar
- Lime juice
What to serve with cornish hens
When I’m not prepared, I’m scattered, frustrated, and grumpy. Who wants to be around a grumpy hostess? (My family for sure does not).
Part of being a prepared hostess is not only knowing what you are going to cook, but making sure that it’s easy and dinner-party worthy.
This recipe is fabulous served with my Potato-Fennel Gratin Recipe! Also try my Baked Asparagus Shaved Parmesan or Perfect Instant Pot Brown Rice (in photos).
How to make Marinated Cornish Game Hens
This Cornish Game Hens recipe is great for dinner parties. Here’s why:
- 24 hours ahead of time, marinate the Cornish Game Hens (super easy steps)
- 1 hour before company comes, pop in the oven.
- Baste the hens every 15 minutes.
Basting is a great job to give your kids … have you ever tried that?
Making the marinade
There are 2 ways you can make the marinade.
- Blend it completely into a red sauce.
- Just mix ingredients together (more chunky), and do not blend.
I’ve made it both ways– delicious!
Here’s my list of tips that help me get prepared and stay on track for a dinner party.
Be prepared:
-Choose a main dish that you can prepare ahead of time, that takes very little of your time the day of the dinner. (You marinate this recipe ahead of time, up to 24-36 hours.)
-Get your shopping done 1-2 days ahead of time.
-Make a list and cross things off as you complete them.
-Make a list of what items need to go in the oven, with a time frame.
-Know what your guests are bringing. KNOW YOUR MENU. Write it out and place it on the refrigerator so you can keep checking it.
-Have any condiments, butter, or extra food items you’ll need, in dishes, ready to put on the table. Get prep work done ahead of time.
-Count backwards and plan out your time for what needs to be done at certain times.
-Know in advance what you want to wear.
-Use my 10-minute Countdown Method.
I’ve made these hens for many occasions, and our entire family loves them. The flavor is … well, you decide. Fantastic!
My friend, Jenny, shared the recipe years ago, and it’s so good!
More recipes:
Cranberry BBQ Sauce Cornish Hens [Nutmeg Nanny], Coca Cola Glazed Cornish Hens [Grandbaby Cakes].
Get the Recipe:
Marinated Cornish Game Hens Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 game hens split in half
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves sliced
- 2 TBS toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 TBS brown sugar
- 3 TBS lime juice
Instructions
- Lay hens skin side down in glass dish. Prick each several times with a fork. In blender or food processor, blend all above ingredients until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Place hens in a ziplock bag (you can double bag), pour marinade over, seal bag and refrigerate 6-24 hrs, turning occasionally.
- Transfer hens to a 9×13 baking dish, single layer, skin side up. Reserve marinade.
- Roast at 400 for 1 hour. Baste with marinade every 15 minutes.
- Serve right away!
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Loved this recipe. Everyone had seconds. Very easy to make. Will make it again.
Delicious. I baked at 375 F for 50 minutes then left in oven with heat off for another 5 minutes. Then covered with aluminum foil until time to serve. The hens were moist and flavorful. All other hens I’ve baked were dry. Great recipe
I go camping a lot and would like to know if this recipe can be made ahead and frozen?
I have never tried it frozen! Sorry!
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Easy Roast
This Cuban Roast Cornish Game Hens dish is made by marinating cornish game hens in a lime-juice-garlic-fresh oregano based marinade overnight and roasting them in the oven for over an hour. … After bringing it down to three of them, I finally decided on this Cuban Roast Cornish Game
Hi, just want to make sure that when you say “roast at 400 degrees “, that means I would just bake at 400 degrees. Is that correct?
Yes! ENJOY!
I just saw this recipe and want to cook it tonight. Can I still marinate it in less than 4 hours?
I think it would be fine to marinate in 4 hours, Linda. Of course, there’s going to be more flavor the longer you can marinate (but you know this). Just keep basting it! :)