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READY IN 1½ hrs

Seasoned Cornish Hens

Read Reviews (86)

"My father taught me how to make this quick and easy dinner for four. We usually eat this dish with rice and steamed green beans. Note: You can get the oyster sauce in this recipe at your local grocery store in the Asian food department." — Phuong

Ingredients Edit and Save

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Original recipe makes 4 Servings Change Servings

1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

ground black pepper to taste
2 large Cornish game hens
2 tablespoons butter

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Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, and pepper. Place Cornish game hens in the mixture, and marinate 10 minutes.
Transfer hens to a medium baking dish, and cover with the marinade mixture. Cover dish, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
Remove cover from dish, and place 1/2 the butter on each hen. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Basting frequently with the marinade mixture, continue baking 30 minutes, or until exterior of the hens is lightly browned and crisp, the interior is no longer pink, and juices run clear.

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PREP 15 mins
COOK 1 hr
READY IN 1 hr 30 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Sep 08, 2003

Fabulous flavor! Just the right amount of spice. I didn't have oyster sauce, and wasn't in the mood to make a trip for it, so I just omitted it, and it was still excellent. I'm sure it would be even more excellent with all the ingredients. Served with lemon herb rice and green beans--dinner for two for under 5 bucks. Can't beat that!

—My4NonBlondes

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Sep 09, 2003

This turned out okay. I thought it would have more flavor. It also took 10 extra minutes to cook. Probably won't make it again.

—Lisa

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101 Ratings

Oct 31, 2005

I used small cornish hens, and it didn't quite finish cooking in time. I can't imagine a large cornish hen being done at this temperature in only an hour. That is my only criticism. Otherwise, these make a beautiful presentation, deep warm brown and delicious. The oyster sauce makes the sauce nice and thick and brushable. Possibly, though, these would be done in an hour without opening the oven to baste (I am a frequent baster)... I recommend this recipe, just watch for doneness!

—Sarah Gartland

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May 27, 2004

So easy, and so good! I work nights, so the crockpot is my best friend. My family has a nice hot meal for dinner even when I'm not there...and this is so easy to do.

—CookinGheri

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Jan 13, 2012

Oops, wasn't paying attention and used Hoisin Sauce-- but it was fantastic! I marinated for about an hour in a big ziplock bag so the color was wonderful before even cooking. Used 4 hens. I added 30 min. to the cooking but ended up cooking 1-1/2 hours at 350°. TIP: if you bake 4 at once, rotate the whole birds half-way through cooking so both sides are exposed to the same amount of heat. Setting side-by-side the 'inside' halves were underdone, outside halves were perfect.

—MOMOFADDY

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Aug 11, 2005

The marinade for this dish was awesome! Hens were moist and very tasty, although, I think I will try the marinade on boneless chicken breasts.

—lmboehm

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Jul 24, 2003

Very easy! Very good. You will be surprised.

—Jenny

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Aug 26, 2003

This was excellent.My husband who thinks that you only cook cornish hens on the grill was blown away.I wil make this again and again,Thank you.