Go Back
–+ servings
Marry Me Cornish Hens on a white platter with sauces all around them
Print Recipe
4.50 from 4 ratings

Easy Slow Cooker Cornish Hens with Rich Creamy Sauce

This easy Slow Cooker Cornish Hens Recipe is delicious and simple to prepare. Serve it on a fluffy bed of rice smothered in the rich, creamy gravy flavored with sweet sun-dried tomatoes and herbs. The best part is this dinner can be cooked in your crockpot with minimal effort. Yum! Your loved one is sure to enjoy it.
Prep Time20 minutes
3 hours
Total Time3 hours 20 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow Cooker Cornish Hens
Servings: 2 hens
Calories: 2044kcal
Author: Gina Dickson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 cornish hens thaw over night in your refrigerator if you buy them frozen.
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic peeled and finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried
  • 1 teaspoon thyme I like to use one 3-inch fresh sprig of thyme. If you don't have fresh, use 1 teaspoon of dried.
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp red crushed pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes sliced into cubes
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated

Instructions

  • Remove the Cornish hens from the wrapper and rinse well with cold water inside and out. Pat dry with paper towels
    2 cornish hens
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
    3 tbsp olive oil
  • Season chicken generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
    salt, black pepper
  • Sear each breast, sides, and underside of the cornish hens until golden brown. Ensuring you have crispy skin will lock in the cornish chicken's juices while cooking, yielding juicy meat when you serve. This is the secret to moist poultry. It should take about 4 minutes per side. When done browning, place the hens in a slow cooker.
  • Return skillet to medium heat and add garlic, thyme, basil, onion powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute.
    3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp red crushed pepper flakes
  • Next, stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan into the pan. Season to taste with more salt. Bring to a simmer for 2 minutes. Then pour over hens in the slow cooker.
    1/2 cup chicken broth, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • Set the slow cooker on high power or 3 hours or low for 5 hours. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. They are done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Open the lid and allow cornish hens to cool slightly for 5 minutes. Then carefully lift them using a large metal spatula to a serving platter. Drizzle some of the sauce over the hens, about a 1/2 cup. Then place the rest of the sauce in a gravy boat to serve.

Notes

Variations

  • Substitute two cornish hens for one whole chicken. One regular chicken that is medium-sized would equal about three game birds.
  • If you enjoy poultry with cooked wine, substitute white wine for the chicken broth.
  • You could switch out thyme springs for fresh rosemary sprigs.

Nutrition

Serving: 1hen | Calories: 2044kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 96g | Fat: 177g | Saturated Fat: 79g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 19g | Monounsaturated Fat: 67g | Cholesterol: 742mg | Sodium: 974mg | Potassium: 1833mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 4429IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 537mg | Iron: 6mg