Cornish Game Hens With Cilantro Butter
Cornish game hens roast to perfection with a buttery blend of cilantro, garlic, and lime zest. Perfect for Sunday dinner!
These Cornish game hens are roasted with a zesty cilantro-lime butter that infuses the meat with bright, savory flavor. Tucked under the skin, the butter melts into the birds as they roast, keeping them juicy and flavorful all the way through.
This is a great choice for a special occasion or a standout Sunday dinner. The preparation is simple, but the results feel elegant—and you can easily scale the recipe to serve a small group or dinner guests.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Moist and flavorful. The cilantro butter melts under the skin, basting the hens as they roast.
Fresh and zesty. Lime zest and juice add a bright contrast to the rich meat and butter.
Perfect for entertaining. Individual hens or halves make an elegant presentation for dinner parties or holidays.
Ingredient Notes
- Cornish game hens: Typically 1½ to 1¾ pounds each—plan on one per person or split for smaller portions.
- Butter: Softened for easy blending with herbs and garlic; helps crisp the skin and baste the meat.
- Lime zest and juice: Brightens the flavor and pairs well with cilantro and garlic.
- Garlic: Adds savory depth to the butter mixture—fresh is best.
- Fresh cilantro: Finely chopped for a bold, herby accent—substitute with parsley if desired.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: For simple seasoning before roasting.
Steps to Make Cornish Game Hens With Cilantro Butter
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Combine softened butter with lime zest, juice, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro.
- Gently loosen the skin over the breast of each hen and spread a few teaspoons of the butter mixture underneath.
- Arrange the hens in a roasting pan.
- Rub remaining butter inside the cavities or over the skin.
- Season hens with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Let rest briefly before serving.
Tips for Roasting Game Hens
- Pat the hens dry before applying the butter to help crisp the skin.
- Use kitchen twine to tie the legs together for even roasting and better presentation.
- Check the internal temperature early—smaller hens may cook faster than expected.
- Let the hens rest 10 minutes after roasting to retain juices before cutting or serving.
Recipe Variations
- Lemon basil version. Substitute the cilantro and lime with chopped basil and lemon zest for a Mediterranean spin.
- Garlic parsley butter. Use flat-leaf parsley instead of cilantro for a more traditional herb profile.
- Spicy version. Add a pinch of cayenne or minced jalapeño to the butter mixture.
- Citrus blend. Use a mix of orange and lime zest for a more complex citrus flavor.
- Stuffed variation. Fill the cavities with lemon wedges, onion, or fresh herbs for added aromatics.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve each hen whole or halved with roasted potatoes or wild rice.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or garlicky sautéed greens.
- Add crusty bread to soak up the pan juices.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and extra chopped herbs, if desired.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store leftover hens in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Remove any stuffing and let cool completely before sealing.
Freeze: Freeze whole or halved cooked hens tightly wrapped or in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
To reheat: Place hens in a baking dish with a splash of broth or water. Cover loosely with foil and reheat at 325°F until warmed through (about 20 to 30 minutes).
Cornish Game Hens With Cilantro Butter
Ingredients
- 4 Rock Cornish game hens, about 1 3/4 pounds each
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and finely minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, combine the softened butter with the lime zest, juice, minced garlic, and the fresh chopped cilantro. Mash and blend well with a fork.
- Gently separate the skin from the breast meat and tuck a few teaspoons of the cilantro butter mixture evenly under the skin of each hen.
- Arrange the game hens in a roasting pan.
- Put any remaining cilantro butter mixture in the cavity of the birds or rub some over the skin. Sprinkle the hens lightly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Roast the game hens for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the birds register at least 165°F on an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh of a hen.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
