The Ultimate Wild Rice Stuffed Cornish Hens (Elegant Christmas Dinner!)
Imagine the centerpiece of your Christmas table: beautiful, individual Cornish hens, roasted to a glistening, golden-brown perfection, with a stunning apricot-orange glaze. Now, imagine cutting into one to reveal a treasure trove of savory wild rice stuffing, studded with sweet fruits and fragrant herbs. That, my friends, is the show-stopping magic of this recipe, and it’s the elegant Christmas dinner you’ve been dreaming of.
I promise you, there is no greater host or hostess triumph than presenting these magnificent hens. The stuffing is a symphony of textures—chewy wild rice, tender vegetables, sweet dried apricots and cranberries, and crunchy almonds. The glaze reduces to a sweet, tangy, lacquer that makes the skin unbelievably delicious. It is a true restaurant-worthy experience, made right in your own kitchen.
Get ready to create the most elegant and delicious dinner for Christmas, a meal that will have your guests feeling utterly spoiled and will become a treasured holiday tradition.
Why This Will Be Your Go-To Christmas Entree
You are going to be so incredibly proud to serve this dish. It’s a true labor of love that is worth every moment. Here’s why this recipe is the one:
- Perfectly Portioned & Elegant: Serving individual hens makes every guest feel special and eliminates the fuss of carving a large bird at the table.
- A Symphony of Festive Flavors: The savory wild rice stuffing with sweet dried fruit, fresh herbs, and slivered almonds is the perfect complement to the rich hen and the sweet, tangy apricot-orange glaze.
- A True Holiday Show-Stopper: These golden, glazed hens are breathtakingly beautiful and guaranteed to draw gasps of admiration when you bring them to the table.
- Easier Than It Looks: This guide breaks down the process into simple, manageable steps. The stuffing can even be prepared a day in advance to make Christmas day a breeze!
- Foolproof Juicy Results: The combination of roasting and glazing ensures the hens stay incredibly moist and tender while the skin gets beautifully crisp.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 1 hour |
| Total Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Servings | 6 servings |
| Calories | 1485 kcal per serving (estimated) |
| Course | Entree |
| Cuisine | American |
| Difficulty/Method | Intermediate / Roasting |
Your Shopping List for This Festive Feast
This recipe uses a beautiful combination of fresh and pantry ingredients to create its holiday magic.
→ For the Cornish Hens & Stuffing
- 3 Cornish Game Hens → The beautiful, individual stars of our show.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Butter → For richness and helping the skin to crisp.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper → For seasoning every layer perfectly.
- 3 cups Chicken Stock → Creates a rich, savory base for cooking the rice.
- 2 cups Wild Rice → For that classic, chewy, and nutty stuffing texture.
- 1 shallot & 2 celery stalks → The aromatic vegetable base for our stuffing.
- 4 garlic cloves → Minced, for essential savory depth.
- 3 Tbsp dried cranberries & ½ cup dried apricots → For wonderful bursts of sweet and tart flavor.
- 2 Tbsp slivered almonds → Adds a fantastic, nutty crunch.
- 1 Tbsp each fresh thyme & parsley → Fresh herbs are a must for that authentic holiday aroma.
→ For the Apricot-Orange Glaze
- Juice of ½ an orange + ¼ cup more freshly squeezed orange juice → Provides a bright, citrusy acidity to balance the sweetness.
- 2 Tablespoons Apricot Preserves → The sweet, fruity base of our beautiful glaze.
- 2 Tbsp butter → Adds richness and helps the glaze become glossy.
Let’s Get Roasting! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create a Christmas dinner masterpiece? Let’s break it down into simple, manageable steps.
Part 1: The Flavorful Wild Rice Stuffing
- Cook the Rice: In a covered saucepan, bring the chicken stock, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper to a boil. Add the wild rice, stir once, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 45 minutes (or according to package directions) without lifting the lid.
- Steam and Fluff: Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for 10 more minutes to steam. Uncover, fluff the rice with a fork, and let it cool slightly.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a separate skillet over medium heat, melt 1 Tbsp. butter with 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Add the diced shallot, celery, and minced garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Combine the Stuffing: Add the cooked vegetables to the wild rice. Gently stir in the chopped dried cranberries, apricots, slivered almonds, fresh thyme, and parsley. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed. It should be boldly flavored!
Part 2: Prepare and Stuff the Hens
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the game hens completely dry with paper towels (this is key for crispy skin!). Rub them all over with olive oil and place them on a roasting rack set inside a large roasting pan. Season them generously on all sides and inside the cavities with salt and pepper.
