This Cider Maple Oven Roasted Cornish Hen recipe is perfect for celebrating the fall season with its flavorful blend of maple syrup and apple cider, creating a moist and tender bird. The dish combines a delicious harvest of roasted vegetables and a rich, flavorful sauce. With its cozy, seasonal ingredients, it’s perfect for a family dinner or a holiday gathering.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 Cornish hens

• 3-4 large yellow Dutch potatoes, quartered

• ½ – ⅓ yellow onion, quartered

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 4 fresh thyme sprigs

• 2 cups apple cider

• ½ cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tbsp cornstarch or 4 tbsp flour

• 6 sliced mushrooms

• ½ large apple, sliced

• Fresh parsley, for topping

• Fresh thyme leaves, for topping

• Additional sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

Seasoning Rub

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp dried thyme leaves

• ½ tsp dried rosemary (crushed)

• ½ tsp dried parsley

• ½ tsp coarse sea salt

• ¼ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp garlic salt

• ¼ tsp fresh cracked pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).

2. Prepare the Hens: Combine all seasoning rub ingredients in a small bowl. Pat the Cornish hens dry with a paper towel, then rub the seasoning mix all over the hens. Let them sit for about 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables.

3. Arrange the Vegetables: Line the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish with the onions, potatoes, and two sprigs of thyme. Place the hens on top and drizzle with olive oil (1 tbsp for each bird, 1 for the vegetables). Roast uncovered for 20 minutes.

4. Make the Cider Maple Sauce: In a saucepan, combine apple cider and maple syrup, bringing to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer. Stir in the cornstarch or flour, whisking until the sauce thickens slightly.

5. Baste the Hens: After the first 20 minutes, remove the hens from the oven. Drizzle half of the cider-maple sauce over each hen, add mushrooms and apple slices, then cover with foil. Return to the oven for another 20 minutes.

6. Crisp the Skin: After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the skin crisps. You can also broil for 2-4 minutes for a more golden, crispy finish.

7. Serve: Drizzle the remaining sauce over the hens and garnish with fresh parsley and thyme. Serve immediately.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 540 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Protein: 40g

• Fat: 27g

  • Saturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 115mg

• Sodium: 550mg

• Potassium: 500mg

• Fiber: 5g

• Sugar: 18g

The Cornish Hen: Tender, Flavorful, and Moist

Cornish hens are an excellent choice for this recipe because they cook quickly and offer a more tender, juicy alternative to larger birds. The small size of Cornish hens allows for an even distribution of the cider maple sauce, ensuring that every bite is flavorful and moist. The seasoning rub adds a burst of flavor to the hens, infusing them with aromatic spices before they’re roasted to perfection.

The seasoning rub, made with garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, parsley, onion powder, and garlic salt, creates a fragrant base that enhances the natural taste of the poultry. The fresh thyme sprigs used in the roasting process infuse the hens with a delicate herbal aroma, making each bite fragrant and flavorful. The rub also helps the skin become crispy and golden, adding a satisfying texture to the dish.

The Vegetables: Roasted to Perfection

To make this dish truly hearty and satisfying, roasted vegetables are included as a base for the Cornish hens. The Dutch potatoes, onion, mushrooms, and apple slices create a rich and flavorful foundation that enhances the flavors of the hens. As the hens roast, the vegetables soak up the juices from the poultry and cider maple sauce, infusing them with delicious flavors.

The potatoes, quartered into thick pieces, provide a hearty texture that holds up well against the flavorful sauce. The onions, mushrooms, and apple slices add a sweet and savory note that balances the richness of the poultry and sauce. Together, these vegetables create a complete and satisfying meal, with the apples adding a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with the cider and maple syrup.

The Cider Maple Sauce: Sweet, Savory, and Luscious

The cider maple sauce is the star of the dish, bringing together the sweet flavors of maple syrup and the tangy acidity of apple cider. To make the sauce, simply simmer apple cider and maple syrup together, reducing the mixture to intensify the flavors. The cornstarch (or flour) helps to thicken the sauce, giving it a smooth, velvety texture that coats the hens and vegetables beautifully.

This sauce is then drizzled over the hens, allowing the flavors to soak into the meat and vegetables as they roast. The sweetness from the maple syrup contrasts nicely with the savory herbs and spices, creating a rich, flavorful sauce that enhances the entire dish. The sauce also helps to keep the Cornish hens moist and tender while adding a lovely caramelized finish to the skin.

Roasting the Hens: A Step-by-Step Process

The process of roasting the hens is straightforward and ensures they turn out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. After seasoning the hens and preparing the vegetables, the Cornish hens are placed in a 9×13 baking dish on top of the onions and potatoes. Drizzle the hens with olive oil, and roast them uncovered for 20 minutes, allowing the skin to crisp up.

After the first 20 minutes of roasting, the hens are basted with half of the cider maple sauce, and mushrooms and apple slices are added to the dish. Covering the hens with foil ensures they stay moist and tender as they cook further, allowing the flavors to develop.

Once the hens have cooked through, the foil is removed to allow the skin to become golden brown and crispy. For an even crispier finish, you can broil the hens for 2-4 minutes, ensuring that the skin reaches the perfect golden brown.

Serving the Dish: A Beautiful, Flavorful Meal

Once the hens are cooked, they are ready to be served. Drizzle the remaining cider maple sauce over the hens to enhance their flavor and provide an additional burst of sweetness. The sauce soaks into the roasted vegetables, making each bite even more flavorful. Garnish the dish with fresh parsley and thyme leaves for an added touch of color and freshness.

This Cider Maple Oven Roasted Cornish Hen is a beautifully presented dish, with the tender hens, roasted vegetables, and caramelized sauce creating an elegant meal that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of flavors, textures, and aromas makes it a memorable dish that will have your guests asking for seconds.

Conclusion

Cider Maple Oven Roasted Cornish Hen is a delicious, cozy dish that perfectly captures the essence of fall. The blend of maple syrup and apple cider creates a rich, flavorful sauce that infuses the hens and vegetables with sweet and savory goodness. The crispy, golden skin of the Cornish hens contrasts beautifully with the tender meat, while the roasted vegetables provide a hearty and satisfying side dish.

This dish is perfect for a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or any time you want to indulge in the comforting flavors of the season. With its mouthwatering aroma, rich flavors, and satisfying textures, the Cider Maple Oven Roasted Cornish Hen is sure to be a hit at your table. It’s the perfect way to celebrate fall and enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal with loved ones.