Garlicky Smothered Cornish Hens

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Picture of Garlicky Smothered Cornish Hens Recipe Photo: Garlicky Smothered Cornish Hens Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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Total Time:
2 hr 5 min
Prep
15 min
Inactive
1 hr 0 min
Cook
50 min
Yield:
2 to 4 servings
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 10 cloves garlic
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 (1 1/2-pound) Cornish hens
  • Olive oil
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and small diced
  • 1/2 medium onion, small diced
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 3 cups chicken stock, divided
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup white wine
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Prepare the hens: In a mini food processor, pulse the garlic and 1 teaspoon salt to a paste. Using your fingers, make a pocket between the flesh and the skin of each Cornish hen. Stuff half the garlic paste between the skin and the flesh of the hens, evenly covering by pushing the paste along the flesh from the outside. Rub both hens all over with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and a grind of pepper. Cross the legs of each hen and tie together with kitchen string. Set aside and allow to come to room temperature for about an hour.

In a baking dish large enough to hold both hens, mix together the remaining garlic paste, the bell pepper, onions, cayenne pepper, paprika, a pinch of salt and a grind or 2 of pepper.

Place the prepared hens on top of the vegetables in the pan and slowly pour in 2 cups chicken stock. Place in the oven and cook until the temperature reaches 160 degrees F between the leg and the body of the hen when tested with an instant-read thermometer, about 40 minutes.

Remove the hens from oven and remove from the pan to a plate. Cover lightly with aluminum foil to keep them warm while making the gravy. In a medium saute pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the vegetables from the baking dish and the flour. Whisk the flour briskly until it is combined with all the pan contents. Add the wine and let reduce. Take a sip of wine for yourself; you've worked hard. Stir in the remaining 1 cup chicken stock. Taste and season with salt and pepper, and then cook until the sauce has thickened to a gravy consistency, about 5 more minutes. To serve, remove the aluminum foil from the hens. Remove the string and cut in the birds in half. Pour the gravy over the top and garnish with chopped parsley

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 8 reviews

  • on April 15, 2012

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    These were really good, had a great flavor.

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on April 11, 2012

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    I made this and wasn't crazy about the taste of the gravy, accidentally lost it down the drain and guessed at remaking it!! I'll try again as the wine taste was good, just was not sure if I liked the green pepper taste so well, will try some red and orange peppers mixed in next time to take away the strong pepper taste. Hens were very tender, loved that!

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  • on March 24, 2012

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    we made this with chicken instead of hens. It worked out very well. The gravy was delicious.

    people found this review Helpful.
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