Possible Cooking Methods: Oven Air Fryer
This is a really nice one-pan recipe to serve on those special occasions when you are looking for something different to make for your guests. A Cornish game hen can serve one to two people depending on the size of the hen as well as the size of your appetite, so the serving size really varies here. If you’d like to serve one hen per person be sure to look for the smallest hens you can find. Either way, I like to cut the hens in half when I serve them, giving each person one or two halves. It’s easier for your guests to manage that way, and the stuffing is exposed so you can have some with every bite. Since the size of the hens will vary remember the cooking time might vary a little too. If you have larger hens, be prepared to leave them in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes longer.
Stuffing:
6 cups toasted small bread cubes, ¼-inch (12 ounces)
1 cup warm chicken stock
4 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup dried apricots, chopped
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried sage
½ teaspoon onion powder
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
4 Cornish game hens
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
4 to 6 bulbs fennel, quartered
1 cup brandy
4 tablespoons melted butter
All quantities are halved for Air Fryer
The key to great browning on these game hens is to remember to glaze them with the brandy-butter glaze every 10 minutes.
Cooking Directions for
Brandy-Glazed Stuffed Game Hens with Roasted Fennel
Oven Directions
Serves:4 to 8
Cooking Time:50 to 55 minutes
1. Pre-heat the oven to 425°F.
2. Combine the bread cubes, chicken stock, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter, dried cherries, apricots, thyme, sage, onion powder, parsley and egg in a bowl. Let the stuffing sit to absorb the liquid.
3. Rinse the Cornish hens and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Divide the stuffing into 4 portions and fill the cavity of each hen. Tie the hens’ legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings behind the neck. Rub olive oil all over hens and season with salt, freshly ground black pepper and thyme. Place the hens in a large roasting pan or on a sheet pan. Transfer the pan to the oven.
4. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes. While the hens are roasting, whisk the brandy and melted butter together in a small bowl.
5. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and arrange the fennel wedges around the game hens. Drizzle the fennel with a little olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush the brandy mixture on the hens. Return the pan to the oven.
6. Roast for another 35 to 40 minutes, basting the game hens every 10 minutes with the brandy glaze. Flip the fennel over halfway through the cooking process. Roast until the internal temperature of the game hens reads 165°F on an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh.
7. Let the hens rest for at least 20 minutes before serving. Split the hens in half and serve with the roasted fennel on the side and a spring greens salad.
Note – Time may be slightly longer if using large Cornish game hens.
Air Fryer Directions
Serves:2 to 4
Cooking Time:50 minutes
Change Ingredients: Cut ALL ingredient quantities in half
1. Combine the bread cubes, chicken stock, 4 tablespoons of the melted butter, dried cherries, apricots, thyme, sage, onion powder, parsley and egg in a bowl. Let the stuffing sit to absorb the liquid.
2. Divide the stuffing into 2 portions and fill the cavities of both hens. Tie the hens’ legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings behind the neck. Rub olive oil all over the hens and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Pre-heat the air fryer to 380°F.
4. Place the hens breast side down in the air fryer basket. Air-fry for 15 minutes. While the hens are air-frying, whisk the brandy and melted butter together in a small bowl. Start basting the game hens with glaze after the first 10 minutes of cooking time.
5. Flip the game hens over and brush more brandy glaze on the hens. Air-fry for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, basting every 10 minutes.
6. The hens have finished cooking when the internal temperature reads 165°F on an instant read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. Remove the hens from the air fryer and set them aside, loosely tented with foil. Add the fennel to the air fryer basket, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Air-fry at 390°F for 15 minutes while the hens rest, turning the fennel over halfway through the cooking process.
7. Split the hens in half and serve with roasted fennel on the side and a spring greens salad.
