Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter

Sunny Anderson

Recipe courtesy Sunny Anderson, 2008

Show: Cooking for RealEpisode: No Ho-Hum Holiday

Picture of Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter Recipe 1 Video | Photo: Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
50 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
30 min
Yield:
4 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 4 (1 3/4-pound) Cornish game hens, butterflied
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 5 to 7 sage leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil, for sauteing
  • 4 strips bacon, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place hens on a sheet tray fitted with a cooling rack in the refrigerator to dry skin out for 1 hour. Meanwhile, in a small pan over medium heat, melt butter with sage, zest, salt and pepper. Remove hens from refrigerator. Preheat 2 large saute pans over medium heat, lightly coat with oil. Season hens with salt and pepper and sear, skin side down, in the pans. Sear until skin caramelizes and turns golden brown and crispy, about 7 to 10 minutes. Flip birds over, and baste with sage butter. Sprinkle tops with chopped bacon and place in preheated oven to finish cooking, 25 to 30 minutes, basting occasionally. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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Wine Suggestion for This Recipe

Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Rich, buttery white wine

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 43 reviews

  • on December 14, 2011

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    i love this meal im going to pop it on my man and see if I can get me so points.. :

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on November 29, 2011

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    This has become my family's "traditional" Christmas dinner! It is really easy, tastes fantastic and presents beautifully.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on August 06, 2011

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    I made this for my husband and both of us raved on how good these hens are. Crispy skin and moist and tender inside. Due to limited space and utinsils, I had to brown them one at a time, but it didn't cause a problem. Thanks Sunny! I will definitely make them again. And by the way, due to this recipe I learned how to butterfly poultry and have done chickens and cornish hens to put on the BBQ. Sure beats keeping track of separate pieces.

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