Honey Spiced Game Hens

Cornish Game Hens are a delicious alternative to everyday chicken.  When cooked properly they are tender, sweet and juicy and because they are small they cook quickly.  I know that it looks like a giant chicken half on the plate but it’s actually a salad plate in the picture.  Anyhow, this is a delicious one pan meal that has the perfect balance of spice, sweet and sour and from start to finish takes less than an hour .  Also, because it’s made in one aluminum foil lined pan, clean-up is just as quick and easy, a perfect weeknight, or any night meal.  This of course could also be made with chicken pieces if Game Hens aren’t your thing.

Honey Spiced Game Hens 

• 2 Cornish game hens, cut in half (or four pieces of chicken, breasts and/or thigh quarters)
• vegetable oil or oil of your choice
• 1 lb. baby carrots
• 20 cloves fresh garlic
• 1 lb. fresh button mushrooms 
• 2 tsp. granulated garlic powder 
• 2 tsp. dark chili powder 
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder 
• 1/2 tsp. coriander 
• 1 tsp. sea salt 
• 1 tsp. cumin 
• 1/2 tsp. chipotle chili powder  
• 1/2 cup honey 
• 3 TBS apple cider vinegar 

Preheat oven to 450F.  Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.  Add the carrots and whole garlic cloves to the pan.  Drizzle with one Tablespoon of oil and toss to coat well.  In a small bowl combine the garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, coriander, salt, cumin & chipotle chili powder and mix well.  Sprinkle one Tablespoon of the spice mixture onto the carrots and garlic and toss to coat well.  Place the roasting pan into the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once at the 10 minute mark. 

In a microwave safe measuring cup, heat the honey slightly, until runny, and stir in the apple cider vinegar, set aside.

Wash the game hen pieces and pat dry. Drizzle a small amount of oil over the game hens and rub it in with your hands to lightly coat all the pieces. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture over all sides of the game hens.  Once the carrots and garlic have cooked for 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and add the mushrooms, stir to mix all the vegetables.  Place the game hen pieces on top of the vegetables, skin side up and return the pan to the oven.

Bake for 30 minutes.  At the 10 and 20 minute marks, drizzle one Tablespoon of the honey mixture over each of the game hen pieces.  Once plated drizzle a little more of the honey mixture over each piece.

Enjoy!