Spring Cornish Hen with Kale & Sweet Potato Salad
Cornish game hens make for an elegant springtime meal. Paired with a bright apple stuffing and a hearty sweet potato kale salad, this dish is perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any spring gathering that calls for something fresh, flavorful, and a little bit special.
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
- Heat oven to 350° F.
- Make stuffing according to package directions. Add 1 cup apples and fluff stuffing with a fork; cool for 15 minutes.
- Remove anything inside the hens, rinse cavity with cold water and pat dry.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Remove from heat.
- Fill the cavity of each hen with the apple stuffing.
- Place hens into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Tie legs together and tuck wings under. Baste with the butter mixture.
- Bake for 50 minutes to 60 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165° F; and the stuffing temperature reads 165° F. Baste with butter mixture every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toss the sweet potatoes in a bowl with the remaining Italian seasoning and olive oil. Arrange in a single layer on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with a little salt.
- Bake in the oven with the hens, for 25 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and cool.
- Tent hens with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Place the greens from the Fresh Express® Sweet Kale Chopped Kits® into a large bowl; add the remaining apples and sweet potatoes and mix well. Toss with the salad dressing. Add the toppings; toss to combine.
- Serve the Cornish Game Hens with the sweet potato kale salad.