Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens
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Thirty years ago in a life that seems so far away, was a college student determined to prepare fancy date night meals without having any cooking skills what so ever! I believe that the original recipe for these Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens was found in one of those dollar cookbooks that you can buy in the check out lanes in the grocery store.
The cookbook is long gone, but the memory of this amazing Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens lives on and needed to be recreated. I am pretty sure that I served it with a boxed Rice Pilaf, but I’m all grown up now and know how to make it from scratch, LOL
Not only are they delicious, they are also crazy easy to make!
How to make Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens:
Start by tying the legs together, if desired, and season all sides with salt and pepper.
Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet, in a preheated 375 degree oven, breast side up for one hour.
While your game hens are cooking, mix the glaze ingredients together and set aside.
Brush/baste the game hens with the glaze during the last 20 minutes, then again during the last ten. They are done when the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.
Remove from oven and serve with Rice Pilaf or side of your choice.
They’re not just for date night, they are perfect any night of the week!!
Recipe Notes:
- I baked my Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens on a Quarter Sheet Baking Pan.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or quadrupled if needed.
- It is also a good idea to turn you pan when you baste for more even browning.
- All ovens cook differently, using a thermometer is the best way to tell when they are done. This is the Instant Read Thermometer that I use.
More delicious Dinner for Two recipes:
- Steak Oscar
- Broiled Lobster Tails
- Salmon Oscar
- Shrimp Scampi topped Filet Mignon
- French Onion Pork Chops
- Grilled Pizza Margherita
See, I told you that they were super simple to prepare….and oh, so tasty!
Enjoy!!
Orange Glazed Cornish Game Hens
Ingredients
- 2 cornish game hens 1 to 1.25 pounds each
- sea salt and ground black pepper
Orange Glaze
- .25 cup orange marmalade
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Start by tying the legs together, if desired, and season all sides with salt and pepper.
- Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet, in a preheated 375° F. oven, breast side up for one hour.
- While your game hens are cooking, mix the glaze ingredients together and set aside
- Brush/baste the game hens with the glaze during the last 20 minutes, then again during the last ten. They are done when the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.
- Remove from oven and serve with rice pilaf or side of your choice.
Notes
- This recipe can easily be doubled or quadrupled if needed.
- It is also a good idea to turn you pan when you baste for more even browning.
- All ovens cook differently, using a thermometer is the best way to tell when they are done.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Classic Rice Pilaf Recipe
I’ve never made cornish game hens before, this recipe sounds great. Thanks for linking up to #HomeMattersParty
These hens look so pretty, and I’m sure they are quite delicious! Looking forward to your rice pilaf recipe! Will be making this dish for the next special occasion.
Made this for my wife and I our anniversary and it was delicious!
It’s been a few years since I’ve made Cornish Hens. Saw them at the grocery store and thought I’d make for dinner tonight. Found your recipe and substituted the orange marmalade for apricot and peach that I had on hand. Didn’t have the honey so I used maple syrup. I have to say, my husband was impressed and so was I. They turned out so YUMMY!!!!!
I am so happy to hear that, thank you so much for letting me know! Apricot and peach sounds very tasty, I might try that next time. 🙂