Description
Cider maple roasted Cornish hen brings rustic autumn flavors straight to your dinner table. Crispy skin and tender meat make this simple recipe a delightful centerpiece for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 Cornish hens
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Add-ins:
- Sliced apples
- Sliced onions
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F and arrange an oven rack in the center position for even cooking.
- Pat each Cornish hen dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin and season generously with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves.
- Whisk together 1 cup apple cider and ¼ cup pure maple syrup in a small measuring cup until thoroughly combined.
- Position the seasoned hens breast-side up in a large roasting pan, spreading them slightly apart to allow heat circulation.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the hens, ensuring each one gets an even coating.
- Pour the cider-maple mixture directly over the hens, allowing liquid to pool slightly in the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Optionally, slice 2 apples and 1 large onion into wedges and scatter around the hens for complementary roasted vegetables.
- Transfer the roasting pan to the preheated oven and cook for 55-65 minutes, basting the hens with pan liquid every 20 minutes.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the thigh to confirm doneness.
- Remove pan from oven and let hens rest for 10 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the Cornish hens reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- When basting, gently spoon the cider-maple mixture over the hens to keep the skin moist and develop a beautiful golden color.
- For a gluten-free version, verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free and skip any wheat-based seasonings.
- Slice apples and onions thin so they caramelize nicely around the hens during the final roasting stage, creating delicious pan drippings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Roasted
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 975
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 53 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 39 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 104 g
- Cholesterol: 355 mg