Garlic-Lime Cornish Game Hens
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By the time my husband and daughter returned from their afternoon outing yesterday at the neighborhood playground our house was filled with the comforting aromas of garlic-roasted Cornish game hens. They knew they were in for a real treat.
Ever since I first spatchcocked Cornish game hens on my panini grill I’ve been a big fan of these little gals. They roast so quickly and are just as juicy and flavorful as their larger counterparts. So when I found a recipe for what sounded like a zesty, flavorful garlic-lime chicken marinade on the side of a garlic powder bottle, I immediately nixed the boneless, skinless chicken breasts it called for in favor of hens. Instead of garlic powder, dried cilantro and lime juice I freshened things up a bit with fresh garlic and cilantro and lime zest. These aromatics tucked under the skin gave the hens a real zing, while the cumin and cayenne pepper in the rub added a welcome touch of smoky heat.
I’m sure the original recipe would have been delicious too, but my version is a bit more to my taste. With some savory Mexican rice on the side this was a meal anyone would look forward to coming home to.
Garlic-Lime Cornish Game Hens
Inspired by the Garlic-Lime Chicken recipe on a bottle of McCormick California Style Garlic Powder with Parsley and the Roasted Orange-Herb Game Hen recipe on Epicurious
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
3-4 cloves garlic, minced (depending on your personal taste)
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon grated lime zest
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Cornish game hens (approx. 1-1/2 lbs each), thawed (if necessary) and patted dry
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken stock
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
Combine garlic, cilantro, lime zest, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in a small bowl. Slide your fingertips under the skin of the hens to loosen. Spread half of the herb mixture under the skin of each hen. Brush butter onto the skin; season with coarse salt and pepper. Tie the hens’ legs together with kitchen twine or create small slits in the skin near the cavity (as I did – see the photos) and insert the ends of the legs through the slits. Place hens in a shallow roasting pan.
Roast hens until golden and cooked through (when an instant read thermometer registers 170°F – 175°F at the thickest part of the thigh), adding broth after 10 minutes and basting twice throughout the cooking time, about 30 minutes. Transfer the hens to a platter and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with Mexican Rice, if desired.
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Tags: cornish game hens, garlic, lime cilantro
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It's the recipe collection I didn't realize I had - the recipes printed right on the food packages in my kitchen. It's time for me to finally give them a try, and hopefully I'll find some hidden gems along the way.
By Mindy, April 27, 2009 @ 1:12 AM
This looks beautiful! I need to expand my chicken roasting recipes, and this may be the next one I try!
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By Risa, April 27, 2009 @ 7:41 AM
This recipe looks like something I would be afraid to make, but you make it sound pretty easy. Thanks!
Risa’s last blog post..Cookie Dough Pops
[Reply]
Kathy Reply:
April 27th, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Oh, it was incredibly easy! And didn’t take all that long either, which I find to be a plus
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By Dani, April 27, 2009 @ 9:08 AM
sounds very appetizing!!
Dani’s last blog post..#57) Hawaiian Drops
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By The Duo Dishes, April 27, 2009 @ 10:34 AM
A little cornish hen is one of the tastiest birds. So tender. Your cilantro/lime basting is nice.
The Duo Dishes’s last blog post..Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Teach a Man to Fish
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By Maria, April 27, 2009 @ 12:18 PM
You can’t go wrong with garlic and lime. Great combo!
Maria’s last blog post..Artisan Bread in Five Pizza Party!
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By Pam, April 27, 2009 @ 12:54 PM
This looks wonderful. I’ve never tried cornish hens – I’ll be on the lookout for them. The garlic and lime are a great combination of flavors.
Pam’s last blog post..Wild Mushroom Agnolotti with Roasted Marinara Sauce
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By Melissa, April 27, 2009 @ 1:27 PM
That looks great Kathy. Cornish hens are delicious and yes, totally easy. I really need a new recipe for my household though, been making the same ones for so long. Thanks for the ideas!
Melissa’s last blog post..a weekend project
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By Esi, April 27, 2009 @ 4:07 PM
This looks like a great, fresh recipe. You’re obsessed with spatchcocking (lol). I just got a young chicken to try it again!
Esi’s last blog post..Daring Bakers April Challenge: Cheesecake
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By Elissa, April 27, 2009 @ 5:19 PM
This looks so easy and utterly delicious… I’ll have to convince my parents to make it tonight!
Elissa’s last blog post..Chocolate Marble Cheesecake with Coconut, Lemongrass, and Kaffir Lime – 17 and Baking does Daring Bakers
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By Sandie, April 29, 2009 @ 12:19 PM
A bottle of McCormick’s spice helped inspire this gorgeous meal? I better head for the pantry and give my spice bottles a proper once over!
Sandie’s last blog post..Inns That Cook: B&B Getaways and Cooking Classes
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Kathy Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 12:44 PM
You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find!
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By Gloria, November 8, 2009 @ 2:39 PM
This recipe looks delicious and easy to do.I’m going to try it tonight.
[Reply]
Kathy Reply:
November 8th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Terrific – I hope you enjoy it!
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