Cooking Cornish game hens in a crock pot involves placing seasoned hens in the pot, adding liquid, and slow-cooking them until tender.
Want a simple, hands-off way to prepare a delightful meal? You can achieve incredibly juicy and flavorful results when you learn how to cook Cornish game hens in a crock pot. It’s a perfect solution for busy weeknights or when you want an easy yet elegant dish.
This method requires minimal effort, letting the slow cooker do all the work. The result is incredibly tender, delicious game hens that will impress everyone.
How to Cook Cornish Game Hens in a Crock Pot
Okay, so you’re thinking about cooking Cornish game hens, but you want to do it the easy way, right? Good news! A slow cooker, also known as a crock pot, is your new best friend. It’s perfect for making these little birds juicy and super flavorful without much work on your part. Forget slaving over a hot stove, the crock pot does most of the heavy lifting. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make delicious, fall-off-the-bone Cornish game hens in your slow cooker.
Why Use a Crock Pot for Cornish Game Hens?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s chat about why using a crock pot is such a great idea. First off, it’s incredibly convenient. You can prep everything in the morning, toss it in the slow cooker, and by dinnertime, you have a complete meal ready. The slow, even heat of the crock pot ensures the hens cook perfectly and stay moist. Unlike baking or roasting, which can sometimes dry out these little birds, slow cooking keeps them incredibly tender. Plus, slow cooking really helps all the flavors blend together beautifully, making the whole meal taste fantastic. And, lets be honest, it frees up your oven for other things! Think roasted vegetables as a side while your hens are bubbling away. It’s a win-win!
Choosing Your Cornish Game Hens
Alright, let’s talk hens! When you’re at the grocery store, you’ll typically find Cornish game hens in the freezer section. They’re usually sold frozen, so plan ahead and get them thawing in the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to cook. Try to choose hens that are about the same size so they cook evenly. If you’re cooking multiple hens, try to pick ones that don’t have broken skin, or seem bruised. If you can, opt for hens that are raised humanely and preferably organic. This can make a difference in taste and quality.
Essential Ingredients and Supplies
Before we start, make sure you have all your ingredients ready. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1-4 Cornish game hens (depending on the size of your crock pot and how many people you’re feeding)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is also great for a little extra flavor!)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Optional herbs: dried thyme, rosemary, or poultry seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
- Optional vegetables: carrots, celery, potatoes, onion (cut into chunks)
You’ll also need:
- A slow cooker (size will depend on the number of hens you are cooking, a 6-quart slow cooker is often a good size)
- A small mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Tongs for handling the hot hens
Step-by-Step Guide: Preparing Your Cornish Game Hens for the Crock Pot
Now comes the fun part! Let’s get these hens ready for their slow cooker spa day.
Thawing Your Hens
First things first: make sure your hens are completely thawed. The safest and best way to do this is by placing them in your refrigerator a day or two in advance. Never thaw frozen meat on the counter at room temperature! This can make bacteria grow. If you are in a hurry, you can thaw them in a sealed bag in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes, but it’s better to plan ahead. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Rinsing and Drying
Once they’re thawed, take each hen out of its packaging and give them a good rinse under cold water, both inside and out. Make sure you remove any giblets or packaging that might be inside the cavity of the bird. Pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick better and also allows the skin to crisp up slightly in the crock pot, even though we’re not trying to achieve crispy skin, getting the moisture out is a must.
Seasoning the Hens
In that little mixing bowl, combine the olive oil or melted butter, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and any other herbs you want to use. Stir it all together. Now, grab each hen and rub that yummy mixture all over the skin, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies, and under the wings and legs. Don’t forget to sprinkle some seasoning inside the cavity of each bird. This is where the magic happens, so don’t be shy with the seasoning.
Getting Your Crock Pot Ready
Before you put the hens in, it’s a good idea to give your crock pot a little prep work. First, spray the inside with cooking spray. This helps make cleanup easier. If you are including vegetables, spread them across the bottom of the crock pot. The veggies will act as a rack, keeping the hens from sitting directly on the bottom and also adding to the flavor of the broth. If you do not like soggy vegetables, then skip them.
Cooking Your Cornish Game Hens in the Crock Pot
Time to get cooking! Carefully place the seasoned hens on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker, or directly on the bottom of the slow cooker if you’re not using vegetables. Pour the chicken broth or chicken stock around the hens. Be careful not to pour it directly over the seasoning, you don’t want to wash it away. You may need to rearrange the hens a bit to fit them all in the crock pot. Cover the crock pot and set it to low heat for 6-8 hours, or high heat for 3-4 hours. Cooking time can vary based on your crock pot, so it’s best to check on the hens after 3 hours on high, or 6 hours on low. You’ll know they are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or more. The meat will be tender and easy to pull from the bones.
