What Is the Difference Between a Chicken and a Cornish Hen? (2024)

FAQs

What Is the Difference Between a Chicken and a Cornish Hen? ›

Cornish Hens Tastier And More Tender

Taste. To most people, the taste gap between Cornish hen and chicken is negligible. While some think chicken has a stronger flavor, others maintain that you can't tell a difference. The conclusion: You'll have to try each one for yourself to determine which side you land on.

The current official definition of a Cornish hen is as follows: A “Rock Cornish game hen” or “Cornish game hen” is a young, immature chicken (less than 5 weeks of age), of either sex, with a ready-to-cook carcass weight of not more than 2 pounds.

Cornish hens are known to have a more delicate flavor than chicken, and they absorb marinades and other seasonings better. Because of their small size, they take a shorter amount of time to cook. So be sure to keep an eye on your roasted Cornish hen when it's in the oven.

Why are Cornish hens so expensive? Part of the price is due to its decades-old reputation as an exotic new bird (though it really isn't). It's been marketed as a fancy alternative to chicken and so manufacturer's can get away with charging such a steep price.

Flavor and Texture

Chicken is known for its tender and mild flavor, making it versatile for various cooking methods. On the contrary, hen tends to have a richer and more intense flavor due to its age.

An elegant main course that is deceptively easy to cook, Cornish hens are perfectly portioned to feed one person per bird.

They cost more than regular chicken, but as splurges go, it's a cheap thrill. Aside from the diminutive size, their most notable trait is the tenderness of their meat, and the way it can accommodate a lemony marinade or quickly absorb the flavors of a spice rub.

“Cornish” is a much more appropriate name because the breed was created in Cornwall, England, and isn't from India. The Dark variety Cornish breed was the first recognized as an American Poultry Association standard breed. Other varieties were later recognized: White in 1898; White-Laced Red in 1909; and Buff in 1938.

One of the primary contributors to tough chicken meat is the age of the bird at the time of slaughter, Knight said. “As the [bird] gets older the muscle fibers become tough,” he said. “So a 2-year-old hen or 3-year-old farm rooster is going to be tough.”

Are Cornish hens white or dark meat? ›

The Cornish were developed in the shire (county) of Cornwall, England where the breed was known as "Indian Game". They show the obvious influence of Malay and other oriental blood. They were prized for their large proportion of white meat and its fine texture.

Although they are called “hens” and sometimes also referred to as Cornish game hens, Cornish hens are neither necessarily female (they can be male too), nor are they game birds. Cornish hens are fancier, more delicately flavored, and more tender than chicken.

What To Serve With Cornish Hens. I like to serve my roasted hens with a side of potatoes, rice or mac and cheese. You can never go wrong with a salad or green veggie to round out the meal. Stovetop Mac and Cheese: Make this ultra creamy mac and cheese while your birds are cooking away in the oven.

Cornish game hen (also Rock Cornish game hen) is the USDA-approved name for a particular variety of broiler chicken, produced from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chicken breeds, that is served young and immature, weighing no more than two pounds (900 g) ready to cook.

The sluggish economy has dampened Cornish hen sales both domestically and internationally, said Gary Mickelson, Tyson spokesman. As a result, Tyson reduced production at its Randall Road processing plant in Springdale to balance supply with demand.

$7.00. Each cornish game hen weighs about 1.5lbs-2.5lbs.

Because of their small size, Cornish hens are perfect as a serving for one person or split in half when served with some delicious sides. I love pairing this easy roasted Cornish hen recipe with my Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes; Italian Oven Roasted Vegetables; or Brussels sprouts... Lots more ideas below!

Although Cornish chickens are not among the beautiful breeds of chickens, they are unique in their own ways. Cornish chickens are excellent meat birds with their extremely large breasts, and they can provide a large amount of tender and flavorful meat.

Cornish hens are simply a particular breed of chicken. Sometimes referred to as Cornish game hens as well, this variety of chicken is much smaller than the standard chickens we usually see sold in grocery stores. They are typically 1 – 2 lbs each. The flavor isn't much different than a regular chicken, either.