Zesty Teriyaki Cornish Hens with Bok Choy Recipe for Dinner Joy

Succulent teriyaki cornish hens dance with vibrant bok choy in a meal that promises pure culinary delight.

Crisp vegetables complement tender poultry in this classic Asian-inspired dish.

Marinating brings deep, rich flavors to every tender bite.

Simple ingredients combine to create something magical on your plate.

Each morsel tells a story of careful preparation and thoughtful seasoning.

Fragrant herbs and savory sauce will transport you to a cozy kitchen with international flair.

Come explore this delectable recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Why You’ll Love These Teriyaki Cornish Hens

• Craft a Flavorful Feast: This teriyaki Cornish hen recipe transforms a simple dinner into a gourmet experience with minimal kitchen effort.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable ingredients like adjusting chile pepper heat or swapping grapefruit allow personalization for different taste preferences.
• Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Professional-level dish delivers complex Asian-inspired flavors without requiring advanced culinary skills, making home cooking exciting and impressive.
• Quick Weeknight Transformation: One-pan method with straightforward techniques turns ordinary poultry into a stunning meal that looks like it took hours to prepare.

Teriyaki Cornish Hens Ingredients Rundown

• Cornish Hens: Tender small birds perfect for individual servings with rich flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Creates a sweet and savory teriyaki-style coating for the hens.
• Vinegar: Adds tangy complexity to the sauce.
• Ginger: Provides warm, spicy undertone to the sauce.

• Chile Pepper, Scallions: Adds heat and fresh onion-like flavor to the dish.
• Grapefruit: Contributes bright citrus notes and zesty freshness.
• Sesame Oil, Sesame Seeds: Introduces nutty, aromatic Asian-inspired flavor profile.

• Bok Choy: Crisp green vegetable that provides a light, fresh side to the rich hens.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall dish flavors.

Cooking Cornish Hens with Bok Choy—Simplified

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Hens

Crank up your oven to a toasty 425°F. Generously sprinkle salt and pepper over the Cornish hens.

Position them skin-side up in a roasting pan, allowing the skin to crisp beautifully for about 25 minutes.

Step 2: Craft Teriyaki Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Hoisin sauce
• Vinegar
• Fresh ginger
• Chile pepper
• Water

Slice half the scallions into chunky pieces.

Zest and juice half a grapefruit, adding to the pot. Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until it transforms into a thick, glossy syrup (around 20 minutes).

Step 3: Glaze and Continue Roasting

Generously brush the hens with a few spoonfuls of the teriyaki sauce. Return to the oven and roast until the hens turn a gorgeous golden brown, approximately 8 more minutes.

Step 4: Assemble Bok Choy Salad

• Peeling and segmenting the remaining grapefruit half
• Thinly slicing remaining scallions
• Mincing the additional chile pepper

Combine these ingredients in a bowl with bok choy, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

Plate half a hen per serving.

Stir any pan drippings into the remaining sauce and drizzle over the top. Accompany with the zesty bok choy salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final flourish.

Tips for Juicy Teriyaki Hens Every Time

• Select smaller Cornish hens for more even cooking and crispier skin.
• Pat the hens completely dry before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness and better sauce adherence.
• Reduce sauce on low heat to concentrate flavors and prevent burning, watching carefully during the last few minutes.
• Balance the teriyaki glaze by adjusting sweetness with a touch of honey or brown sugar if needed.
• Swap bok choy with other leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for dietary variations or personal preference.

Teriyaki Hens with a Creative Spin

• Ginger Citrus Cornish Hens: Replace hoisin sauce with orange marmalade, add extra ginger, and use mandarin oranges instead of grapefruit for a sweeter, zingier profile.
• Spicy Asian Fusion Hens: Increase chile peppers, add sriracha sauce to the teriyaki glaze, incorporate lemongrass, and serve with a quick pickled vegetable slaw.
• Honey Soy Cornish Hens: Swap hoisin for honey, include rice wine vinegar, add five-spice powder, and garnish with toasted almonds for extra crunch.
• Herb-Infused Mediterranean Hens: Substitute teriyaki sauce with olive oil, fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest, serving alongside roasted Mediterranean vegetables.

