Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen

Giada De Laurentiis

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis, 2008

Show: Giada at HomeEpisode: Table for Two

Picture of Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen Recipe Photo: Roasted Citrus-Herb Game Hen Recipe
Rated 4 stars out of 5
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  • Read 64 Reviews
Total Time:
1 hr 5 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
45 min
Yield:
2 servings
Level:
Easy
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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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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 64 reviews

  • 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.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 20, 2011

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    Moist, delicious, fabulous! Sauce was very tasty, though really not even needed because the hens were so juicy. Will definitely make this dish again.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 12, 2011

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    Really good! I made 4 and two of my children looked like little barbarians as they attacked their game hens. lol. My son didn't eat too much because he wasn't feeling well, so I took the carcasses and threw them in the crock pot over night and turned them into a delicious chicken noodle soup! This really helped offset the cost factor for me because I was able to turn it into two meals. I looked for the marsala at a couple different stores and couldn't find it, so I left it out. Served this with the crouton salad. So very yummy!

    people found this review Helpful.
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