Game hens are a delicious CHANGE from chicken, offering tender, juicy meat, and individual portions perfect for special occasions. Their smaller size allows the honey, orange, and teriyaki glaze to infuse deeply, delivering rich, vibrant flavor in every bite.
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Hi There, I'm Tracy!
As a passionate foodie and music enthusiast, I’m here to help you rock your kitchen! I approach recipes creatively, often improvising traditional dishes or crafting my own based on unique dining experiences. Explore my blog for delightful and approachable recipes from breakfast to dinner, including appetizers, desserts, and cocktails. Let’s create meals that leave a lasting impression, paired with music recommendations to groove to while you cook!
Inspirations
When we were growing up, every now and then, my mom would roll out the red carpet and make game hens for dinner. Now, what in the world is a game hen, you ask? I wasn’t entirely sure myself. To me, they were just mini chickens who forgot to eat their vegetables and ended up in the oven anyway. Mom would ceremoniously cut them in half — maybe for portion control? — but we’d inevitably devour the whole bird anyway, so... nice try, Mom!
There was always something oddly elegant about those little hens, like we were dining in a five-star restaurant and just forgot to dress up. It made dinner feel fancy — like someone’s birthday or anniversary — and we were about to break into a cake we didn’t know existed. Even so, there was no denying the charm of it all. Don’t get me wrong, my mom was (and still is) an amazing cook, so even an “average” weekday dinner was pretty stellar. But whenever the game hens made an appearance, you couldn’t help but wonder if some unknown guest was about to pop by for a surprise visit.
We’d all start out prim and proper with our forks and knives, yet before long, all dignity was lost. There we were, gnawing and picking at those tiny bones, determined to claim every last bit of juicy goodness. Elbows on the table, sauce on our faces — no regrets. After all, some meals are meant to be savored without rules.
Later on, when I grew up and started cooking for myself, this recipe came along for the ride, safely tucked into my trusty recipe box. My handwriting has always been a bit... avant-garde, but I made sure to print it carefully so it would stand the test of time. Over the years, I’ve added my own twist — more honey, because why not? I give them a generous honey drizzle before they hit the oven and whip up extra sauce to bathe those little birds in sticky, golden glory. As a result, the hens come out tender, sweet, and irresistibly glossy. Treat them like your Thanksgiving turkey: baste early, baste often.
Finally, the payoff? Golden-brown, gorgeous hens that fill your house with an aroma so tempting, you’ll wish you could capture it and keep it around all day. Serve them with some Creamy Mashed Potatoes or a green veggie, and voila! You’ve got an easy yet elegant meal that says, “I made something fancy,” but in reality, took minimal effort.
Instruments
Tongs to serve those juicy hens when golden brown
Baster to soak up all that buttery orange sauce for basting
Silicone brush for an even coat of honey before roasting
8x8-inch baking pan that fits two small game hens snugly
Whisk for blending butter, honey, teriyaki, and orange juice into a smooth groove
Liquid measuring cup for easy pouring
Measuring spoons to keep the mix balanced and consistent
Essentials
Game hens – the main act, ready to hit the stage golden and juicy
Orange juice – brings brightness, depth, and a little citrus groove that keeps things lively
Teriyaki sauce – the salty-sweet riff that makes the sauce sing in perfect harmony
Seasoned salt – your baseline flavor builder, keeping everything balanced from the first beat
Honey & hot honey – the sweet-and-spicy duet that adds body and soul to every bite
Unsalted Butter – smooth and rich, the behind-the-scenes producer that makes the whole mix melt together
Pro Tips and Riffs
Faq: Grub Answers and Insights
Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Honey Teriyaki Glaze
- Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
These Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Honey Teriyaki Glaze hit all the right notes — crispy skin, tender meat, and a glossy sauce that balances sweet, salty, and citrusy flavors in perfect harmony. A drizzle of honey and a touch of heat from hot honey turn this classic into a show-stopping encore. Simple enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for date night — these little birds prove that “fancy” doesn’t have to mean fussy.
Ingredients
2 Cornish game hens (20-24 oz each), defrosted
1 to 1 ¼ teaspoons seasoned salt, divided
¼ cup honey (for coating hens)
4 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons hot honey
4 ½ tablespoons teriyaki sauce
½ cup orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C).
- Pat game hens dry and sprinkle with seasoned salt, using about ½ teaspoon per hen on the outside and lightly seasoning the cavity with the remaining amount. Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before cooking.
- Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place the hens in the prepared pan.
- Warm the ¼ cup of honey slightly, then use a basting brush to evenly coat the hens. This ensures a smooth layer that caramelizes beautifully while baking.
- Roast for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, whisk together melted butter, hot honey, teriyaki sauce, and orange juice. Reserve about ½ cup of the sauce to warm and serve alongside the hens.
- After 15 minutes, baste hens with the sauce and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.
- Baste every 15 minutes for the remaining 30 minutes of roasting, or until the skin is golden and the meat is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), for a total of 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.
- Serve whole or halved, spooning any extra sauce from the pan over top.
Notes
You can buy Cornish game hens at the grocery store in packages of two or at Costco in packages of six in the freezer section.
For the best results, don’t skip the basting! It ensures the hens stay juicy while developing that irresistible golden-brown skin. And for even browning, rotate the pan halfway through baking.
Tent loosely with foil if the glaze starts to darken too quickly.
Ensure the meat is cooked through by cutting into the thickest part. The juices should run clear, and there should be no pink inside. Roast time may vary slightly depending on the size of your hens.
Game hens are perfect for smaller gatherings or even date nights. You can easily cut them in half for serving, or present them whole for a more dramatic and elegant look.
Feel free to adjust the amount of honey and orange juice based on your taste preferences—more honey for sweetness or more orange juice for acidity. Also, if you'd like to spice things up, try using hot honey for an extra kick!
These hens go wonderfully with roasted or Creamy Mashed Potatoes, a green vegetable like asparagus or green beans, or even a side of roasted root vegetables to complement the sweetness of the sauce.
To store leftover game hens, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
If you want to freeze them, wrap the hens tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
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