Photo: Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) Cornish game hens
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 shallots, minced
- 2 tablespoons orange zest, from 2 medium oranges
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest, from about 3 lemons
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons Marsala wine or dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or currants
- 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
Directions
Place an oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Rinse the game hens and pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, shallots, orange zest, lemon zest, thyme, mint, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Rub 2 tablespoons of the zest mixture over the skins of the game hens. Place the remainder of the zest mixture under the skin and into the cavities of the hens. Using kitchen twine, truss the legs together. Place the hens in a shallow 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Add the chicken stock, Marsala wine, lemon juice, orange juice, and cranberries. Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the leg juices run clear. Remove the game hens and set aside. Place the flour in a small saucepan. Whisk in the pan juices. Bring the juices to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Whisk in the butter and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
To serve, remove the kitchen twine and place the hens on 2 serving plates. Drizzle with the citrus-herb sauce.
Cook's Note: Reserve 1/4 cup of the citrus-herb sauce for the Crouton Salad.
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By dianajleep
Niles, MI
on February 14, 2013
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I hate to post this but really want to try and help others. I love Giada and have never had any problems with her recipes but I have to say this was bad. I followed the recipe exact and like many others had too much liquid in my pan and after cooking the chicken for 40 minutes it was still under cooked. If that were the only problem I would say my fault, but the taste of everything was just bad. I tasted nothing but the the lemon and it was really bitter, maybe it was the zest of the three lemons that was too much, not sure. I made the vegetables from the same episode and the combination of those with this chicken was terrible. I wanted to love this but like another reviewer my husband and I took two bites and threw the entire thing in the trash and I have never done that! Lots of money thrown away today! For whoever wants to try this really watch your liquids and citrus and cook until your chicken is super golden brown all over. Good Luck!
By elly65_12521149
Centreville, 60
on April 13, 2012
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Super yummy and juicy...will definitely make again.
By lp1211
Sandusky, OH
on January 21, 2012
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We loved it. Have made several times now. Great with steam sauted green beans with a little lemon zest in them.
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