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Easy Herb Roasted Cornish Hens with Baby Potatoes

Herb roasted Cornish hens bake on a large rimmed baking sheet with baby potatoes, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and lemon. The hens turn golden while the potatoes roast cut-side down until fork-tender.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Resting time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 850
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb baby potatoes halved
  • 2 Cornish hens 1 1/2-pound each, thawed and giblets removed
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp rosemary fresh, chopped
  • 2 tsp thyme leaves fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon halved

Equipment

  • 1 large rimmed baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F.
  2. Position a rack in the center.
  3. Rinse the potatoes.
  4. Pat the potatoes dry.
  5. Halve the potatoes.
  6. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
  7. Tuck the wing tips underneath.
  8. Stir together the olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
  9. Toss the potatoes with about one-third of the mixture.
  10. Arrange the potatoes cut-side down on a large rimmed baking sheet.
  11. Rub the remaining mixture over the hens.
  12. Place a lemon half in each cavity.
  13. Arrange the hens breast-side up among the potatoes.
  14. Roast for 50 to 65 minutes, turning the potatoes and rotating the pan after 30 minutes, until the hens are golden and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of each breast and thigh registers 165°F and the potatoes are fork-tender.
  15. If the hens reach 165°F before the potatoes are tender, transfer the hens to a platter and continue roasting the potatoes until tender.
  16. Rest the hens for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For golden, evenly cooked hens, pat them very dry and use a thermometer to check both the breast and thigh. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. For a lower-carb option, swap the baby potatoes for cauliflower florets.