Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes
9 Comments Aug 13, 2021
Updated Dec 14, 2022
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Make a complete meal in the slow cooker with this one-of-a-kind recipe for Cornish game hens and baked potatoes. All you need to do is top your baked potatoes when you get home!
Another recipe I have that is similar to this one and is a must-try is meatloaf and baked potatoes. I can’t get enough baked potatoes on my menu!
Table of Contents
- Why This Recipe Works
- What is a cornish game hen?
- How to make Cornish Game Hens in the Slow Cooker
- How to prep
- Can I use a different cut of chicken?
- Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
- Varitaions:
- FAQs
- Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes Recipe
- More complete meals for the slow cooker
This idea is from a sweet lady I met at one of my book signings (many moons ago). She mentioned that she often made Cornish game hens and large russet potatoes together in the slow cooker. All she had to do when she got home was serve and enjoy! Thank you to the mystery woman I met for this WONDERFUL recipe idea.
Why This Recipe Works
- This quick and easy recipe for crockpot cornish hens with baked potatoes is the perfect size for a meal with minimal prep.
- This meal makes for a great holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve. It also makes a nice at-home date night dinner.
- Making these hens and potatoes in the crock pot is a great way to make dinner in the morning and have it ready when you get home! Add baked potato toppings like sour cream, cheese, bacon bits etc., and you have an amazing meal that seems like you’ve been in the kitchen all day.
What is a cornish game hen?
- Cornish game hens are in fact a chicken, though they a specific breed and are butchered earlier than standard chickens.
- They contain less fat and calories than standard chicken.
- These are not wild birds and don’t have a gamey flavor. Cornish hens taste just like chicken.
- You can find cornish game hens in the freezer section of your store. (BE SURE TO THAW BEFORE USING THIS RECIPE).
How to make Cornish Game Hens in the Slow Cooker
- Cornish game hens – Make sure that they are thawed completely, which takes about 36 hours in the fridge.
- Russet potatoes – Choose medium-sized potatoes so they will cook evenly, making sure they are scrubbed and dried. You can use baby potatoes if that’s all you have on hand.
- Lemon – You will need the juice of half of a fresh lemon. Do not use squeeze bottle lemon juice for it can taste like chemicals in recipes.
- Spices – Paprika, basil, ground pepper, sea salt. Try smoked paprika for a smokey flavor.
- Olive oil – This is drizzled over the potaotes to keep them moist and help salt and pepper stick to them while cooking.
How to prep
Before you begin cooking, the following need to be done:
- Defrost the game hens, this usually takes about 36 hours in the fridge.
- Remove the game hens from their packaging.
- Rinse them under cold water to remove any debris from their insides and any stuck pieces of ice.
- Pat the game hens dry with paper towels.
- Place Cornish game hens breast side up in crock pot that has been lightly coated with olive oil.
- Squeeze over a half a lemon over the chickens.
- Sprinkle over paprkia, salt, pepper and basil.
- Add the potatoes to the slow cooker. See how I tucked them in around the corners of the chicken, so the lid will fit?
- Drizzle the potatoes with olive oil and add a touch of salt and pepper to them for good measure.
- Cook on LOW for 7 hours or until the chicken is cooked and the potatoes are tender.
Can I use a different cut of chicken?
- Yes, you can substitute bone-in chicken thighs or breasts for the Cornish game hens. Follow the recipe the same, cooking until it is fully cooked and falls off the bone.
- You an also do a whole chicken, but make sure it is a very small one, in the 4-5 pound range or the potaotes will not fit on top.
Can I use sweet potatoes instead of russet potatoes?
- If baked potatoes aren’t on your list of favorites, you can use sweet potatoes instead.
- If you are doing low carb, you can add green beans during the last hour of cooking instead of adding potaotes.
- You can also serve a nice side salad and some rolls to round out the meal.
Varitaions:
- Cajun – You can add cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder to make this dish Cajun. Or use a cajun spice blend such as Tony Chachures Creole Blend (omit the salt from the recipe, this blend can be VERY salty).
- Garlic herb – Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic over the cornish hens along with the original recipe.
- Barbecue – brush barbecue sauce over the done cooking slow cooker cornish hen for a completely different meal.
