Cornish Hens With Apple Stuffing
Tender Cornish hens are roasted with a savory and slightly sweet stuffing made from bread, apple, and herbs. This dish makes for an elegant yet straightforward main course perfect for a special meal.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 1 hr 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
Allergen information: may contain celery, gluten, and milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 2 pcscornish hen, giblets removed
- 1 tbspolive oil
hen seasoning
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, ground
stuffing
- 100 gyellow onion, finely chopped
- 180 gapple, peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes
- 40 gcelery, finely chopped
- 120 gbread, cut into cubes
- 2 tspunsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 tspdried sage
- 0.5 tspdried thyme
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper, ground
Equipment
large bowl · oven · knife · cutting board · roasting pan
The method
Step by step
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
About 5 min
Cook’s note: Ensure the oven rack is in the middle position for even roasting.
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion, apple, celery, bread cubes, melted butter, dried sage, and dried thyme.
About 5 min
- 3
Add the salt and black pepper intended for the stuffing, and toss everything together until well combined.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Mix gently to avoid crushing the bread cubes too much.
- 4
Pat the Cornish hens dry inside and out with paper towels.
About 2 min
Cook’s note: Drying the skin helps it become crispy during roasting.
- 5
Loosely fill the cavity of each hen with the stuffing mixture.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: Do not pack the stuffing tightly, as it will expand during cooking.
- 6
Rub the outside of both hens with the olive oil.
About 2 min
- 7
Season the exterior of the hens with the salt and black pepper from the 'hen seasoning' group.
About 1 min
- 8
Place the hens breast-side up in a small roasting pan or baking dish.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: You can tie the legs together with kitchen twine for a neater presentation, but it's not required.
- 9
Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F (74°C).
About 50 min
Cook’s note: The juices should run clear when the thigh is pierced with a knife.
- 10
Remove the hens from the oven and let them rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes before carving.
About 10 min
Cook’s note: Resting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender meat.
- 11
Carve each hen in half lengthwise to create four servings.
Keep it good
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
More recipes
All recipesmain course
Chicken Waterzooi
This creamy Belgian stew is a comforting and flavorful dish, traditionally made with chicken and vegetables. It features a rich, velvety sauce thickened with egg yolk and cream, perfect for a hearty meal.
1 hr 10 min 546 kcaldessert
Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake
A rich and decadent chocolate cheesecake with a classic graham cracker crust. A final layer of tangy sour cream topping perfectly balances the deep chocolate flavor of the creamy filling.
6 hr 5 min 428 kcalsoup
Harira Soup
Experience the comforting embrace of Harira, a traditional Moroccan soup renowned for its rich, aromatic flavors. This hearty dish features a savory tomato base, tender brown lentils, and chickpeas, all simmered with fragrant spices and thickened to perfection. It's a deeply satisfying and nourishing meal, especially cherished during Ramadan.
1 hr 40 min 270 kcalmain course
Malfouf Mahshi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
These Lebanese stuffed cabbage rolls feature tender cabbage leaves wrapped around a flavorful mixture of rice and ground meat, simmered in a tangy tomato broth. It's a comforting and hearty dish, perfect for a family meal. The bright lemon and mint cut through the richness for a balanced taste.
2 hr 15 min 757 kcaldinner
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
A classic Italian pasta dish featuring garlic, olive oil, and chili flakes. This simple yet flavorful recipe comes together quickly for a satisfying meal. It's naturally vegan and highlights fresh ingredients.
25 min 630 kcalmain course
Kimchi Jjigae
This warming Korean kimchi stew is packed with fermented kimchi, tender pork belly, and silky tofu. It's a comforting and flavorful dish, perfect for a hearty meal on a cold day. The rich, spicy broth offers a delightful balance of savory and tangy notes.
45 min 408 kcalmain course
Bacalao a la Vizcaína
This classic Spanish dish features salt cod slowly simmered in a rich sauce made from rehydrated choricero peppers, onions, and garlic. It's a comforting and flavorful main course that highlights the unique taste of bacalao. Perfect for a special meal.
9 hr 55 min