Checking for Doneness
This is important! Using a meat thermometer is key to making sure the hens are cooked through. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure not to touch the bone. If the temperature reads 165°F (74°C) or more, they’re ready to eat! If they’re not quite there, cook them for another 30 minutes or so and check again. Remember that chicken, including game hens, needs to reach this safe internal temperature to make sure all bacteria is killed.
Optional: Adding Vegetables
If you want to include vegetables with your hens, you can add them to the crock pot at the start of the cooking process. Potatoes, carrots, and celery are great choices because they can handle the long cooking time. Cut them into large chunks so they don’t turn to mush. You can also add onions, garlic, or other root vegetables. If you prefer that your vegetables are not very soft you can add them to the crock pot the last 2 to 3 hours of cooking time, or separately roast your vegetables in the oven. Experiment and see what works best for your preference.
Serving Your Crock Pot Cornish Game Hens
Once your hens are cooked, turn off the slow cooker and let them rest for a few minutes. Then, carefully use tongs to remove them from the crock pot. Be careful, they will be very tender! The meat should be literally falling off the bone. Transfer them to a platter and arrange them nicely. Spoon the cooked vegetables around the hens. You can also spoon some of the cooking broth over top if desired, for extra moisture and flavor. Now, it’s time to enjoy your beautifully cooked Cornish game hens! They are amazing served with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. The juicy meat is incredibly flavorful and tender, thanks to that slow cooking process. They are also great served with cranberry sauce or gravy.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Crock Pot Cornish Game Hens
Here are some extra tips and tricks to make your crock pot Cornish game hen experience even better.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure your hens fit in the crock pot without being squished. If they are too crowded, they won’t cook evenly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is the single best way to ensure the meat is cooked to a safe temperature.
- Don’t Peek Too Often: Keep the lid on the crock pot as much as possible. Every time you lift the lid, the cooking time increases.
- Browning is Optional: For a slightly crispier skin (but this is minimal in the crock pot, so don’t be surprised if the skin is still soft), you can quickly brown the hens in a hot skillet with a bit of butter or oil before adding them to the slow cooker. However, this step is completely optional, and not necessary to achieve flavorful and juicy meat.
- Add Some Wine: For extra flavor, you can substitute a portion of the chicken broth with white wine or sherry.
- Experiment with Seasoning: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and herbs. Try adding lemon slices, fresh garlic cloves, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Thicken the Juices: After the hens are cooked, you can use the remaining juices to create a delicious sauce. Simply remove the hens, then strain the juices and add a cornstarch slurry to the juices and allow to simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
Dealing with Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, they’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just store them in an airtight container. Leftover Cornish game hen meat is great in sandwiches, salads, or even casseroles. You can also freeze cooked Cornish game hen meat for later use. Make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn. The bones can be used to make delicious bone broth. So, nothing goes to waste!
A Few More Serving Suggestions
Here are some specific serving suggestions to help you create a complete meal:
- Classic Comfort: Serve your Cornish game hens with mashed potatoes, gravy, and steamed green beans.
- Mediterranean Delight: Pair the hens with couscous, roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini, and a drizzle of lemon-herb vinaigrette.
- Southern Feast: Serve with cornbread, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese.
- Elegant Option: Present the hens with a side of wild rice pilaf, glazed carrots, and a light salad.
- Simple and Delicious: Enjoy the hens with a baked potato, a dollop of sour cream, and a simple side salad.
Cooking Cornish game hens in a slow cooker is really quite easy. With a bit of planning and a few simple steps, you can make a delicious meal that will impress family and friends. The slow cooking method ensures that the hens are juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. Whether it’s a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, slow-cooked Cornish game hens are a fantastic option that takes the pressure off the cook. And the best part is, it’s so simple to do!
Crockpot Cornish Game Hens/Twisted Mikes
Final Thoughts
Cooking Cornish game hens in a crock pot is simple. Place hens in the pot, add your chosen seasonings, and some liquid. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the meat reaches safe temperature.
This slow cooking method yields incredibly tender and juicy hens. The low and slow approach keeps the meat moist. Following these basic steps, you’ll find how to cook cornish game hens in a crock pot easily and with great success.
