Garlicky Smothered Cornish Hens
- Difficulty: Easy
- Servings: 2 to 4
- Nutritional Information (per serving, 1 of 4 servings): Calories 239, Total Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Carbohydrates 17 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Sugar 5 g, Protein 6 g, Cholesterol 21 mg, Sodium 707 mg
- Time: Total: 2 hr 5 min; Prep: 15 min; Resting: 1 hr; Cooking: 50 min
Ingredients:
- 10 garlic cloves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Cornish hens (each about 1 1/2 pounds)
- Olive oil
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 3 cups chicken broth, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley for garnish
Transform your dinner into a flavor-packed adventure with these tender, garlicky smothered Cornish henscrispy skin, juicy meat, and a velvety gravy that begs for every last bite!
- Preheat your oven to 375F and get ready to infuse magic into these hens.
- Prep the hens: Blitz 10 garlic cloves with 1 teaspoon salt in a mini food processor for a silky paste. Loosen the skin on each hen to create pockets, then spread half the paste underneath for unbeatable flavor. Rub generously with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, tie the legs with twine, and let them rest at room temperature for 1 hourpatience rewards the cook!
- In a spacious baking dish, mix the leftover garlic paste with diced bell pepper, onion, cayenne, paprika, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Nestle the hens atop this aromatic bed and pour in 2 cups chicken broth. Roast until the internal temp hits 160F (about 40 minutes)pure perfection awaits.
- Rest the hens under foil on a plate. In a saut pan, melt butter over medium heat, add the roasted veggies and flour, whisk briskly, deglaze with white wine (sip a tasteyou deserve it!), then stir in the last cup of broth. Simmer to thick, luscious gravy, about 5 minutes. Season boldly.
- Untie, halve the hens, drown in gravy, and shower with parsley. Serve hot and watch your table light up with delight!
