Herb-Infused Oven-Roasted Cornish Hens with Root Vegetables

Ingredients

- 2 whole Cornish hens
- 2 large onions, quartered
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare the Vegetables
In a large mixing bowl, combine the quartered onions, carrot pieces, and potato quarters. Drizzle with half of the olive oil, and season with half of the salt and pepper. Toss to coat the vegetables evenly.

3. Season the Cornish Hens
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the rosemary, lemon zest, thyme, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the hens thoroughly to ensure a well-seasoned bird inside and out.

4. Drizzle with Olive Oil
Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the seasoned hens to help them achieve a crispy golden exterior during roasting.

5. Arrange in Roasting Pan
Place the seasoned hens in the center of a large roasting pan. Arrange the seasoned vegetables around the hens.

6. Roast the Dish
Insert the roasting pan into the preheated oven. Roast for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the hens reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the vegetables are tender and golden brown. Baste the hens occasionally with the pan juices for added moisture and flavor.

7. Rest and Serve
Once fully cooked, remove the roasting pan from the oven. Let the Cornish hens rest for about 10 minutes before carving. Serve the hens alongside the roasted vegetables for a delightful dinner presentation.

Preparation & Cooking Times

- Preparation Time:
- PT20M
- 20 minutes
- Cooking Time:
- PT1H15M
- 1 hour and 15 minutes

Total Time

- PT1H35M
- 1 hour and 35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Cornish hens, oven roast, root vegetables, dinner recipe, rosemary, thyme, lemon zest, garlic powder, crispy skin, pantry ingredients

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 2750

#OvenRoast #DinnerDelight #CornishHens #GourmetCooking #RootVegetables