These Brined Cornish Hens are seriously juicy and delicious! If you’ve never brined anything before, trying it on smaller birds like these is a great way to start.

Have you ever brined anything before? I hadn’t, until I was in search of a method to make Cornish hens juicy and delicious. Ladies and gentlemen, this will take a bit more effort than just sticking the birds in the oven, but you will be rewarded with a succulent dish, not something all sad and dried out.

Before you even contemplate making this recipe, there is one thing you must do. (Cue Mission Impossible music.) You must locate a container, such as a large pot, which can amply hold two birds and still fit in the fridge. Have you got one? Then you, my friends, will have something lovely to serve during this month of lovely-food-serving. Please read all instructions before you begin.
This recipe would be lovely with AIP Mashed Potatoes and a green salad.
We’re about to deep dive folks. COURAGE!
💗,
Wendi
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Sounds delicious! I have 2 questions though – what do you mean when you say ‘cut up the center of each breast?’ I understand cutting along the back bone – does it stay attached to one side or do you remove it completely? Thanks!
Hi, Lizanne! Cut right up the center of the breast. Don’t remove. 😀
Oops. I just realized that I didn’t answer the second question. You can leave the backbone attached on one side. It’s not necessary to remove it. As for the breast, cut right through the center of it. You’ll have part of the breastbone on each side.
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How critical is the brining? I am accustomed to brining but unfortunately, I am suffering from MCAS in addition to Hashimoto’s and would not be able to let the hens sit for more than an hour due to histamines building up. 🙁
Hi there! Ack, I’m sorry about the histamine buildup. I have not tried brining for a shorter amount of time, but certainly there are other ways to cook the hens! There’s probably a lovely way to bake them, maybe with some lemon and herbs(?). For this recipe, though, brining is the key. Happy weekend! -Wendi