- Divide and Stuff: Divide your finished rice stuffing in half. Set one half aside for serving later (this prevents cross-contamination). Loosely spoon a few large spoonfuls of the other half into each game hen. Don’t pack it in too tightly!
Part 3: The Glorious Glaze & Roasting
- Initial Roast: Place the hens in the preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes.
- Make the Glaze: While the hens are roasting, combine the orange juice, apricot preserves, and 2 Tbsp. of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth. Turn off the heat.
- Glaze and Finish Roasting: After 30 minutes, carefully brush the glorious glaze all over the hens. Return them to the oven and roast for another 30 minutes, basting with more glaze every 10-15 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: The hens are done when the skin is deep golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (not touching bone) reads at least 165°F. If the skin gets too dark before they’re cooked, lightly tent the tops with foil.
- Serve: Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving. You can cut them in half lengthwise to beautifully display the stuffing. Serve with the extra wild rice on the side.
Elegant Wild Rice Stuffed Cornish Hens with Apricot Glaze
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the game hens completely dry, rub with olive oil, and place on a roasting rack. Season all sides and inside the cavity with salt and pepper.
- To make the stuffing, bring chicken stock, salt, and pepper to a boil in a saucepan. Add wild rice, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 45 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- In a skillet, melt butter and oil over medium heat. Sauté the shallot, celery, and garlic for 8 minutes until softened. Add this to the cooked wild rice.
- Stir the dried cranberries, apricots, almonds, thyme, and parsley into the rice. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Divide the stuffing mixture in half, reserving one half for serving.
- Loosely stuff each game hen with the other half of the rice mixture.
- Roast the game hens for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, bring the orange juice, apricot preserves, and butter to a simmer, stirring to combine. Turn off the heat.
- After 30 minutes of roasting, brush the glaze over the hens. Roast for another 30 minutes, basting with more glaze every 10-15 minutes, until a thermometer reads at least 165°F in the thigh. Tent with foil if they brown too quickly.
- Let the hens rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with the reserved stuffing.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Holiday Success
These are my non-negotiable secrets for ensuring your Cornish hens are absolutely perfect.
- Pat the Skin Bone-Dry. I cannot stress this enough. Using paper towels to get the skin as dry as possible before rubbing with oil is the number one secret to achieving that perfectly crisp, golden-brown skin everyone loves.
- Don’t Overstuff the Hens. Stuff the cavities loosely! This allows hot air to circulate, ensuring that both the hen and the stuffing cook through evenly and safely.
- A Meat Thermometer is Your Best Friend. It is the only way to guarantee perfectly cooked, juicy meat that is also food-safe. Take the guesswork out of it and cook to temperature, not just time.
- Divide the Stuffing for Safety. The recipe’s tip to divide the stuffing is brilliant. It prevents the serving stuffing from ever touching raw poultry, ensuring it’s completely safe to serve to your guests.
- Let the Hens Rest! After roasting, let the hens rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting into them. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a much more tender and flavorful hen.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Holiday Leftovers
Leftovers from this meal are a true treat. Here’s how to store them properly.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, store leftover hens and the extra stuffing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, you can place the hens and stuffing in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes, until heated through. You can also microwave them for a quicker option.
FAQs: Your Cornish Hen Questions, Answered!
Can I make the stuffing a day ahead of time?
Yes, and it’s a great time-saver! Prepare the wild rice stuffing completely, let it cool, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just stuff the hens right before you’re ready to roast them.
My hens are browning too quickly on top. What should I do?
This is a common issue! Simply create a small “tent” out of aluminum foil and lightly place it over the breasts of the hens. This will shield them from the direct heat and prevent them from getting too dark while the rest of the hen finishes cooking.
Can I use a different kind of stuffing?
Absolutely. A classic bread-based stuffing would also be delicious. Just be aware that cooking times might vary slightly, so always rely on your meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Is one hen per person too much?
Since this recipe calls for 3 hens for 6 servings, the intention is to serve half a hen per person. This is typically a very generous and satisfying portion, especially with the rich stuffing and any other side dishes you serve.
Final Thoughts: Your Most Elegant Christmas Dinner
There is no greater feeling than presenting a meal that is as beautiful as it is delicious, especially during the holidays. These Wild Rice Stuffed Cornish Hens are a true celebration on a plate, a special dish that shows love and care. I hope this recipe helps you create a stunning and memorable Christmas dinner for you and your loved ones. Happy Holidays!
