Light Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens

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 05/5/22
Honey glazed cornish hen
Gentl and Hyers / Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 50 mins
Total: 60 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
967 Calories
64g Fat
16g Carbs
77g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 967
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 64g 83%
Saturated Fat 17g 87%
Cholesterol 446mg 149%
Sodium 661mg 29%
Total Carbohydrate 16g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 77g
Vitamin C 30mg 149%
Calcium 67mg 5%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 1044mg 22%
*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 glazed with a flavorful mixture of orange, honey, and garlic. The skin is removed, making it lower in fat.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cornish game hens, about 1 1/2 pounds each

  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh orange peel

  • 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate, thawed, undiluted

  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 2 teaspoons oil, or nonstick cooking spray

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion

  • Fresh orange wedges, for garnish, optional

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 1 teaspoon cold water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F.

  2. Place game hens breast-side down ​on a cutting board and cut in half along the backbone. Remove skin and trim excess fat.

  3. In a small microwave-safe dish, combine orange peel, lemon juice, orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, honey, garlic, onion powder, and thyme. Bring to boiling point in a microwave oven; set aside.

  4. Lightly grease a baking dish or spray with cooking spray.

  5. Divide chopped onion into 4 portions in baking dish; place hens bone-side down on onions.

  6. Pour orange juice mixture over hens.

  7. Bake hens in preheated oven for 45 minutes, basting every 10 to 15 minutes with cooking juices. If they brown too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil.

  8. When hens are done, remove from baking dish, onions and all, to warm dinner plates.

  9. If desired, garnish with orange slices. Skim fat off juices in baking dish. If desired, thicken pan juices with a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon of cold water. Serve juices on the side.

  10. Serve with hot cooked rice and a green vegetable. Enjoy!