This easy recipe delivers moist and tender roasted Cornish game hens with nicely crispy skin. The roasted hens are infused with flavor from a homemade seasoning salt made with delicious herbs and spices. The entire dish is easily made in one cast iron pan.
Recipe ingredients and notes:
- Cornish game hens: If you buy frozen game hens, please be sure to let them thaw fully before cooking. It will be difficult to cook them properly if they are still partially frozen on the inside.
- Seasoning salt: I have a recipe for a delicious homemade seasoning salt included in the recipe card below. It's made with salt, thyme, marjoram, garlic powder, onion powder and Hungarian paprika. If you don't have these ingredients on hand, you can use store-bought seasoning salt instead.
- Hungarian paprika: I used Hungarian paprika for the seasoning because the bold flavor of the spice works great with the herbs. I don't recommend substituting smoked paprika in this recipe because the smoky flavor tends to be overpowering, in my opinion.
Photos of the recipe process:
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees F. Briefly rinse the Cornish game hens with cold water, then pat them completely dry with paper towels. Brush the dried game hens with vegetable oil.
- Rub with seasoning salt.
- Place vegetables into 1 large or 2 small cast iron pans. Drizzle a little bit of oil on the vegetables, then sprinkle with seasoning salt.
- Set the hens on top of the vegetables. Transfer to the oven and roast until the meat's internal temperature measures at least 165 degrees F. (about 1 hour). About 50 minutes into the roasting time, baste the skin with the drippings that have accumulated in the pan.
- Turn on the broiler and broil the hens for 3 to 5 minutes to really crisp up the skin. Watch the hens closely so the skin doesn't burn.
Full Recipe
Cast Iron Roasted Cornish Game Hens
This easy recipe delivers moist and tender roasted Cornish game hens infused with flavor from a homemade seasoning salt.
Equipment:
Ingredients:
Method:
For the seasoning salt:
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until well combined. Set aside.
For the Cornish game hens and vegetables:
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Rinse the Cornish game hens briefly with cold water, then pat them completely dry with paper towels.**
- Brush vegetable oil onto the birds, then rub seasoning salt on them. (Use about 1 teaspoon seasoning salt for each hen). Set aside for a moment.
- Place the vegetables into 1 large or 2 small cast iron pans. Drizzle a little bit of oil on the vegetables, then sprinkle them with the remaining seasoning salt (about ½ teaspoon).
- Set the hens on top of the vegetables.
- Transfer the pan(s) to the oven. Roast, uncovered, until the thickest part of the game hens' thigh meat registers at least 165 degrees F. (about 1 hour). About 50 minutes into the roasting time, baste the chicken skin with the drippings that are in the pan.
- Turn on the broiler and broil the hens for 3 to 5 minutes to really crisp up the skin. Watch very closely so the skin doesn't burn.
Recipe notes:
*You can substitute store-bought seasoning salt, if you prefer.
**Make sure to get them really dry otherwise the skin will not get crispy.
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Nutrition (estimate only):
More chicken main course recipes:
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- Pulled Chicken Thighs (in Oven)2 Hours 20 Minutes
- Smoked Paprika Chicken Soup30 Minutes
Brenna says
Is it possible to cook this without the root vegetables? I have plenty of onions and garlic to add
Nicole B. says
Hi Brenna, I don't think I've ever made this recipe without the root vegetables but I don't see any reason why you couldn't do it without them.