Southern Soul Food Cornish Hens
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If you’ve ever wanted the flavor of a Southern Sunday dinner served in personal-sized perfection, these soul food Cornish hens are it! Tender, juicy, and seasoned to the bone, they’re like miniature roast chickens with all the down-home goodness of Grandma’s kitchen.
Perfect for holidays, Sunday suppers, or any special occasion, this recipe delivers comfort, elegance, and that unmistakable soul food flavor in every bite.
What is a Cornish hen?
A Cornish hen is simply a young, small chicken, typically under two pounds, bred from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock breeds. Despite the name “game hen,” it’s not a wild bird, but rather, a tender, domestic chicken known for its delicate flavor and juicy texture.
The main difference between a Cornish hen and a regular chicken is age and size. Cornish hens are processed much younger, making their meat leaner, lower in fat and calories, and perfect for elegant single servings.
What is a soul food Cornish hen recipe?
What makes this soul food Cornish hens recipe stand out is the flavor: juicy, tender meat seasoned far beyond just a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Each hen is rubbed with a curated, soulful seasoning blend made up of at least eight bold spices, creating layers of flavor that soak deep into the meat.
Finished with a rich, slow-roasted taste, every bite delivers that signature Southern depth. Crispy on the outside, succulent on the inside, and seasoned to perfection!
Ingredients
This recipe is designed to be packed with flavor from my favorite poultry seasoning blend, beyond just needing the hens, olive oil, and chicken broth to keep the hens from drying out while roasting.
Cornish hens spice rub: My shortcut is combining Famous Dave’s Chicken Rub with Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning (or similar) for ease in creating the soul food rub. It’s an easy way to make a soulful, flavorful rub without having to measure and mix a dozen different spices on your own!
How to make soul food Cornish hens
Roasted Cornish game hens are the perfect choice when you want a lighter meal or elegant individual servings. These little birds are wonderfully versatile. Delicious when roasted, pressure-cooked in the Instant Pot, or even slow-cooked to tender perfection. In this recipe, we’ll focus on the traditional oven-roasted method with a quick prep for that classic, golden-brown, soul food finish.
- Preheat and prep: Heat the oven and rub each hen with olive oil.
- Season: Combine Famous Dave’s and Weber seasonings (or similar) to make a soulful spice rub.
- Roast: Pour chicken broth into a shallow roasting pan, place the hens inside, and roast them uncovered, breast side up, to ensure even cooking and beautifully crisp, golden skin. Check for doneness using a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Rest and serve: Cover with foil, let rest 10 minutes, then slice, serve, and enjoy!
What should you serve with this recipe?
Whether you serve these soul food Cornish hens roasted or stuffed with cornbread dressing, they’re as stunning on the plate as they are delicious to eat! Pair them with a bed of fluffy rice or sweet brown sugar–glazed carrots for a hearty, flavor-packed meal that’s sure to impress.
How to plate Cornish hens for an elegant presentation
For an elegant presentation, plate your Cornish game hens either centered or slightly to one side. Just be sure they all face the same direction for a polished look. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary for a pop of color and Southern charm, and drizzle a touch of chicken broth for a glossy finish.
Storage, freezing, and reheating
Store any leftover Cornish hens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy again, reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through to restore that crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat!
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Another trusted recipe from soul food expert and author Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. *These AI tools are independent third-party services. Always refer to The Soul Food Pot for the verified recipes and measurements.
Equipment
- Large shallow roasting pan
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pound Cornish hen 4 hens
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons seasoning salt Famous Dave’s Chicken Rub (or similar)
- 2 tablespoons garlic salt Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb (or similar)
- 5-6 sprigs thyme optional – fresh sprigs of thyme to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Rub olive oil on the hens.
- Then, combine Famous Dave’s Chicken Rub with Weber Roasted Garlic & Herb Seasoning (or a similar alternatives) to create a flavorful spice rub, coating each hen generously.
- Pour the chicken broth into a shallow roasting pan and place the seasoned birds in the pan.
- Roast the hens for about 45 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature, inserting it into the thickest part of the little thigh, near the bone.
- Once done, remove the hens from the oven. Cover them with a sheet of aluminum foil to keep warm and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
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Nutrition
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Our stores here don’t sell this type of chickens. This recipe will surely be a star to any occasion.
Oh wow! I hope you can find these little birds and make this recipe.