Specifically, Cornish chickens are a breed from England. The female chickens, called ‘hens,’ aren’t known as skilled egg-producers, so they are generally bred for their meat. Yet, despite simply being a kind of chicken, there are still some marked differences between Cornish hens and the chicken we are most often used to eating. Let’s investigate.
Size
The first and most notable difference is the size of Cornish hens, which are generally around one to two pounds. When served, a Cornish hen is typically offered as an individual portion.
Texture
Cornish hens are butchered younger, which tends to make their meat more tender than chickens when cooked.
Nutrition
Cornish hens’ adolescence also contributes to a lower fat content. Since they are comprised of primarily white meat, Cornish hens are very lean and rich in niacin, which can help lower cholesterol and boost brain function.
Taste
To most people, the taste gap between Cornish hen and chicken is negligible. While some think chicken has a stronger flavor, others maintain that you can’t tell a difference. The conclusion: You’ll have to try each one for yourself to determine which side you land on.
That said, the biggest difference between Cornish hens and chicken is how they are served. Since the hens are so small, they can make an appealing dinner presentation when prepared as an individual entrée. Or, if you’re hosting an event with multiple sides, Cornish hens are easily split in half — either before or after cooking — thanks to their soft bones.
The Best Ways to Prepare Cornish Hen
While chicken offers countless preparation options, your best bet when cooking Cornish hen is roasting. Since they’re so much smaller than your typical whole chicken, it’s actually easier to roast a hen and achieve the ideal combination: both fully cooked meat and crispy skin. And of course, a full Cornish hen roasts significantly faster than a whole chicken, with most hens only needing 20 to 25 minutes in a 450-degree oven.
For seasonings, try similar combinations that you would use with chicken: garlic and herbs, lemon and butter, or olive oil and rosemary. Your dinner guests will enjoy the elegance of being served a full miniature bird on their plates.
The Versatility of Chicken
Chicken, on the other hand, is significantly more versatile. Easily portioned out into breasts, thighs or legs, chicken can be baked, sautéed, grilled, slow-cooked, pressure-cooked, roasted, broiled, poached or even cooked sous vide. The possibilities are endless.
However, if you’d like to add a little elegance to your dinner table (without alienating picky eaters), Cornish hens are the perfect compromise. To start, try this recipe for Roasted Cornish Hens with Fresh Figs and Rosemary, developed by Market House James Beard award-winning chef, Tim McKee.
Find antibiotic-free, non-GMO Cornish Hens for your next dinner party here.
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FAQs
Cornish hens are known to have a more delicate flavor than chicken, and they absorb marinades and other seasonings better. Because of their small size, they take a shorter amount of time to cook. So be sure to keep an eye on your roasted Cornish hen when it's in the oven. No one wants to eat a dry bird.
Is Cornish hen tastier than chicken? ›
Taste. To most people, the taste gap between Cornish hen and chicken is negligible. While some think chicken has a stronger flavor, others maintain that you can't tell a difference. The conclusion: You'll have to try each one for yourself to determine which side you land on.
What is the best way to eat Cornish hens? ›
Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect as a serving for one person or split in half when served with some delicious sides. I love pairing this easy roasted Cornish hen recipe with my Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables; or Brussels sprouts... Lots more ideas below!
What is so special about Cornish hens? ›
A lot of the best qualities of a great roast chicken are accentuated in Cornish hens. Their flavor is often described as rich and moist with a hint of sweetness. Because they're harvested so young, Cornish hens' meat is exceptionally tender. Their high skin-to-meat ratio makes them remarkably succulent too.
Can one person eat a whole Cornish hen? ›
Cornish Hens are just baby chickens but they taste completely different. They present really well when serving and cook in a short period of time. I like serving them for dinner parties or for the holidays. Typically 1/2 a Cornish hen is enough for one person but someone with a good appetite could eat a whole one.
What is the tastiest chicken to eat? ›
Bresse Chicken is a 400-year-old chicken breed many Chefs believe to be the world's most delicious thanks to its juicy, deeply flavoured, buttery meat.
What is the most tasty piece of chicken? ›
Arguably the tastiest part of the chicken, thighs are little parcels of tender, juicy meat from the top of the bird's leg. You can buy them bone in, or bone out, and with the skin on or off. The meat is darker and firmer than the white breast meat and needs slightly longer to cook.
How do you get the gamey taste out of Cornish hens? ›
The distinct game flavor of either birds or animals will be milder after soaking the meat overnight in the refrigerator in either a salt or vinegar solution. 2. Vinegar solution - 1 cup per quart of cold water. Use enough solution to cover the game completely.
Should Cornish hens be cooked breast up or breast down? ›
Place breast side up on rack in shallow roasting pan. 5. Roast, uncovered, basting frequently with butter for 1 hour (if hen weighs over 1lb 2oz, roast 1 hour and 15 minutes) or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 180°F when inserted into inner thigh.
Why is my Cornish hen tough? ›
One of the primary contributors to tough chicken meat is the age of the bird at the time of slaughter, Knight said. “As the [bird] gets older the muscle fibers become tough,” he said. “So a 2-year-old hen or 3-year-old farm rooster is going to be tough.”
The only downside to Cornish game hens is that they're pricier than regular chickens, whether you're purchasing them in a grocery store or at a restaurant.
Are Cornish hens good egg layers? ›
Although Cornish hens lay fewer than 160 small/medium cream or light brown eggs a year, they can go broody and make doting and protective mothers. Unfortunately, with their massive bodies and shorter legs, they are known to accidentally break eggs as they are not physically well-built to sit.
What is a fun fact about Cornish chickens? ›
The Cornish were developed in the shire (county) of Cornwall, England where the breed was known as "Indian Game". They show the obvious influence of Malay and other oriental blood. They were prized for their large proportion of white meat and its fine texture. The breed was recognized by the APA in 1893.
Do Cornish hens taste like chicken? ›
The tender meat of the Cornish hen has a subtle, more delicate flavor than that of a regular chicken, although the taste is still distinctly “chicken-y”. Like a regular chicken, Cornish hens are pink when they are raw, and golden brown and crispy on the outside when roasted.
Is Cornish hen basically a baby chicken? ›
Cornish game hen (also Rock Cornish game hen) is the USDA-approved name for a particular variety of broiler chicken, produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds, that is served young and immature, weighing no more than two pounds (900 g) ready to cook.
Are Cornish hens male or female? ›
Traditional Cornish hens are female Cornish chickens. The Cornish hens available in grocery stores are actually a hybridized breed of bird developed especially for commercial production.
Which chicken is most tasty? ›
Boneless chicken thighs
If chicken thighs are cooked well, they are one of the juiciest, most luscious types of meat you can enjoy.
Why are Cornish hens so expensive? ›
Why are Cornish hens so expensive? Part of the price is due to its decades-old reputation as an exotic new bird (though it really isn't). It's been marketed as a fancy alternative to chicken and so manufacturer's can get away with charging such a steep price.
Which is better turkey or Cornish hen? ›
They're at least as scrumptious as turkeys, but they're much smaller — weighing in at 1 pound to 2 pounds — making them easier to cook. They roast up much more quickly, and you don't have to wrestle them into a roasting pan to make them fit. With hens that are on the large size, you get two servings out of every bird.
