Cornish game hens are a close relative to chicken and pheasant. This is an elegant but easy recipe for the slow cooker; Cornish game hens with Grand Marnier sauce. Perfect for a special occasion or special dinner, easy enough for every day!
What Are Cornish Game Hens?
While Cornish game hens sound exotic, the are not actually “game” at all, and are really just young chickens. They are sometimes referred to as Rock Cornish Game Hens. They generally weigh around two pounds, and are killed much younger than chickens, between four and six weeks. (This post was originally posted on December 17th, 2011 and has been updated to contain nutritional information. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases.)
Where can you find Game Hens?
Although they sound like something you can only find on an autumn shoot at your English cousin’s estate, game hens are found in the freezer section of most grocery stores. If you’ve never seen them there, it’s probably because you didn’t notice them! You can even find them at big box stores like Costco.
How much does one game hen serve?
This is entirely subjective. Some recipes call for one hen per person, and some one for every two people. That will depend on how hungry or how big your family’s or guest’s appetites are. Or how much you plan to serve with the hens. My family of four, all adults, split two hens between the four of us. 
How do you prepare game hens?
Preparing the game hens is similar to preparing a whole roasting chicken. the advantage is, they are already pretty clean, with the giblets usually removed. Pat them dry.
Season well with salt and black pepper. Stuff the cavity with fresh sage and thyme for extra flavor.
What’s the best way to cook game hens?
You can roast the game hens in the oven, which actually takes less time than the slow-cooker. But the slow cooker or Crock-pot does have the advantage of freeing up oven space if you’re preparing other dishes. I’ve included both methods here.
Can you make Cornish game hens in a crock pot or slow cooker?
The original recipe I posted back in 2011 was for the slow-cooker. I’ve updated the recipe to include oven roasting instructions as well. You’ll end up with more liquid when you cook them in the slow-cooker, so it will take longer to reduce into a sauce.
What do you serve with Cornish Game Hens?
I love to serve these Game Hens with Cranberry Pecan Wild Rice, which has a wonderful autumn feeling. Brussels sprouts are a classic vegetable for the fall. Pear and Gorgonzola Salad with Candied Pecans is elegant and seasonal. My favorite super easy dessert for entertaining is Lemon Posset.
How to make the Grand Marnier Sauce.
The cooking and basting liquid will turn into a glossy and delicious sauce. Whether you decide to use the Crock-pot or roast the birds in the oven, the marinade amounts and ingredients are the same. However cooking them in a slow-cooker results in more liquid, which means it will take longer to reduce down into a sauce. Strain the juices to remove any bits of herbs or skin. Heat over a medium heat until sauce is reduced by half and is about as thick as maple syrup. Remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in 2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier and 4 Tablespoons butter. Spoon or pour sauce over the birds just before serving.
I hope you enjoy this easy and elegant recipe for Cornish game hens!
Cornish Game Hen with Grand Marnier Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens cleaned and patted dry
- kosher salt and pepper to season the birds
- 1 Orange zest and juice
- 4 Tablespoons soy sauce gluten free, tamari or coconut aminos
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Grand Marnier Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons Grand Marnier divided
Instructions
Roasted Game Hens
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Mix zest and juice of one orange, soy sauce, garlic, honey, brown sugar, and salt together in a bowl.
- Pat dry the game hens, season with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavities with fresh sage and thyme leaves. Tie or truss legs together.
- Place game hens in a small roasting pan. Pour sauce over the hens and cover. Roast at 425 F. for 20 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 350 F. and continue roasting an additional 60 minutes or until thermometer inserted in thickest part of leg reaches 160 F. See below to finish the sauce.
Game Hens in the Slow-Cooker or Crock-Pot
- Mix zest and juice of one orange, soy sauce, garlic, honey, brown sugar, and salt together in the slow cooker.
- Split the birds down the back and flatten them out and put in slow cooker, breast side down.
- Cook on high for 1 1/2 hours. Flip birds and continue cooking an additional 1 1/2 hours.
For the Grand Marnier Sauce
- Remove birds from crock pot or roasting pan and strain the juices.
- Heat the remaining juice/marinade over a medium heat until reduced by half and slightly thicker. This will depend on how much liquid you have left. There will be more liquid if you cooked the birds in a slow cooker. You want the sauce to be about as thick as maple syrup. Remove pan from heat.
- Finish sauce by whisking in 4 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon of Grand Mariner. It will be glossy and coat the back of a spoon
- Finish birds by browning skin under broiler for a couple of minutes until the skin in golden brown.
- Spoon some sauce over each bird.
Christie - Food Done Light says
What a great idea. I never thought to cook cornish hens in the crock pot. I love the addition of the Grand Marnier. Pinned this one to add to one of my Healthy Round Ups.
Tara says
This meal looks like perfection!! I love that you cooked them in a crockpot and I love the rice recipe. Brilliant!!
Cynthia says
Thanks Tara, I love using the crockpot! It makes every recipe practically foolproof!
