These Cornish Hens with Rosemary Wine Sauce are perfect for a special dinner and are totally company worthy (so they are fancy enough for a dinner party). This recipe is also economical, simple, easy to make and you can make it in advance. All my favorite things...
The serving sizes in all my recipes are adjustable by simply clicking on the number of servings, so you can make this recipe for all of the above and as many as people as you want! It's also Weight Watchers friendly - yay! And it's only 2 WW points on the blue plan. I love fancy dinners that are healthy and don't break the WW points bank!
Cornish Hen Recipes
This is, by far, the easiest and tastiest of the cornish hen recipes out there! These Easy Baked Cornish Hens with Rosemary Wine Sauce are the perfect date night recipe, Valentine's day, birthday dinner, Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner or fancy enough for a dinner party. This recipe is also economical, simple, easy to make, Weight Watchers friendly and can be made in advance.
Cooking a Cornish Game Hen
And if you have never made Cornish hens, don't be intimidated- they are just little chickens and nothing more. Really- it's true! Many assume that they are like a pheasant or grouse because they are also known as Cornish Game Hens, but the "game" part doesn't mean wild or refer to anything remotely exotic in this case; they are simply chickens that were cross-bred to be smaller with more breast meat. Yet they somehow gained and retained this reputation of being "exotic." You can read more about that HERE. But even if they aren't exactly exotic, because they are smaller, cuter and you get half a hen all to yourself, they just feel fancier than eating your typical communal roasted chicken.
How to Cook Cornish Hens
The only difference is that when you cook them, it's best to remove the backbone because the bones are super tiny and you don't want your fellow diners to choke on them. It's really easy to do and I give instructions with photos in the recipe (and the video in the NOTES at the end of the recipe). Otherwise, you roast them as you would a roasted chicken, but in this case, in wine sauce.
What to serve with Cornish hens
Although rice is the most popular accompaniment to this dish, you can serve Cornish game hens with potatoes, pasta and just about anything you'd serve with chicken. And I like to serve them with a garden salad as well. I made an escargot stuffed pasta to go along with this because it was my friend's birthday and I wanted to make something really special (recipe coming soon, but PM me if you want it!) but you can use any pasta recipe. And if you decide on rice, my Sausage Apple Rice goes very nicely with this recipe! If you're making a holiday dinner (like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, ) they go nicely with my Granny buns (dinner buns) You can also check out my Weight Watchers side dishes for more ideas!
The best part of this recipe is that it can be made ahead! I personally, don't like the stress of cooking while guests are over or for a special dinner, so I always cook ahead.
My Easy Homemade Lasagna is another one of my make-ahead dishes for entertaining. I love that I can make it waaay ahead and freeze it!
Don't forget dessert!
If you're looking for a dessert to go along with this dinner and want to stay on track, then I would suggest my Weight Watchers Friendly Healthy Chocolate Cake
BUT....if you want to indulge, then give my Grand Marnier Cheesecake with Chocolate Glaze a try!
These Cornish Game Hens with Rosemary Wine Sauce are a great EASY option for any special occasion meal- enjoy!~
Cornish Hens with Rosemary Wine Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 1 lb Cornish hens ½ per person
- 1 cup dry white wine * you can use any type (it doesn't have to be expensive wine)
- ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp low- sodium soya sauce
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X13 pan with non-stick cooking spray
- Remove and discard giblets and necks from hens. Rinse hens under cold water and pat dry. Split each hen in half lengthwise.
- Partially remove the backbone from the middle
- * See video in NOTES
- Place hens, meat side up, in pan.
- Whisk together wine, white wine vinegar, soya sauce, rosemary, thyme and garlic in a separate bowl, then pour over hens. *Cover the hens' legs with a little aluminum foil to prevent burning (this can also be done during the cooking process, if you start to see them browning faster than the rest of the hen)
- Bake uncovered (preferably on roast if you have a convection oven) for 50 - 60 minutes basting occasionally, as you would a chicken or turkey; just spoon the sauce over the hens to baste. Cook until juices run clear and hens are cooked inside (no longer pink).
- Serve warm (½ a hen per person) with a spring of fresh rosemary, if desired.
What a great weight watchers dinner idea for Christmas!
Thanks, Joss! Yes, guilt-free!
I had no idea that Cornish Game Hens were simply small chickens! I haven't made them in years, and now I want to. They look delicious.
Yes, marketing can be amazing, hey? I hope you enjoy some soon, Colleen!
Yes! I'm one of those ones who have been intimidated by Cornish hens! Your instructions are so complete, however, that I'm anxious to make these. Great for upcoming holiday dinner!
Thanks, Elaine. Glad the instructions are helpful! Enjoy...
A fantastic idea for a smaller Christmas dinner! With only two of us, we struggle with a whole turkey. This definitely seems fancy enough for a special meal. š Thanks for the tutorial on cutting out the backbone.
Thanks, Sharon! Yes, this is a perfect holiday dinner for 2!
Oh my goodness this recipe sounds so festive and comforting. Perfect winter food! And can I just take a minute to drool over that GM cheesecake?! Yummm...
Thanks, Kelly! It really does make a nice, special meal and is still pretty economical!
I adore Cornish Hens - they are so flavourful! Thanks for the lovely entertainment worthy recipe and instructions, Terri. I have not made Cornish hens for quite some time - it is time to correct this, starting with your wonderful recipe. Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks, Denise!
Wow, a fantastic date night recipe for sure. Iāve never actually cooked a Cornish Hen before so I really appreciate the tips on trimming the backbone. Thanks for another healthy and super yummy meal!
You're welcome, Sabrina. Enjoy!
I will definitely be searching for these at my grocery store as I need to try it out! What a lovely recipe, the rosemary wine sauce sounds just perfect!
Thanks, Vanessa! I got them frozen - that's the most economical way. I hope you enjoy!