Description
Elevate your dinner with these succulent Cornish hens, roasted to perfection with aromatic herbs and served alongside a luxurious crème fraîche sauce. Each hen is infused with the flavors of thyme, rosemary, garlic, and lemon, then paired with a tangy, creamy sauce that adds a gourmet touch to this comforting dish. Perfect for special occasions or an indulgent weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Cornish Hens
3 Cornish hens (about 2 to 2.5 lbs each)
9 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 bay leaves
3 slices of lemon
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
3 tablespoons flaky kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Olive oil, for drizzling
1-inch slices of artisan sourdough bread
For the Million-Dollar Sauce
8 ounces (1 cup) plain crème fraîche
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 teaspoons Aleppo pepper
1 shallot, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Pinch of kosher salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Position the rack in the center. -
Prepare the Hens
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels. Season the cavities with salt and pepper. Stuff each hen with 3 sprigs of thyme, 1 sprig of rosemary, 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 bay leaf, and 1 lemon slice. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. -
Season the Exterior
In a small bowl, mix the herbes de Provence, kosher salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the hens. Drizzle with olive oil to coat evenly. -
Roast the Hens
Place the hens breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast for 50–60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. -
Prepare the Sauce
While the hens are roasting, combine the crème fraîche, lemon zest and juice, Aleppo pepper, minced shallot, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve. -
Toast the Bread
Brush the sourdough slices with olive oil and toast in the oven during the last 10 minutes of roasting, or until golden and crisp. -
Serve
Place each hen on a plate with a slice of toasted sourdough. Spoon the crème fraîche sauce over the hens and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
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Crème Fraîche Substitute: If crème fraîche is unavailable, you can substitute with sour cream, though the flavor will be slightly tangier.
-
Herb Variations: Feel free to experiment with different herbs such as sage or tarragon for a unique flavor profile.
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Serving Suggestion: Pair with roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cornish hen with sauce
- Calories: 1,050 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 1,200 mg
- Fat: 80 g
- Saturated Fat: 40 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Protein: 70 g
- Cholesterol: 300 mg
Keywords: Cornish hen, crème fraîche sauce, roasted poultry, gourmet dinner, herbed chicken