Aunt Bee says
This looks great! I love that you used the crock pot! <3
Cynthia says
Thanks Brandi! I love my crockpot!
Nicole Neverman says
Thank you so much for attending week 6 of #PureBlogLove and linking your fantastic blog post. This hen recipe looks delicious, Cynthia! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for our party next week Thursday 8 PM EST- Sundays at midnight . Your post has been added to the #PureBlogLove Pinterest board for all to see 🙂 Have a great day!
Nicole
http://picnicnz.blogspot.co.nz/
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
Cynthia, I love your story. What a great adventure for you to reminisce about. Your recipe sounds delish. Love the orange. Thanks so much for sharing at #theWeekendSocial. You always make me hungry! Pinned. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I love that you cooked these in the slow cooker! Genius!
Cynthia says
I love the slow cooker as well Lauren!
Andi says
I love game birds – pheasant, quail and eat as much of it as possible when I go back to Europe – since you’re right Cornish game hen is about all we get! I also love rabbit, something I had never eaten until moving to France. Now we eat it all the time. Our local butcher makes and amazing rabbit pate that I could eat by the pound!
Cynthia says
Andi, I’m with you on pate! I LOVE it! I went to cooking school in San Francisco…probably not too far from you. I would love to track down some great pate!
amanda @ fake ginger says
That sauce! It looks and sounds delicious!
sue/the view from great island says
Perfect timing! I’ve been eying Cornish game hens at the store and getting so tempted to give them a try — this recipe has it all, from the Grand Marnier to the wild rice…sounds like a winner.
Cynthia says
Thanks Sue! It’s so easy and would be great for a small family or an elegant dinner party. too.
April says
sounds like a magical time!!! i ate a lot of cornish game hen in law school… but it was from the freezer section of my market and cooked in the microwave. LOL
Cynthia says
April, it was a magical time! Ah, to be young and carefree again!
Heather | girlichef says
I had to giggle when I read the PBS line – because that’s EXACTLY what I was thinking it sounded like. Ahhhh, dreamy… 😉 These cornish game hens sound lovely!
Cynthia says
Heather, I was a great time! I’m glad I realized it and savored the time rather than taking it for granted…I most assuredly DO NOT live in a PBS kind of world today!
estherjulee says
that’s so cool that you got to experience the entire process. i don’t know if i have the stomach for plucking and removing the shots.. but i do love target shooting and have always wanted to try hunting. i imagine it’s so much more difficult. i was never really good at skeet shooting either with moving targets. 😛
Des @ Life's Ambrosia says
What a gorgeous dinner! We don’t cook game hens that often but this makes me want to run out and get some right now!
Cynthia says
Des, they really are a pretty inexpensive meal. They are plentiful in my grocer’s freezer section right now. I think they also make a nice elegant meal for a small party.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
I have so much “awe” for this recipe – first, cornish hens in a crockpot is simply brilliant! And – gosh – that Grand Marnier Sauce sounds so insanely delicious! I cannot wait to give this a try!
Marye says
Oh my gosh, this looks wonderful!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Your painted such a lovely picture by describing your evenings in England as ” magical, 1940’s PBS drama, kind of time”. And speaking of magical – wow – cornish hens in the slow cooker must taste anything but magical indeed!
Heather Kinnaird says
my kids LOVE game hens, it always made them feel special as littles that they got their own bird – but I never thought to make them in the slow cooker…what a great idea
Cynthia says
Thank you Heather! They are so easy!
Maria says
This chicken is so moist! Perfect dinner.
Jordan Anderson says
I love the method of using the slow cooker for these. And that sauce recipe! I can already taste it in my head. Yum!
Cynthia says
Thank you! It’s not only delicious, it’s easy too!
Florentina says
This looks so great! I love white meat, it is easy to digest and very tasty. Never tried it like this but I will try your recipe. Thank you for sharing it.
Wish a great day!
Greetings!
Flo from
https://femeieastazi.blogspot.it
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
This dish looks amazing. The Grand Marnier is such a great flavor for the sauce! I love that the slow cooker will do the heavy lifting!
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
I don’t know why in the world I haven’t made this yet! An elegant dish that’s made in a slow cooker? That’s a major accomplishment, Cynthia! Great recipe and I love that it’s totally original. Good for you!!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
I love these little birds! I never thought to cook it in the slow cooker, great idea!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I’ve never had game hens, but I have had (and loved) pheasant, so I bet I would love this!! It looks so delicious!
Cynthia says
It would totally work with pheasants!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a flavorful recipe!
Rebecca says
I love slow cooker entrees like this one! Thank you!
Bill says
I’m really enjoying your recipes. I made the Grand Marnier cornish game hens last night the sauce was delicious. I made the oven version since I don’t have a slow cooker currently. My wife is not a fan of chicken but she loved the dish with wild rice and Brussels sprouts.
Cynthia says
thank you so much Bill for you kind comments! I’m glad you enjoyed it.