One-Pan Cornish Hen Thanksgiving Supper

Name: One-Pan Cornish Hen Thanksgiving Supper
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 0.5 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 2 tbsp Butter; 0.5 cup Chicken Broth; 1 whole Cooking Spray; 2 lb Cornish Hen; 2 whole Diced Carrots; 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning; 0.5 whole Lemon; 1 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 whole Onion; 0.5 tsp Salt & Pepper; 3 lb Sliced Potatoes; 2 tbsp Water

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Halal 🕌Comfort-Food

One-Pan Cornish Hen Thanksgiving Supper roasts tender game hens over a bed of potatoes, onions, and carrots that soak up rich, herby juices. A quick pan-dripping gravy ties everything together with buttery depth and a hint of lemon. It’s a cozy holiday-worthy meal perfect for a small gathering or an elegant Sunday dinner.

Prep25 mins
Cook40 mins
Serves4
DifficultyMedium

1

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C). Coat a large sheet pan with cooking spray.
2

Lay the potatoes, carrots, and onion on the sheet pan in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning over them.
3

Stir together the butter and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning until evenly combined.
4

Rinse the hens thoroughly, inside and out, under cool running water. Remove the bag from inside the cavity. Pat the hens dry with paper towels. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Gently create a pocket between the skin and the meat with your fingers, taking care not to tear the skin.
5

Divide the butter mixture between the hens and tuck it between the breast meat and the skin. Set the hens on top of the potato and onion mixture. Season the outsides with salt, pepper, and the remaining Italian seasoning. Place the lemon inside the cavity of the hen. Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the sheet pan.
6

Roast in the preheated oven until the hens are nicely browned, 35 to 45 minutes. Tent the hens with foil during the last few minutes of cooking if needed to prevent overbrowning. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should register 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from the oven, cover with a doubled sheet of aluminum foil, and let rest in a warm spot for 10 minutes before slicing.
7

Meanwhile, drain about 1/2 cup of the pan drippings from beneath the vegetables into a small saucepan to start the gravy. Bring to a boil. Mix the flour and cold water together, then add to the pan drippings, whisking until the desired consistency is reached. Serve the gravy alongside the Cornish hens.