Introduction

This Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad combines tender, flavorful poultry with a vibrant, nutrient-packed salad. It’s an elegant yet easy meal perfect for a cozy dinner or special occasion.

A white plate with a thin gold rim holds a roasted golden-brown chicken resting on top of a colorful salad. The salad underneath has layers of dark green kale, bright orange roasted pumpkin cubes, red apple chunks, white dressing drizzled over, and scattered dried red cranberries and green pumpkin seeds. Next to the chicken and salad is a serving of pale yellow seasoned cauliflower mixed with small bits of red apple. The plate is on a white marbled textured surface with a white and orange autumn leaf patterned napkin to the right holding a gold fork and knife. Above the plate is an amber-colored glass filled with ice, and on the left side are three pumpkin decorations in white with gold stems and one orange pumpkin. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (10.9-ounce) package Fresh Express® Sweet Kale Chopped Kit®
2 cups Chiquita Bites®: Juicy Red Apples, chopped, divided
1 (6-ounce) package stovetop stuffing
4 (20-ounce) Cornish Game Hens
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Step 2: Prepare the stuffing according to package directions. Stir in 1 cup of chopped apples, fluff with a fork, and let cool for 15 minutes.
Step 3: Remove any contents from the Cornish Game Hens’ cavities, rinse with cold water, and pat dry.
Step 4: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Remove from heat.
Step 5: Fill each hen’s cavity with the apple stuffing.
Step 6: Place hens in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, tie legs together, and tuck wings under. Brush hens with the butter mixture.
Step 7: Bake hens for 50 to 60 minutes, basting with butter every 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature of the thigh and stuffing reads 165° F.
Step 8: Meanwhile, toss sweet potatoes with remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan.
Step 9: Bake sweet potatoes in the oven alongside the hens for about 25 minutes until tender, then remove and let cool slightly.
Step 10: Tent the hens with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
Step 11: In a large bowl, combine the greens from the Sweet Kale Chopped Kit, remaining chopped apples, and roasted sweet potatoes. Toss with the included salad dressing and any additional toppings from the kit.
Step 12: Serve the Cornish Game Hens alongside the kale sweet potato salad for a balanced and flavorful meal.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme to the butter mixture before basting the hens.
Substitute quinoa or wild rice for the stovetop stuffing for a gluten-free alternative.
If sweet potatoes aren’t in season, roasted butternut squash or carrots make great substitutes in the salad.
Ensure hens are fully thawed before cooking to promote even roasting and safe internal temperatures.

Storage

Store leftover hens and salad separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the hens gently in a 325° F oven until warmed through to avoid drying out. The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored chilled; toss before serving if separation occurs.

How to Serve

A white plate with a thin gold rim holds three layers of food: on the left side, a colorful salad with dark green kale leaves, bright orange roasted squash cubes, red apple pieces, white cheese cubes, and dark red dried cranberries, all lightly dressed in creamy white sauce; above the salad is a pale beige portion of stuffing with visible bits of diced apple; on the right side, a golden brown roasted half chicken with crispy, spiced skin rests on the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface alongside a gold fork and knife placed on a folded cloth napkin decorated with orange, red, and yellow autumn leaves, and an amber glass filled with ice is nearby. Decorative small white and orange pumpkins are positioned in the top left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the stuffing and chop the apples in advance, but it’s best to stuff and roast the hens just before serving to maintain freshness. The salad should be tossed and served fresh.

What if I don’t have Cornish Game Hens?

Chicken quarters or small whole chickens can be used as substitutes; adjust cooking times accordingly to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature of 165° F.

Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.5 from 742 reviews

This Cornish Game Hen with Kale Sweet Potato Salad recipe features tender, herb-basted game hens roasted to perfection alongside sweet potatoes. Served with a vibrant kale and apple salad tossed in a flavorful dressing, this dish balances savory poultry with fresh, wholesome sides for a complete, delicious meal.

Author: Kai
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

Cornish Game Hens and Stuffing

4 (20-ounce) Cornish Game Hens
1/2 cup butter
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (6-ounce) package stovetop stuffing
1 cup Chiquita Bites®: Juicy Red Apples, chopped, divided

Sweet Potato Kale Salad

1 (10.9-ounce) package Fresh Express® Sweet Kale Chopped Kit®
1 cup Chiquita Bites®: Juicy Red Apples, chopped, divided
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt, to taste
Salad dressing from the Sweet Kale Chopped Kit®

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350° F to prepare for roasting the hens and sweet potatoes.
Prepare the stuffing: Cook the stovetop stuffing according to package directions. Stir in 1 cup of chopped apples and fluff with a fork. Let cool for 15 minutes to prevent wilting the hens.
Prepare the hens: Remove any giblets inside the Cornish game hens, rinse the cavities with cold water, and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
Make the butter seasoning: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper; mix well and then remove from heat.
Stuff the hens: Fill each hen’s cavity with the apple stuffing mixture. Secure legs by tying them together and tuck wings underneath to maintain shape during roasting.
Place and baste hens: Arrange hens in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Baste each hen generously with the butter seasoning mixture.
Roast game hens: Bake the hens for 50 to 60 minutes, basting every 15 to 20 minutes with the butter mixture. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the thigh and the stuffing reach 165° F for safe consumption.
Prepare the sweet potatoes: Toss sweet potato cubes with the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer on a sheet pan.
Roast sweet potatoes: Bake the sweet potatoes alongside the hens in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
Rest the hens: After roasting, tent the hens loosely with foil and allow them to rest for 10 minutes to retain juices.
Assemble the kale sweet potato salad: In a large bowl, add the greens from the Fresh Express® Sweet Kale Chopped Kit®, remaining apples, and roasted sweet potatoes. Toss with the included salad dressing and the kit’s toppings until combined evenly.
Serve: Plate the rested Cornish game hens alongside generous portions of the kale sweet potato salad and enjoy a balanced, flavorful meal.

Notes

Make sure the internal temperature of the hens and stuffing reaches 165° F to ensure food safety.
Resting the hens after roasting allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist meat.
The Sweet Kale Chopped Kit includes dressing and toppings that add texture and flavor to the salad.
Use a meat thermometer for accurate doneness checks rather than relying on time alone.
To save time, you can prepare the stuffing and sweet potatoes simultaneously while roasting the hens.

Keywords: Cornish game hen recipe, roasted game hen, sweet potato salad, kale salad, baked poultry, healthy dinner, apple stuffing, easy holiday meals