Cornish Game Hens With Oyster Stuffing

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 11/15/22
Roasted Game Hens

Robert Linton / Getty Images

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 90 mins
Total: 100 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Yield: 4 Cornish game hens
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1635 Calories
81g Fat
103g Carbs
115g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 1635
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 81g 104%
Saturated Fat 24g 121%
Cholesterol 592mg 197%
Sodium 1484mg 65%
Total Carbohydrate 103g 38%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 115g
Vitamin C 32mg 161%
Calcium 282mg 22%
Iron 28mg 158%
Potassium 1598mg 34%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These game hens are stuffed with a savory oyster stuffing. The stuffing is a basic bread dressing with the addition of oysters and their juices. It's very easy to make this the centerpiece of a feast. This pairs perfectly with an ensemble of your favorite roasted vegetables (root vegetables in particular), cranberry sauce, steamed vegetables, hot rolls, etc. This meal would be perfect for a family get together during any occasion, be it the holidays or a reunion.

There are also a few ways you can cook cornish game hens. This recipe in particular bakes the dish, however, you can also braise, grill, slow-cook, or saute them.

Ingredients

  • 4 Rock Cornish game hens

  • 1/2 cup chopped onions

  • 1/4 cup chopped celery

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 36 oysters, drained, cut in halves

  • 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, divided

  • 4 cups store-bought herb-seasoned breadcrumbs

  • 1 cup hot water, or oyster liquid

  • 1 dash salt

  • 1 dash freshly ground black pepper

Steps to Make It

  1. Wash Cornish game hens and pat dry.

  2. In a heavy skillet over medium heat, sauté onions and celery in oil; add drained oysters and cook for about 10 minutes, until edges curl. Add 2 tablespoons butter and combine with seasoned stuffing crumbs.

  3. Add hot oyster liquid or water to the mixture to moisten, until the desired consistency is reached.

  4. Rub Cornish hens inside and outside with remaining butter and season with salt and pepper.

  5. Stuff Cornish game hens with bread crumb mixture, wrap each hen in aluminum foil.

  6. Bake at 400 F for about 1 hour, then fold back the foil and cook until the hen is brown.