Sides That Shine with Teriyaki Cornish Hens

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Choose a slightly sweet German Riesling that balances the teriyaki's savory notes and complements the grapefruit's citrusy brightness.
• Create Asian-Inspired Cocktail Companion: Mix a ginger-infused sake martini with a splash of fresh grapefruit juice to echo the recipe's flavor profile and enhance the meal's Asian undertones.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Prepare a light, fragrant jasmine rice pilaf studded with toasted sesame seeds and scallion greens to soak up the teriyaki sauce and provide a perfect textural contrast.
• Match with Green Tea: Brew a smooth, slightly grassy sencha green tea that cuts through the richness of the Cornish hen and cleanses the palate between bites.

Store and Reheat These Hens the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover Cornish hens in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring they are completely cooled before sealing.
• Freezing: Wrap individual hens tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, keeping the bok choy salad separate.
• Reheating Oven: Warm hens at 325°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes, covered with foil to prevent drying. Drizzle reserved teriyaki sauce before serving to restore moisture.
• Microwave Option: Heat hens on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping midway to check temperature and prevent overcooking. Add a splash of water or sauce to maintain juiciness.

FAQs About Teriyaki Cornish Hens with Bok Choy

• What makes teriyaki sauce different from other Asian sauces?

Teriyaki sauce combines soy sauce, vinegar, and sweeteners like hoisin, creating a unique glossy, sweet-savory flavor profile that caramelizes beautifully when cooked.

• Can I substitute Cornish hens with another protein?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs or whole chicken, though cooking times will vary. Adjust roasting time based on the protein’s size and thickness.

• How do I know when the Cornish hens are fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the meat, ensuring it’s safe to eat while remaining juicy.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The recipe uses chile pepper, which adds mild heat.

Teriyaki Cornish Hens with Bok Choy Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent teriyaki Cornish hens shine with Asian-inspired elegance, delivering bold flavors straight from your kitchen. Crisp bok choy and glossy teriyaki glaze make this dish a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Poultry:

• 2 Cornish game hens (about 1.5 pounds / 680 grams each), halved

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hoisin sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1 piece (2 inches / 5 centimeters) ginger, peeled and sliced

Aromatics and Vegetables:

• 2 small red chile peppers, halved
• 1 bunch scallions
• 1 grapefruit, halved
• 1 medium head bok choy, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) sesame seeds, toasted

Seasoning:

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F, preparing a roasting pan for the Cornish hens. Generously season the poultry with salt and pepper, positioning them skin-side upward.
2. Create the teriyaki glaze by combining soy sauce, hoisin, vinegar, ginger, and chile pepper in a saucepan. Add water and grapefruit zest and juice. Simmer the mixture for approximately 20 minutes until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency.
3. Roast the hens for 25 minutes until the skin turns crisp and golden. Carefully brush the poultry with several tablespoons of the prepared teriyaki sauce.
4. Continue roasting for an additional 8 minutes, ensuring the hens are thoroughly cooked and the glaze caramelizes beautifully.
5. While the hens roast, prepare the accompanying salad by peeling and segmenting the remaining grapefruit. Slice scallions and mince additional chile pepper.
6. Toss the bok choy with grapefruit segments, sliced scallions, minced chile, and sesame oil. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
7. Plate the roasted hens, drizzling the remaining teriyaki sauce mixed with pan drippings over the top. Serve alongside the fresh bok choy salad and sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final flourish.

Notes

• Swap cornish hens for chicken thighs or drumsticks if preferred, maintaining similar cooking time and temperature.
• Reduce sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and cutting sauce concentration by half.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting hoisin sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• Balance heat levels by removing chile pepper seeds for milder flavor or adding extra chile for spice enthusiasts.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 53 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg