Cornish Hens Delight
A comforting dish featuring tender Cornish hens in a creamy, savory sauce with a rich blend of butter, broth, and sour cream—perfect for family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Salt and pepper the halved Cornish hens.
- Brown the hens with chopped onion and melted butter in a skillet for 10 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and simmer the hens for 30 minutes.
- Remove the hens from the skillet.
- Add cornstarch to the drippings in the skillet and stir constantly until smooth.
- Blend in undiluted mushroom or celery soup and sour cream into the sauce.
- Place the hens in a baking dish.
- Pour the sauce over the hens.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider marinating the Cornish hens in a mixture of herbs and lemon juice before cooking. If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth can work as a substitute. You can also swap out the mushroom soup for a different cream soup if desired. This dish can be paired with a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Cornish hens with a side of fluffy rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the rich sauce. A light salad or steamed green beans would complement this dish nicely. This recipe pairs beautifully with Creamy Chicken Potato Soup for a heartwarming meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Cornish hens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave them, but be sure to cover to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cornish Hens Delight contains roughly 471 calories, with 3g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2031mg per serving (88% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook the Cornish hens without browning them first?
While browning adds flavor and color, you can skip this step if you're short on time. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the hens are cooked through and tender.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute with plain Greek yogurt or crème fraîche for a similar texture and tangy flavor. Both options will work well in this recipe.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add some heat, consider incorporating crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the sauce mixture. You can also season the hens with your favorite spicy seasoning blend before cooking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).