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Herb-Roasted Game Hen with Garlic Tomatoes

So, you thought you could go all spring and summer without using your roasting pans? This Cornish Game Hen Recipe is sure to have you turning your oven on even during the hottest of days. Using fresh garden herbs and tomatoes, this meal is perfect for a warm night out on the patio with a few good friends and a glass of your favorite white wine. This recipe will have you serving up a Cornish game hen that is super moist and flavorful with a perfectly browned and crispy skin.
 
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 1½ Hours
Yield: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Easy

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ Cup red onion, roughly chopped
  • ½ Cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • ½ Cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • ¼ Cup fresh tarragon, roughly chopped
  • ¼ Cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
  • ¼ Cup pecans
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 6 cloves garlic, divided
  • ¼ Cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 Cup plain yogurt
  • 4 Cornish game hens, about 1½ lbs each, rinsed and dried thoroughly  
  • 2 lbs Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise
  • 4 sprigs rosemary

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F
  2. In a food processor, pulse the first 8 ingredients (through garlic cloves). While the processor is running, add 3 Tbsp olive oil, vinegar, 2 tsp salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until smooth, creating a paste.
  3. Stir half of the herb paste with the yogurt in a small bowl, cover and refrigerate.
  4. Season the hens inside and out with salt and pepper. Loosen the skin with your fingers and rub the remaining herb paste under the skin and on the outside of the bird.
  5. Truss the hens and place in a Swiss Diamond roasting pan. Roast in oven until skin turns golden, about 20 minutes.
  6. Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F.
  7. Toss the halved tomatoes with the remaining olive oil and garlic in a bowl, season with salt and pepper.
  8. Baste the hens with the drippings and add the tomatoes to the pan cut-side down.
  9. Continue roasting until a thermometer inserted in thickest part of the thigh registers 155°F, about 1 hour.
  10. Season with salt and pepper. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before serving with tomatoes. Garnish with rosemary and serve with yogurt sauce on the side.