A simple, elegant holiday dinner for two

If you’re hosting a smaller Christmas dinner or just want something special without cooking a full turkey, these Christmas Cornish Game Hens are the perfect solution. They’re cozy, festive, and surprisingly easy to make — but still feel like a showstopper on the table.

This recipe is designed for two hens, making it ideal for an intimate holiday meal, date-night Christmas dinner, or when you want something elevated without a ton of leftovers.

Ingredients

• 2 Cornish game hens
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2–3 cloves garlic, smashed
• Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or sage), optional
• Optional aromatics for the pan: onion wedges, carrots, or potatoes

Directions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Pat the Cornish hens completely dry with paper towels — this helps the skin get nice and crispy.

2️⃣ Season the Hens

Place the hens on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan. Rub each hen all over with olive oil or melted butter.

Season generously as desired or with my Ali in the Valley Essence seasoning

3️⃣ Stuff with Flavor

Stuff each hen with:

• Half a lemon
• A couple smashed garlic cloves
• Fresh herbs, if using

This adds so much flavor while they roast.

4️⃣ Roast

Place the hens breast-side up in the oven. Roast uncovered for 55–65 minutes, or until:

• The skin is golden and crispy
• Internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh

If the skin is browning too quickly, loosely tent with foil for the last 10–15 minutes.

5️⃣ Rest & Serve

Remove from the oven and let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving. This keeps them juicy.

Serve whole or cut in half, alongside your favorite holiday sides.