In an oven preheated to 350 F, cornish hens averaging between 1.5 to 2 pounds can take between 45 – 60 minutes to bake and reach a safe 165 F internal temperature. These baking times can vary slightly as they depend mainly on the weight of your cornish hens. That for, you need to keep an eye on your cornish hens in the last few minutes of baking.
You can bake up to 4 cornish hens in the same preheated 350 F oven and they will take the same baking time of 45 – 60 minutes. Keep in mind tho that you should keep a space between them, and only bake as many as your oven can hold.
How Long To Bake Cornish Hens At 350 In The Oven
Cornish hens weighing between 1.5 – 2 pounds when baked in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F can take around 45 – 60 minutes to bake and be safe to consume. Since these times are approximate and can vary slightly, I recommend checking on your cornish hens in the last 5 – 10 minutes of baking to avoid overcooking them.
If you are baking your cornish hens in a 400 degrees F preheated oven, then aim to bake them for 35 – 50 minutes and reach a 165 F internal temperature when checked with a food thermometer.
How Long To Bake Cornish Hens At 350 Per Pound
At a temperature of 350 F, each pound of cornish hens will generally require about 20 – 30 minutes to bake in a preheated oven. That for, cornish hens weighing around 1.5 pounds, for instance, could take 30 – 45 minutes to bake in the same 350 F oven.
For those baking at 400 F, your cornish hens will take between 18 – 25 minutes per pound to bake and reach a safe internal temperature of 165 F. As the temperature is higher, be sure to check your hens more frequently to avoid overcooking.
How Long To Bake 2 Cornish Hens At 350 F
When baking 2 cornish hens weighing between 1.5 – 2 pounds in a 350 F preheated oven, you should still bake them for 45 – 60 minutes. Baking 2 hens should take roughly the same time as cooking 1, provided there is enough space between them.
You can bake as many cornish hens as you want in the same 350°F oven for 20–30 minutes per pound, as long as your oven can hold them and there is enough room between them to allow the heat to spread evenly.
How Long To Bake Stuffed Cornish Hens At 350 F
Stuffed cornish hens weighing 1.5 – 2 pounds should be baked and ready in about 65 – 75 minutes when cooked in a 350 degrees F preheated oven.
If you opt to bake your stuffed cornish hens at a temperature of 400 F, you can reduce the cooking time to 55 – 65 minutes. At this high temperature, you want to consider wrapping your stuffed cornish hens with foil for the first 20 – 30 minutes of baking to assure that the stuffing is cooked without overcooking the outside of the hens.
How Long To Bake Cornish Hens At 350 In a Convectional Oven
When baking 1.5 – 2 pounds of Cornish hens in a convection oven preheated to 350 F, you can expect them to be fully baked in approximately 40 – 50 minutes.
For those using a convection oven at a higher temperature, say 400 F, the cooking time reduces to around 30 – 40 minutes. Regardless of oven type, it’s important to check the internal temperature of your hens, ensuring it reaches a safe 165 F.
How Long To Bake Cornish Hens At 350 In The Air Fryer
In an air fryer preheated to 350 F, cornish hens weighing between 1.5 – 2 pounds typically need about 30 – 40 minutes to fully bake, achieving that crispy outside and juicy inside.
When cooking your cornish hens in an air fryer preheated to 400 F, expect it to be done in approximately 20 – 30 minutes. As with any cooking method, use a food thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of 165 F before serving.
Should I Cover My Cornish Hens With Foil When Baking It?
Covering your Cornish hens with foil while baking can be beneficial, particularly if you want to keep the meat moist and prevent the skin from browning too quickly. By creating a “steam room” effect, the foil helps to cook the hens evenly.
However, if you’re seeking crispy, browned skin, I’d suggest baking the hens uncovered for the final 10 – 15 minutes. This will allow the skin to become crispy while the meat remains juicy. As always, regardless of whether you use foil or not, ensure your hens reach an internal temperature of 165 F.
How Long To Bake Foil Covered Cornish Hens At 350
Baking 1.5 – 2 pounds of foil-covered Cornish hens in a 350 F preheated oven usually takes between 50 – 70 minutes. The foil helps to prevent the skin from getting too brown and also keeps the meat moist, but it can slightly slow down the baking process.
If you choose to bake at 400 F, foil-covered Cornish hens weighing around 1.5 – 2 lb will typically require around 40 – 60 minutes to fully cook. As always, be sure to verify the hens have reached an internal temperature of 165 F before serving.
Baked Cornish Hens At 350 Recipe Ingredients
- 4 Cornish hens
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or dried rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- white wine or dry sherry (not cooking sherry)
How To Bake Cornish Hens At 350
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Rub hens with 2 tablespoons of butter.
- To make the basting sauce use what is left of the butter alongside the other ingredients.
- Bake your cornish hens at 350°F for 45–60 minutes or until they reach a 165F safe internal temperature. Baste every 15 minutes with the butter mixture.
- Take the hens out of the pan and add a few tablespoons of white wine or dry sherry to the juices in the pan. Serve sauce over potatoes or rice.
How Do You Know When A Cornish Hen Is Done?
A Cornish hen is fully cooked when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165 F and the juices run clear when a small incision is made. This temperature ensures that the cornish hens are safe to eat, while the clear juices and opaque, non-pink meat indicate that it’s cooked throughout. Be aware that even after removal from the oven, the internal temperature can rise a few degrees.
What To Serve With Cornish Hens
- Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
- Shrimp Orzo Salad
- Honey Glazed Carrots
- Arugula Salad
- Sautéed Mushrooms
- Italian Wedding Soup
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Mac And Cheese
- Grilled Vegetable Medley
- Orzo Salad With Cucumber
- Warm Quinoa Salad
How To Store And Reheat Cornish Hens Leftovers
To store Cornish hen’s leftovers, cool them completely, place them in an airtight container, and refrigerate them for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, bake at 350 F in a dish with a splash of chicken broth or water, covered in foil, for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches 165 F internally. Avoid microwaving as it can cause the meat to become rubbery and heat unevenly.
More Times and Temperature Guidelines:
- How Long To Cook Enchiladas At 375
- How Long To Cook Frittata In Oven At 350
- How Long To Cook Pizza At 500
How Long To Bake Cornish Hens At 350
Description
In an oven preheated to 350 F, cornish hens averaging between 1.5 to 2 pounds can take between 45 – 60 minutes to bake and reach a safe 165 F internal temperature. These baking times can vary slightly as they depend mainly on the weight of your cornish hens, that for you need to keep an eye on your cornish hens in the last few minutes of baking.
Baked Cornish Hens At 350 Recipe Ingredients
How To Bake Cornish Hens At 350
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Rub hens with 2 tablespoons of butter.
- To make the basting sauce use what is left of the butter alongside the other ingredients.
- Bake your cornish hens at 350°F for 45–60 minutes or until they reach a 165F safe internal temperature. Baste every 15 minutes with the butter mixture.
- Take the hens out of the pan and add a few tablespoons of white wine or dry sherry to the juices in the pan. Serve sauce over potatoes or rice.