Cornish Game Hens with Orange and Honey Recipe

Name: Cornish Game Hens with Orange and Honey
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups orange juice; 1 1/4 cups dry red wine; 1/2 cup honey; 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 4 1 1/2-pound Cornish game hens, giblets removed; 3 small onions, quartered; 12 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 bunch watercress

Servings: persons

1
Preheat oven to 400F.
2
Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl.
3
Pour 2 cups sauce into medium saucepan.
4
Reserve remaining 1 cup sauce.
5
Rinse hens inside and out.
6
Pat hens dry with paper towels.
7
Cut and scrape off any visible fat from hens.
8
Sprinkle inside and out with salt and pepper.
9
Place 3 onion quarters and 3 garlic cloves in cavity of each hen.
10
Arrange hens on rack on large rimmed baking sheet.
11
Roast hens 10 minutes.
12
Baste with reserved 1 cup sauce.
13
Continue roasting until hens are golden and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, basting often with pan juices and reserved 1 cup sauce, about 45 minutes longer.
14
Transfer hens to cutting board; tent with foil to keep warm.
15
Transfer pan juices to 4-cup glass measuring cup.
16
Spoon fat off top of pan juices.
17
Pour pan juices into 2 cups sauce in saucepan.
18
Boil until sauce is reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 12 minutes.
19
Discard onions and garlic from hen cavities.
20
Using poultry shears, cut hens in half lengthwise.
21
Remove backbones.
22
Spoon some sauce onto plates.
23
Place hens atop sauce.
24
Garnish with watercress.
25
Serve with remaining sauce.

683

kcal

Calories

Fat

156

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave for a slightly different but equally rich sweetness.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 1/4 cups orange juice, 1 1/4 cups dry red wine, 1/2 cup honey, 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, and more.

Yes, Cornish Game Hens with Orange and Honey falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Cornish Game Hens with Orange and Honey

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions