Cornish Hens In Port And Sour Cream Sauce
Tender Cornish hens are baked with apples and seasoned to perfection, then served with a rich port and sour cream sauce, ideal for special dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 6 Cornish hens ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 3/4 tsp salt ⓘ
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 1/4 cup melted butter ⓘ
- 1/4 cup water ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1/2 cup butter ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz) can chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 1/4 cups water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup port wine ⓘ
- 1 tsp browning and seasoning sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
Instructions
- Clean hens and remove giblets.
- Sprinkle hens with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning.
- Slice apples and place in cavities of hens; secure with toothpicks and rub hens with garlic.
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in a skillet and brown hens on all sides.
- Arrange hens in a large baking pan.
- Combine chicken broth, 1 1/4 cups water, and port wine.
- Pour the mixture over the hens and bake at 350°F for 1 hour, basting frequently.
- Remove hens from oven and place on a platter, keeping warm.
- Reserve 2 cups of pan drippings.
- Saute sliced mushrooms in 1/2 cup melted butter.
- Add reserved pan drippings and browning sauce to the mushroom mixture.
- Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and stir into the mushroom mixture.
- Whisk in sour cream and do not boil.
- Serve the sauce with the hens.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the hens in the port wine and garlic mixture for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have port wine, red wine or even apple juice can work as substitutes. To save time, use pre-sliced mushrooms and pre-made chicken broth. Ensure to baste the hens frequently for even cooking and moisture retention.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Cornish hens with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for a complete meal. For a comforting touch, pair with mashed potatoes or the Confetti Mushroom And Rice Side Dish. The rich sauce complements a simple crusty bread to soak up the flavors. A glass of the same port wine used in cooking enhances the dining experience.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the hens in a baking dish with a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out, cover with foil, and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 20-25 minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cornish Hens In Port And Sour Cream Sauce contains roughly 389 calories, with 13g protein, 73g carbohydrates, and 3g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin D (53% of the Daily Value), protein (27% of the Daily Value), and iron (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1411mg per serving (61% 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 use other types of poultry instead of Cornish hens?
Yes, you can substitute Cornish hens with small chickens or even game hens. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as larger birds may require a longer baking time to ensure they are fully cooked and tender.
Is it necessary to use sour cream in the sauce?
While sour cream adds creaminess and tang, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt for a similar texture. If you're looking for a dairy-free option, try using coconut cream or a plant-based sour cream alternative, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
What can I do with leftover sauce?
Leftover sauce can be saved and used as a delicious topping for pasta or drizzled over vegetables. It can also be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stove. For a quick meal, serve it over grilled chicken or roasted vegetables.
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).