What kind of chicken is a game hen?

What kind of chicken is a game hen?

Rock Cornish game hen
Cornish game hen (also Rock Cornish game hen) is the USDA-approved name for a particular variety of broiler chicken, produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds, that is served young and immature, weighing no more than two pounds (900 g) ready to cook.

What is a game hen?

From what I can find poking around the internet, game hens are a subset of chickens that were originally bred for cockfighting. There are thousands of chicken breeds throughout the world, and those breeds that were produced for cockfighting were called game hens.

Why is it called a game hen?

But the name is a bit of a misnomer, because they’re neither Cornish nor game birds. Afterward, Makowsky decided to try cross-breeding various chicken and game birds, and ended up creating the Cornish game hen, a combination of Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chickens. The new breed quickly became a hit.

Whats the difference between a chicken and a game hen?

The main difference between Cornish game hens and chickens is their size. When fully matured, game hens are the same size as broiler chickens, but the former is slaughtered younger, at around 2 lb. (900 g). As a result, they are more tender when cooked and are generally more expensive.

What does Cornish game hen taste like?

The tender meat of the Cornish hen has a subtle, more delicate flavor than that of a regular chicken, although the taste is still distinctly “chicken-y”. Like a regular chicken, Cornish hens are pink when they are raw, and golden brown and crispy on the outside when roasted.

What do Cornish hens taste like?

What do Cornish game hens taste like?

Are Cornish game hens white meat?

Since they are comprised of primarily white meat, Cornish hens are very lean and rich in niacin, which can help lower cholesterol and boost brain function.

How long does it take to cook a Cornish Game Hen?

Cooking Times for Cornish Game Hens. In general, roast game hens in a 450 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest breast meat registers 155 F. After you pull the chicken from the oven, tent it with foil and let it rest, undisturbed for at least 10 minutes to let the temperature come up another 5 to 10 degrees.

Can you buy Cornish Game Hen at the grocery store?

You can use Cornish game hen for almost any recipe that calls for bone-in chicken, but it does particularly well butterflied and grilled or roasted whole, either stuffed or not. Cornish game hen can be purchased at almost any grocery store that sells poultry as well as butcher shops and specialty food stores.

Why is a game hen better than a regular chicken?

Because of its small size, the game hen cooks through more quickly than a standard chicken. This actually makes it easier to achieve crispy skin and properly cooked meat simultaneously. And the fatty skin naturally bastes the meat, keeping it moist as it cooks.

What is the difference between Cornish Game Hen and broiler chicken?

Cornish game hen is the smallest of the commercial chicken family at between 1 and 2 pounds and less than five weeks old. The next step up is a broiler-fryer at about seven weeks old and 2.5 to 4.5 pounds. There is a great difference between the two, both in terms of taste and the texture of the meat.