Recipe: Oven Roasted Lemon Garlic & Parmesan Cornish Hens

As someone who loves to cook, there’s nothing quite like the joy of creating a dish that brings smiles to my family’s faces. The sizzle of garlic in a hot pan, the aroma of fresh herbs being chopped and the sizzle of hens roasting in the oven – these are the moments that truly fuel my passion for cooking.

I made these Oven Roasted Lemon Garlic & Parmesan Cornish Hens a few weeks ago for Sunday’s dinner and my heart smiled after seeing my kids clean their plates and ask for seconds. They also showered me with compliments that let me know this dish was a hit. The combination of tangy lemon, savory garlic and rich parmesan creates a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.

How to make Oven-Roasted Cornish Hens

To make this tasty recipe, start by preparing a flavorful marinade with fresh lemon juice, melted butter, minced garlic, grated parmesan and fresh rosemary. Be sure to reserve some of the marinade for later.

Next, generously brush the marinade onto the Cornish hens and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper to taste. Place a few rosemary sprigs and fresh lemon slices around the hens before placing them in the oven.

As the hens roast in the oven, the aroma of lemon, garlic and parmesan will fill your kitchen, creating an irresistible smell that calls everyone to the table. Once the hens are nice and golden, and fully cooked through, brush with the remaining marinade before serving.

These Oven Roasted Lemon Garlic & Parmesan Cornish Hens have become one of my family’s favorite recipes. We usually pair it with a variety of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal that satisfies both the palate and the soul.

Oven Roasted Lemon Garlic & Parmesan Cornish Hens

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Serves: 4 Cornish Hens

Ingredients

• 4 whole Cornish hens
• 1 stick unsalted butter melted
• ⅓ cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons chopped rosemary
• 2 tablespoons fried parsley
• 6 cloves garlic minced
• ¼ cup grated parmesan
• Salt/pepper to taste
• Optional: lemon slices and rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• In a small bowl, combine the butter, lemon juice, rosemary, parsley, garlic and parmesan.
• Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the mixture for later.
• Pat the hens dry with paper towels and generously brush the Cornish hens with the lemon garlic butter mixture, inside and out.
• Season with salt/pepper.
• Place the hens in a roasting pan and arrange the lemon slices and rosemary sprigs around the hens.
• Bake for about 50 to 60 minutes or until golden brown and completely cooked through.
• Remove the hens from the oven and brush with the remaining marinade.
• Let them rest for 20 minutes before serving and enjoy.

Recipe notes

Nutrition information (1 Cornish Hen): calories 594, carbohydrates 0.5 grams, protein 40 grams, fat 48 grams, saturated fat 19 grams, fiber 0 grams, sugar 0 grams, sodium 230 milligrams.

Andrea Mathis is a registered dietitian and owner of Beautiful Eats & Things. For more great recipes, visit beautifuleatsandthings.com.