How To Get Crispy Skin On Cornish Hen

Private Recipe

~ crispy baked cornish hens ~

★★★★★ 1 Review

1lovetocook1x avatar

By Cassie *

from Somewhere, PA

I found a really good buy on Cornish Hens awhile back and was looking for a simple way of preparing them. Well, hubby and I were watching Americas Test Kitchen Sat night, low and behold they were showing how to render a hen crispy on the outside,yet tender on the inside. So, I decide we'd try it. They were definitely a big hit. I didn't leave the salt mixture on as long as they called for, but still turned out awesome. We will definitely make them this way again and soon!

serves 8 halves

prep time 15 Min

cook time 25 Min

method Bake

Ingredients For ~ crispy baked cornish hens ~

2 Tbsp

kosher salt - no substitute - divided

How To Make ~ crispy baked cornish hens ~

1

With a pair of sharp kitchen shears, cut down along both sides of the hens backbone to remove. Place the hens breast side up on cutting board and with a sharp knife cut each hen in half through the breast bone. Loosen the skin on each hen, by running your fingers underneath. ( thigh and breast ) Tuck wings under bird.
2

With a sharp thin knife, poke the fat of the bird several times. Pat the birds dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the underside of each bird with 1 tablespoon of the kosher salt.
3

Add remainder of salt to a small bowl, to this mix with oil. Stir in the baking powder. Rub this mixture on the breast and thigh meat evenly of each halve. Sprinkle with pepper. Place each halve on a single layer of a platter or sheet pan, uncovered. Refrigerate up to 4 hours, but 24 hours is better.
4

Remove from fridge. Preheat oven to 500 degree F. Place a sheet pan with edges into oven to preheat. This step is to sear the fat without frying..I left mine in for at least 20 minutes. Spray each hen piece with cooking spray. Then place each piece of hen skin side down in single row onto hot sheet pan. You should hear it sizzling. Place back into oven on lowest rack for 10 minutes.
5

Next preheat broiler and finish cooking until temp reaches 160 for breast and 175 for thigh and legs, turning pan every so often to brown evenly. I broiled about 15 minutes and they were cooked perfectly. The steps seem like a lot, but are really actually easy and quick. Enjoy!
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