This holiday season, I'm switching things up a bit. I'm hosting a cozy gathering with just my immediate family, complete with matching pajamas! There will also be delicious food, of course. This year, instead of the traditional ham or turkey, I'm serving up Cornish hens with chorizo cornbread stuffing! There's nothing more show-stopping that plating a whole roasted Cornish hen, it makes an ordinary meal feel super special, and even a little luxurious.
This delicious recipe features whole roasted Cornish hens, seasoned with a smoky, garlicky spice blend, and a scrumptious chorizo cornbread stuffing - it's a perfect holiday meal to make when if you're not planning a grand holiday feast, or just want to make an elegant dinner for two at home.
What Is A Cornish Hen?
A Cornish is a particular breed of chicken. Traditional Cornish hens are female Cornish chickens. The Cornish hens available in grocery stores are actually a hybridized breed of bird developed especially for commercial production. they usually weigh about 2 pounds and because of this, they're perfect for a single serving.
What Kind Of Chorizo Do You Use?
This recipe calls for Mexican chorizo, which is found in the refrigerator section of your supermarket. It's a pork based sausage that is spiced with whole pepper grains, cinnamon, , and other spices, which produce its characteristic deep red color. Mexican chorizo must be cooked before eating, unlike Spanish style chorizo which is dried and cured, so it's shelf stable. You can even use vegan chorizo and make my Vegan Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing!
Can I Use Regular Bread Instead of Cornbread for the Stuffing?
Absolutely! This recipe is super customizable, so the sky is the limit. You can use storebought or homemade cornbread, or any day old bread that's drying out. I've made this recipe with day old loaves of French bread, and it was delicious! Any bread would work, except maybe cinnamon swirl bread. I'd steer clear of that option.
What To Serve With Cornish Hens?
You can serve Cornish Hens with the same type of side dishes that you'd serve with chicken. Here are some side dish recipes from Delish D'Lites that we think you'll love!