Cornish Hens With Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing

Name: Cornish Hens With Chestnut-Sausage Stuffing
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup Wish-Bone Italian dressing; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 pound sweet Italian sausage links with casing removed; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 4 Cornish hens; 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts; 1/2 teaspoon marjoram; 1/2 teaspoon thyme; 2 cups fresh bread crumbs; 1 cup cooked chestnuts

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: American

Juicy Cornish hens stuffed with a savory chestnut and sausage mixture, flavored with herbs and toasted pine nuts—perfect for festive gatherings or special family dinners.

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Ingredients

1/4 cup Wish-Bone Italian dressing ⓘ
1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
1 pound sweet Italian sausage links with casing removed
1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
2 celery stalks, chopped ⓘ
4 Cornish hens ⓘ
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts ⓘ
1/2 teaspoon marjoram ⓘ
1/2 teaspoon thyme ⓘ
2 cups fresh bread crumbs ⓘ
1 cup cooked chestnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large skillet, cook chopped onion and celery in Italian dressing, stirring until tender.
Add sausage and cook for 5 minutes or until browned.
Stir in bread crumbs, cooked chestnuts, toasted pine nuts, marjoram, and thyme.
Stuff the hens with the mixture.
Close cavities with skewers and tie legs together with string.
Place hens in a roast pan on racks.
Cover loosely with aluminum foil and roast for 1 hour.
Remove foil and continue roasting for an additional 15 minutes, or until done.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

534 kcal 27% DV

Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 22.8g 46% DV

Total Fat 25.7g 33% DV

Carbs 62.8g 23% DV

Fiber 18.8g 67% DV

Sugar 4.3g 9% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 477mg 21% DV

Potassium 1021mg 22% DV

Cholesterol 34mg 11% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 171.5mcg 19% DV

Vitamin C 80.8mg 90% DV

Vitamin D 0mcg

Calcium 670.3mg 52% DV

Iron 28.2mg 100% DV

Diet fit High-protein High-fiber

Contains Wheat/Gluten Tree nuts

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).

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).