Elevate your next dinner party or intimate meal with this Perdue Single Cornish Hen, a tender and flavorful individual-sized bird that delivers restaurant-quality results right from your home kitchen. This whole Cornish hen, also known as a Cornish game hen, is a young chicken breed that typically weighs between 1-2 pounds, making it the perfect single-serving or couples' portion. Despite its name, Cornish hens are not game birds but rather a hybrid chicken variety prized for their delicate flavor and naturally tender meat.
Cornish hens have been a staple of fine dining and special occasion cooking across many culinary traditions, from classic American roast dinners to Mediterranean herb-crusted preparations. Their compact size makes them ideal for elegant presentation, while their mild, slightly richer flavor compared to regular chicken appeals to a wide range of palates. These versatile birds cook faster than full-sized chickens, typically roasting to perfection in 45-60 minutes.
For best results, try roasting your Cornish hen with fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, or experiment with international flavors like Moroccan spices, Asian glazes, or Mediterranean olive oil and lemon preparations. The individual serving size makes portion control effortless while creating an impressive presentation for dinner guests. Pair with roasted vegetables, wild rice, or seasonal sides to create a memorable meal that feels both sophisticated and comforting.