FAQs
Cornish game hens should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also tell if your hens are done if your meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear. The slow cooker usually cooks things past the point of doneness and makes for very tender chicken.
It is important to thaw the game hens before cooking. The chicken needs to be thawed to ensure they cook properly and get done simultaneously with the potatoes. Be sure to plan ahead for this slow cooker cornish hens recipe.
Do not add water or chicken broth to this recipe. The game hens will produce their own liquid to keep the recipe moist.
No, it does not. Sprinkling the chicken with paprika will give the chicken some color. You can brown the skin after cooking under the broiler in the oven if desired. (Be sure that your slow cooker insert is oven safe before doing this).
This recipe will work with or without foil. Since it works without and the potatoes don’t get soggy, I skip that step.
I hope you enjoyed this easy recipe. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t take much time or effort but feels extremely special. So don’t be afraid to treat yourself and your family to this delicious meal any night of the week.
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Slow Cooker Cornish Game Hens and Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 3 Cornish game hens, THAWED – this takes about 36 hours in the fridge
- 3 medium-sized russet potatoes, washed and dried
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp. sea salt, (plus more for potatoes)
- 1/4 tsp. ground pepper, (plus more for potatoes)
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. basil
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
Suggesting serving items:
- toppings for baked potatoes such as butter, sour cream, chives and bacon bits.
Instructions
- NOTE – THE GAME HENS NEED TO BE THAWED COMPLETELY. This takes about 36 hours in the fridge.
- Remove the game hens from their packaging. Rinse them under cold water to remove any debris from their insides and any stuck pieces of ice.
- Pat the game hens dry with paper towels.
- Add the game hens breast up to the slow cooker.
- Squeeze the lemon over the game hens.
- Sprinkle them with the 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, paprika and basil. Be sure to sprinkle the paprika over evenly, this will keep the hens from looking pale after cooking.
- Add the russet potatoes on top, I tuck the potatoes in the empty spaces around the chicken. (no need to pierce the potaotes with a fork)
- Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes. Sprinkle the potatoes with a touch of salt and pepper.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook for 7 hours on low. DO NOT OPEN THE LID DURING THE COOKING TIME. Check to see if the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender before serving. Cook for an additional hour if your potatoes aren't tender, for every slow cooker cooks slightly different.
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Cajun – You can add cayenne pepper, onion and garlic powder to make this dish Cajun. Or use a cajun spice blend such as Tony Chachures Creole Blend (omit the salt from the recipe, this blend can be VERY salty).
- Garlic herb – Add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic over the game hens along with the original recipe.
- Barbecue – brush barbecue sauce over the done cooking game hens for a completely different meal.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
This Cornish game hen receipe with potatoes was delish!! I had not made Cornish Game hens for a long time but this receipe will make me try it again sooner than later…
I really enjoy cooking in my crockpot..The magical slow cooker makes it so easy too..
It was just my husband & I and we got 3 meals from this!!!
Instead of Lemon, I use freshly squeezed orange juice, ginger, two cloves of garlic riced, soy sauce, a little Worstershire…and Gran Marnier. I’ll sometimes drop the orange rinds in with it.
Can’t wait to try.
Made this today. Used some minced garlic and spread it on the tops of the hens with the other ingredients.
4 to 4 and a half hours on high was fine to cook potatoes and hens till juices ran clear.
My verdict on this was just meh. Taste was fine although not stellar. And there is just not enough meat on those little ole bitty hens to make it worthwhile. lol
I doubt I will bother with it again to be honest.
Can this be cooked on high for 4 hours in a time crunch?
Yes, just make sure the chicken is cooked through.
4 to 4 and a half hours on high was fine to cook potatoes and hens till juices ran clear.
I made today and the 4 hour on high mark is fine.
Meat fell off the bones and potatoes were easily cut like smooth butter.
Hello Sarah! I love Cornish hen and I am very lucky that El Corte Ingles (super big store) has them fresh, I consume them a lot. We’re close to Morocco so sometimes I give it a twist and stuff it with soy vermicelli noodles, Moroccan pickled lemon, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and lots of coriander – it’s a really wonderful Arabic twist. give it a try if you feel like it. Thanks for sharing and take care of yourself. Greetings from Spain
This looks great! It’s a keeper.