Lemon-garlic Cornish Hens. I've always loved Cornish game hens. Growing up they were our traditional New Year's Eve dinner for many years. Not only were they delicious, they also I used fresh rosemary and thyme for these hens, but you can use any herb of your choice.

Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves. This surprisingly simple recipe unites fresh lemon, roasted garlic, and Cornish hens with olive oil, sea salt, and cracked black pepper for a sumptuous. You can have Lemon-garlic Cornish Hens using 8 ingredients and 7 steps. Here is how you cook that.

Ingredients of Lemon-garlic Cornish Hens

1. Prepare 2 of large lemons.
2. It's 4 of 1-1/4 lb Cornish game hens, giblets removed.
3. Prepare 1/4 tsp of each sea salt and black pepper.
4. Prepare 8 of fresh thyme springs.
5. It's 2 T of olive oil.
6. Prepare 2 of bulbs garlic, peeled (about 20 cloves).
7. You need 1/2 c of dry white wine.
8. You need 1/2 c of low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth.

Remove Cornish hen from bag and place into large resalable plastic bag with olive oil. Remove hen with tongs and place hen on rack, tucking the wings behind the breasts, season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the lemon over the hens and pour in the broth. Remove the hens from the pan and set on a carving board.

Lemon-garlic Cornish Hens step by step

1. Preheat oven to 450°F..
2. Cut one lemon into 8 wedges. Sprinkle the cavity of each hen with salt and pepper. Stuff 2 lemon wedges and 2 thyme springs into cavity of each hen. Lift up skin and rub olive oil then rub oil on outside skin..
3. Place hens in heavy roasting pan breast-side up. Scatter garlic cloves in the pan and pour wine over all..
4. Roast hens 25 min. Lower oven to 350°F. Cut remaining lemon in half and squeeze over hens. Pour broth over hens..
5. Roast hens 25 min or until internal temp is 165°F..
6. Remove hens from roasting pan and set on carving board. Cut hens in half and place on serving platter..
7. Pour pan juices and garlic into small saucepan and bring to boil. Serve gravy with hens..

We love our share of chicken at our house but I wanted to try something a bit different, yet familiar with a typical chicken dinner. Instead of chicken, I served up these Garlic Lemon Cornish Hens. Tips on how to prepare Cornish game hens that are super moist and flavorful with perfectly browned and crispy skins. I've always loved Cornish game hens. Growing up they were our traditional New Year's Eve dinner for many years.