Walnut Pesto Broiled Cornish Hens Recipe

Name: Walnut Pesto Broiled Cornish Hens
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves; 1/2 cup walnuts; 1/2 cup grated Pecorino cheese; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan; 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest; 1 small clove garlic; Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper; 2 Cornish hens, halved (or 4 whole chicken legs); Lemons, for serving; Potatoes, for serving

Servings: persons

1
1.
2
Set the oven rack on the lowest level and preheat the broiler to high.
3
Line the bottom of a broiler pan with foil and brush with oil.
4
2.
5
Combine the parsley, walnuts, pecorino, 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon zest, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor.
6
Add 1 tablespoon water and process until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds.
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(Makes about 1 cup.)
8
3.
9
Pat the chicken dry and carefully loosen the skin to form a pocket under the skin.
10
Lift the skin, and use a spoon or fingers to stuff about 1/4 cup pesto deep into the pockets of each of the halves, cover as much of the meat as possible without breaking the skin.
11
Season each side of the chicken with salt and pepper.
12
Place the chicken skin-side down on the pan and broil until lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
13
Carefully turn to keep the skin intact and cook the other side until crispy and dark brown, about 10 minutes.
14
Garnish with lemon and serve with potatoes.
15
Total Fat: 51 grams
16
Saturated Fat: 12 grams
17
Total Carbohydrates: 3 grams
18
Protein: 37 grams
19
Sodium: 724 milligrams
20
Cholesterol: 185 milligrams
21
Fiber: 1 gram

373

kcal

Calories

Fat

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

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

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 cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup grated Pecorino cheese, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for pan, and more.

Yes, Walnut Pesto Broiled Cornish Hens 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!

Walnut Pesto Broiled Cornish Hens

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions