Apricot Glazed Stuffed Cornish Hens

These stuffed Cornish Hens will be a stunning display of beauty on any table where they find themselves. Shimmering with an apricot glaze and packed with wild rice stuffing that’s loaded with dried apricots and cranberries. This dish is sure to be a “show stopper” for any get-together or dinner party you throw.

You might be saying to yourself, “What’s so exciting about Cornish hens? They’re just little chickens.” True, but so much more! They have a “fancy air” to the extent they find their way to elegant dinner parties or ritzy restaurants. These beauties are the perfect recommendation for your Christmas dinner coming up in a few weeks. It will automatically bring a “wow” effect to your holiday table.

Why I Love this recipe:

These little birds are perfect for individual servings. Each Cornish hen is a generous single portion and a treat when you give a guest their own entree prepared individually for them. These birds have a luxurious feel but are very practical without the fuss and hassle of a large turkey.

Cornish Hens sit so beautifully on a serving tray. This is such an impressive presentation in the middle of your table. The glaze produces an orange hue and is gorgeous on the skin of these hens. Garnishing the tray with fresh sage, dried apricots, and fresh cranberries will create a festive feel for your guests during the Holiday season.

The wild rice stuffing adds both texture and depth of flavor to this dish. The wild rice is combined with chopped celery, onion and garlic along with dried apricots and craisins. This is the perfect combination that enhances the overall flavor of this featured entree.

Stuffing the Little Birds

This Wild Rice Stuffing is the perfect complement to these Apricot Glazed Cornish Hens. You’ll find this to be quite simple. While the wild rice is cooking, begin sautéing the chopped onions, celery. Add the chopped dried apricots and cranberries along with the rice and slivered onions. 

• One of the things that I would recommend for the wild rice stuffing is to make sure the rice is cooked until the grain has burst open a bit and it’s tender and fluffy.
• Unlike regular rice, wild rice does not absorb all the water, therefore, you will need to drain the excess liquid from the rice. 

Preparing the Hens for Roasting

Remove the giblets from the Cornish hens and rinse the hens both inside and out. Dry them with a paper towel and generously salt and pepper the insides of the hens. Shake out any excess seasonings.

Pack with the wild rice stuffing. Using kitchen string tie the legs together. Rub olive oil on all sides of the Cornish hens and generously salt and pepper the outside of the birds. Lay breast side up in a shallow roasting pan and tuck under the wings. Sprinkle with fresh herbs.

Glazing the Hens

The apricot preserves mixed with triple sec is what gives these little birds their gorgeous orange hue. Baste them before they go in the oven and continue basting every 20 minutes while they are roasting.

Roasting the Cornish Hens

Preheat the oven to 400°F and cook uncovered for about 80 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160°F in the thigh. If they start to burn while cooking, tent foil over them but remove the foil for the last 15 minutes of cooking.

Extra Wild Rice Stuffing for a Side Dish

There should’ve been more than enough rice to stuff each hen with plenty left over for a side dish. Cover the extra wild rice stuffing and throw it in the oven for the last 15-20 minutes while cooking the cornish hens to ensure the stuffing is nice and warm.

Remove the hens from the oven and tent with more foil and let them sit for 10 minutes.

Serving these Cornish Hens

You have a couple of options when serving these adorable little birds. You can place the Stuffed Cornish Hens on individual plates which is then displayed at each guest’s place setting. Or you can display them on a serving tray and garnish with fresh sage, dried apricots, and fresh cranberries as a festive centerpiece for your Holiday table.

If you’re tired of the traditional ham or turkey for the Holidays, give these gorgeous Stuffed Cornish Hens a try. You can make as many as you need for either a small gathering or a large one. I think you just might find that they’re your new go-to holiday entree.

If you’re looking for other alternative ideas for your Holiday table, be sure and check these out:

Herbed Crown Roast of Pork

Homemade Stuffing with Apples and Sausage

Hasselback Buttery Potato Ring

Gingerbread Layer Cake

Racks of Lamb with Apricot Mustard Glaze

Roasted Green Beans with Olives and Sundried Tomatoes

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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