These Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens are tender and flavorful thanks to this easy and foolproof recipe. It combines an elegant meal with the convenience of slow cooking. Simply season these petite birds with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, set it, and forget it! Let the appliance work its magic as the hens become infused with rich flavors, leaving you with moist and succulent meat that falls off the bone.
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Table of Contents
What are Cornish Game Hens?
They are a small breed of chicken that originated in Cornwall, England. They are not game birds but rather a specific crossbreed of chickens. The typical Cornish hen is a young female chicken that weighs around 1-2 pounds and is about 4-6 weeks old when processed to eat.
Cornish hens are known for their tender, flavorful meat. They are commonly served on holidays and for special occasions and individual servings. Because of their small size, these are ideal for individual servings, making them perfect for elegant dinners, holiday feasts, or romantic meals for two.
Cornish hens have a flavor similar to that of regular chickens but with some slight differences due to their smaller size and tenderness. Some people describe the taste of Cornish hens as having a subtle sweetness, especially when cooked properly.
How to Season
I provide a couple of options, one is the standard poultry/chicken spice blend that consists of garlic powder, onion powder, poultry seasoning, ground thyme, ground rosemary, salt and pepper.
The other option is to use Creole seasoning along with smoked paprika. This blend adds a balance of smokiness, heat, and a depth of savory and herbal notes. Here are more suggestions:
- Lemon Pepper
- Store-Bought Chicken Rub
- Sage
- Cajun Seasoning
How to Make Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pour broth into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pat the Cornish hens dry and rub both sides of the Cornish hens with olive oil and spices.
- Place the seasoned Cornish hens over the broth.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and slow cook.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Poultry should be cooked until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Test using a meat thermometer. I find that I am able to achieve this within a couple of hours.
If you like tender fall-off-the-bone meat, you will likely need to the hens an hour or so longer after this point. Use your judgment and check in on the process to avoid overcooked meat.
How to Know When They Are Fully Cooked
To ensure the hens are fully cooked and safe to eat, you should use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. See notes above.
Do You Have to Add Liquid?
Adding liquid to the Crockpot is recommended. The liquid helps keep the meat moist and infuses it with flavors during the slow cooking process. I like to use chicken broth, any type of broth or stock will work. Here are more liquid options:
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- White Wine: Adds a delicious depth of flavor to the hens. Choose a dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Chardonnay, for best results.
- Citrus Juice: Lemon or orange juice can add a refreshing and tangy flavor to the hens.
- Soy Sauce: This is a great tenderizer and works wonderfully for producing tender, juicy poultry.
- Apple Cider: Imparts a subtle sweetness and is also a tenderizer that will help produce juicy meat.
Crispy Skin
After the Cornish hens have finished cooking in the crockpot and are tender, you can transfer them to a baking sheet and broil them in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up the skin.
You can also place them in an air fryer at 350 degrees and cook until the skin is crisp.
Adding Vegetables
Adding veggies is a great way to make this a one-pot meal. Here are some options:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Celery
- Garlic
- Bell Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Tomatoes
- Corn
When adding vegetables to the crockpot with Cornish hens, place the denser vegetables (like carrots and potatoes) at the bottom, as they take longer to cook. Layer the other vegetables on top.
Frozen Cornish Hens
Cooking frozen poultry in a slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking so I don't recommend it. I recommend you thaw the hens first.
Place the frozen Cornish hens in the refrigerator on a tray or in a container to catch any potential drips. Allow them to thaw slowly in the fridge over 24 to 48 hours, depending on their size.
If you need to thaw them more quickly, you can submerge them in a sealed plastic bag in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes to ensure it stays cold. The hens should thaw within 2 to 6 hours, depending on their size.
How to Store
You can store them fully cooked in the fridge covered and sealed for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
You can reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees until warm.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze the dish tightly covered and sealed for 2-3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
More Main Dish Recipes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Bone In Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Crockpot Spiral Ham
Slow Cooker Crockpot Oxtail
Slow Cooker Crockpot Neck Bones
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks
Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo
Slow Cooker Crockpot Duck
Pair With These Side Dishes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Crockpot Collard Greens
Slow Cooker Crockpot Candied Sweet Potatoes
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
You may also like our Smoked Cornish Hens and Air Fryer Cornish Hens recipes.
Drizzle these in Yellow Gravy or make gravy using the Cornish hens' drippings and this Gravy From Drippings recipe.
Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens
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Equipment
Ingredients
Standard Poultry Spice Blend (You can also use a store-bought rub).
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground rosemary
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Creole Seasoned Spice Blend
- ½ tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2-3 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 2-3 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Pour the broth into the bottom of the slow cooker. My slow cooker is 7 quart.
- Pat the Cornish hens dry and rub both sides of the Cornish hens with olive oil and sprinkle the spices throughout onto both sides. Rub the spices into the Cornish hens. I like to place the rosemary and thyme inside the cavity of the hens. You can also place them over the poultry.
- Place the seasoned Cornish hens over the broth. Use enough spices to fully coat the hens. Add additional spices if necessary.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on High for 3-4 hours or on Low for 6-7 hours. Poultry should be cooked until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Test using a meat thermometer. I find that I am able to achieve this within a couple of hours. If you like tender fall-off-the-bone meat, you will likely need to the hens an hour or so longer after this point. Use your judgment and check in on the process to avoid overcooked meat.
- After cooking, you should let the Cornish hens cool for about 20 to 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. If you slice into the meat too soon, you will miss out on the internal juice distribution, which will result in dry meat.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Shadi says
This dish is definitely going to be a showstopper at my next dinner gathering. Thank you for sharing this impressive and delectable recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Marsha says
These were so delicious! Juicy, tender, and full of flavour.
staysnatched says
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Sherry says
Your instructions say to place the Cornish hens OVER the broth. Don't you mean INTO the broth or is there a step missing? Most recipes I have read keep the hens out of the broth to keep the skin from becoming mushy. Thank you.
staysnatched says
No, there isn't a step missing. I don't say into the broth because it's a thin layer and it is not going to submerge the Cornish hens. Pour the broth. Add the hens. There are photos in the post that show you this as well.
Sherry says
@staysnatched, Thank you for the explanation. I am a new cook, so need direction often. This will be my Thanksgiving dinner.
staysnatched says
Wonderful!