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Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens

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.

slow cooker Crockpot cornish hen on a plate with mac and cheese and brocooli
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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.

raw Cornish hens on a sheet pan

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
broth in a glass cup and spices in a white bowl

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.

  1. Pour broth into the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Pat the Cornish hens dry and rub both sides of the Cornish hens with olive oil and spices.
  3. Place the seasoned Cornish hens over the broth.
  4. Place the lid on the slow cooker and slow cook.
raw Cornish hens drizzled with olive oil
raw seasoned Cornish hens drizzled with olive oil

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.

uncooked cornish hens in a Crockpot slow cooker with broth and herbs
cornish hens in a Crockpot slow cooker with broth and herbs

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:

  • 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.

slow cooker Crockpot cornish hen on a plate with mac and cheese and brocooli

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.

person holding a piece of Crockpot Cornish hens

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.

cornish hens in a Crockpot slow cooker with broth and herbs
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens

These Slow Cooker Crockpot Cornish Hens are tender and flavorful thanks to this easy and foolproof recipe. It combines the elegance of Cornish hens 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.
Save this recipe here.
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword cornish hens in Crockpot, cornish hens in slow cooker, Crockpot cornish hens, slow cooker cornish hens, slow cooker game hens
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings 2 Cornish hens
Calories 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup broth
  • 2 Cornish hens Mine weighed 1 1/4 pounds each.
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil

Standard Poultry Spice Blend (You can also use a store-bought rub).

Creole Seasoned Spice Blend

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

You can double the recipe to cook additional Cornish hens if you wish.
Feel free to use your favorite chicken rub or store bought rub to season the hens.
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. Water will work, too.
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.
Recipe Tools Used in this RecipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition (displayed with net carbs)

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 220kcal | Protein: 19g | Fat: 16g
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Nutrition DataMacros 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.
5 from 2 votes
Recipe Rating




Sherry

Thursday 7th of November 2024

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.

Sherry

Sunday 24th of November 2024

@staysnatched, Thank you for the explanation. I am a new cook, so need direction often. This will be my Thanksgiving dinner.

staysnatched

Friday 8th of November 2024

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.

Marsha

Friday 18th of August 2023

These were so delicious! Juicy, tender, and full of flavour.

staysnatched

Friday 18th of August 2023

I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

Shadi

Thursday 17th of August 2023

This dish is definitely going to be a showstopper at my next dinner gathering. Thank you for sharing this impressive and delectable recipe!

staysnatched

Thursday 17th of August 2023

You're welcome!