Lemon Pepper Marinated Cornish Hen Recipes

LEMON PEPPER CORNISH GAME HENS

Steps:

• Combine the zest of 1 lemon, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
• Wash both Cornish Hens and pat dry. Separate the skin from the flesh using your fingers. Make sure you leave pockets over the breasts, legs, and thighs. (*Do NOT remove the skin! Just make a pocket between skin and meat.)
• Scooping small finger-fulls of brine, rub the brine in your pockets directly over the flesh of your birds. Remember to also rub brine on the outside skin of your birds and into the cavity.
• Place in a plastic bag and rest in the fridge breast-side up for 24 hours.
• Flip breast-side down for 24 hours.
• Remove from the bag, set on a plate breast-side up, and return to the fridge for the last 12 hours.
• OPTIONAL: Remove chicken from the fridge 2 hours before cooking and rest on the counter.
• Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a sheetpan with parchment paper.
• Slice potatoes, onions, and zucchini. If there are large mushrooms, slice as well.
• Toss veggies in olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, pepper and salt. Spread over the parchment paper, leaving room for the two hens.
• Place the hens amongst the vegetables on the sheetpan.
• OPTIONAL: You can choose to truss them or at least tie their legs together for modesty. (Kidding, but it does stop them from spreading and tearing that crispy skin!)
• Roast in the oven for 45-50 minutes.
• Remove and let cool for 10 minutes before serving!

ROASTED CORNISH GAME HENS WITH LEMON PEPPER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350º F.
• Remove the hens from their packages and be sure there are no packets of organs in the cavity.
• Spray a small sheet pan or 9x13 pan with oil.
• Place the hens into the pan. Optional: You can use bakers twine to tie the legs together if you like. If you plan to roast vegetables with the hens, add those to your sheet pan too.
• Place the butter, garlic, lemon juice, and salt into a small microwave-safe dish. Microwave for 20-25 seconds until the butter is melted.
• Brush the hens with the butter mixture. Be sure to gently lift the skin and brush the mixture under the breasts as well so the flavor bakes in nicely.
• Sprinkle the hens with lemon pepper seasoning.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Carefully baste more of the butter mixture over the hens.
• Bake an additional 30-40 minutes until the internal temperature of the hens is 165º F.

CORNISH HENS WITH LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over hens. Rub butter all over hens. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes. Cut hens in half lengthwise. Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges.

LEMON PEPPER MARINATED CORNISH HEN

Steps:

• Wash and clean hen,cut in hafe down the braest bone. Make pocket under the skin with a knife, tuck rosemary under the skin. Place in frezzer bag add marinated. Refragate for 4hr. take out of bag and Place on hot grill cook for 2hr. Turn the hen every 10 to 15 min.So the skin won't burn. To make shure the meat is done micowave it for 5min.

LEMON-THYME CORNISH HENS

Steps:

• In an bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Place hens on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Tuck wings under hen. Spoon half of butter sauce over hens. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 40-45 minutes or until juices run clear and a thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with remaining sauce.