Description
This Simple Orange Marmalade Cornish Hen recipe offers an elegant, flavorful dish with individual hens glazed in a sweet and tangy orange marmalade mixture. The hens roast to a golden brown with a glossy caramelized glaze, combining minimal ingredients for a fancy yet easy meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Hens:
- 2 whole Cornish game hens (1 to 1 1/2 lb each)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Citrus Glaze:
- 1/2 cup orange or blood orange marmalade
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce (such as San-J)
For Serving and Garnish (Optional):
- Orange slices
- Orange zest
- Fresh sage or mixed herbs
- Wild rice or preferred grain
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Cornish Hens: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), using the Roast setting if available. Remove the Cornish hens from packaging, trim any excess fat, and pat dry with paper towels. Place hens breast-side down on a rack inside a roasting pan (or foil/parchment-lined tray if no rack). Ensure wings are on top and drumsticks touch the pan. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Roast the Hens: Place the roasting pan with hens on the middle oven rack. Roast undisturbed for 45 minutes to brown and crisp the skin.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: While hens roast, whisk together marmalade, freshly squeezed orange juice, Dijon mustard, and gluten-free soy sauce in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.
- Glaze and Finish Roasting: After 45 minutes, check hens for browned, crisp skin. Brush the orange glaze over each hen every few minutes while continuing to roast for an additional 15 minutes, until glaze caramelizes and skin is golden with browned spots. Total roasting time about 1 hour.
- Rest and Serve: Remove hens and let rest about 5 minutes. Serve each with wild rice or preferred grain, garnished with leftover glaze, fresh orange slices, orange zest, and fresh sage or mixed herbs for a fresh, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Always check internal temperature by inserting a thermometer into the thickest thigh (not touching bone) aiming for 165°F to ensure safe cooking.
- Apply marmalade glaze only in the last 15-20 minutes to prevent burning and bitterness.
- Pat hens thoroughly dry before seasoning for extra crispy skin; consider starting breast-side down for the first half of roasting, then flip.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months—reheat gently to avoid soggy skin.
- Substitute apricot jam, peach preserves, or honey with orange zest for marmalade; regular soy sauce or Worcestershire can replace gluten-free soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cornish hen with glaze and sides
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: orange marmalade, cornish hen, roasted poultry, citrus glaze, weeknight dinner, elegant dinner, gluten free
