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Home » Course » Dinner

Christmas Dinner: Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing

By: Kita · Published Dec 21, 2011 · Updated: Jan 9, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links

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Christmas dinner at its finest includes making Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing. Elegant, but incredibly easy to make, and gorgeous, too.

Christmas dinner at its finest includes making Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing. Elegant, but incredibly easy to make, and gorgeous, too. | PassTheSushi.com

Christmas wouldn't be the same (in this modern world of ours) without Christmas dinner and the specials on TV. I love finding the same classic movies on over and over again, starting around Thanksgiving. Nothing quite makes you smile like the distant hum of all the Whos down in Whoville, or when Linus gives his Christmas monologue. That is the meaning of Christmas, Charlie Brown.

So what do Christmas specials have to do with food? Not a whole lot. But, these Cornish hens reminded me of the humble Christmas dinner that Bob Cratchit served to his family. That's another Christmas classic my dad would always watch late at night, after everyone was in bed, and he stayed up making sure all the presents looked just so.

Cornish game hens are the perfect portion for a small family/friends get together for the holidays. And they cook faster than a big roasted turkey. The pomegranate-rice stuffing is an interesting take on traditional stuffing and really dressing thins up a bit.

I hope your Christmas dinner is magically perfect.

Christmas dinner at its finest includes making Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing. Elegant, but incredibly easy to make, and gorgeous, too. | PassTheSushi.com

Holiday meals can become quite the extravagant feasts. If you are looking to fill yours out a little, try these recipes! So Good!

Home-Style Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans
Slow Cooker Rum Soaked Fig Cranberry Sauce
Double Cheddar Biscuits

If you’ve tried my Cornish Game Hens with Pomegranate-Rice stuffing recipe or any other recipe on passthesushi.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also follow along for more good eats and travel tips on Instagram @passthesushi & @girlcarnivore, Twitter & Facebook.

Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing

Christmas dinner at its finest includes making Glazed Cornish Hens with Pomegranate-Rice Stuffing. Elegant, but incredibly easy to make, and gorgeous, too.
4.59 from 17 votes
Print Pin Rate
American
Author: Kita Roberts
2 hrs 20 mins
Serves: 4 Game Hens

Ingredients

  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 4 Cornish hens - about 1 ¼ pounds each, rinsed and dried
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cups wild rice blend - I used a box of Uncle Bill’s Wild Rice blend without the seasoning package.
  • 6 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 large shallot - minced
  • 1 clove garlic - minced
  • ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ cup pomegranate seeds - plus more for serving*
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley - plus sprigs for serving
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro - plus sprigs for serving
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ¾ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

Instructions

  • Mix the cinnamon, 4 teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon pepper in a bowl; sprinkle all over the hens and inside the cavities.
  • Place the hens on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate, uncovered, at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Bring the chicken broth and 2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan; add the rice blend and cook as the label directs. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot, garlic, ginger and cumin and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat; add the cooked rice, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley and cilantro; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the egg yolks and stir to combine.

Make the glaze:

  • Bring the orange juice and pomegranate molasses to a boil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, about 5 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter.

Stuff the Hens:

  • Fill the cavity of each hen with about ½ cup of the rice mixture (reserve the rest); tie the legs together with twine. 
  • Roast 20 minutes, then brush with the pomegranate glaze.
  • Continue roasting, glazing every 10 minutes, until a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F to 170 degrees F, 1 hour to 1 hour, 10 minutes. (Rotate the hens halfway through cooking; if the skin gets too dark, cover loosely with foil.)
  • Spoon the reserved rice into a pie dish, sprinkle with water and cover with foil.
  • After the hens have roasted about 20 minutes, transfer the rice to the oven and cook until heated through, about 45 minutes. Keep an eye it because it goes for browning to dark brown in a matter of moments as evident by my pics.
  • Transfer the hens to a platter and add some parsley and cilantro sprigs and pomegranate seeds.

Notes

*I got enough seeds from one pomegranate to use for the rice and to serve. To remove the seeds, cut the pomegranate in half over a paper towel and in a bowl of cool water, rub your thumbs over the seeds to extract them, as seen in this video.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 559kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 284mg | Sodium: 227mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Now that Christmas dinner is taken care of...

Photobucket

Exciting News! Today I bring the cookies to Katrina's Kitchen! Please go check out my Grasshopper Pie Cookies on her site. I can't tell you how excited I am to be featured on Katrina's site and how much fun it was coming up with this cookie recipe for her cookie exchange. I would love for you to go over and check out my recipe and all the other wonderful cookie recipes my foodie friends have been sharing all month on Katrina's site.

More Dinner

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  • Seafood Scampi Pasta using Angel Hair
  • Lasagna Fritta {Copycat Olive Garden Recipe}

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  1. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:30 am

    wow, that looks SOOO goood. can you come over to my house and make me xmas dinner? ;P

    my favorite christmas special is the charlie brown christmas. i haven't watched it in YEARS but i like that it's still on tv every year for the younger generations to enjoy. heck, i don't even think MY generation grew up with charlie brown.

    Reply
  2. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:32 am

    i am a facebook fan!

    Reply
  3. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:32 am

    i am an email subscriber

    Reply
  4. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:33 am

    i follow you on twitter as @whmsicalcupcake

    Reply
  5. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:33 am

    i tweeted this giveaway!

    https://twitter.com/#!/whmsicalcupcake/status/149452331434512384

    Reply
  6. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:36 am

    i subscribe to rss via google reader

    Reply
  7. Jeannette says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:37 am

    and "i like it" on stumbleupon!! merry christmas!!

    Reply
  8. Liz says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:38 am

    What stunning Cornish hens!!! Perfect for any celebration. And such a great giveaway, too!

    I'm only going to enter once since I own that great cookbook...but I do follow you everywhere :)....and will stumble your post! My favorite holiday special is The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! Merry Christmas, my friend.

    Reply
  9. Leah Castle says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:41 am

    My favorite special is Home Alone. Does that count??? I love that movie

    Reply
  10. Evelyn R says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:46 am

    My favorite holiday special is the classic Charlie Brown Christmas.

    Reply
  11. Evelyn R says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:50 am

    I like Pass the Sushi on Facebook

    Reply
  12. Evelyn R says

    December 21, 2011 at 6:51 am

    I subscribe to your RSS feed

    Reply
  13. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    December 21, 2011 at 7:33 am

    Thank you for bringing the cookies! I've been waiting for this post you know? Ever since you tweeted that you had cornish hens. 😀 I just knew that you were going to do something awesome with them.

    You do all in one comments/entries, yes? I follow on Facebook, Twitter, RSS. I stumbled and tweeted 😉

    Reply
  14. Belinda @zomppa says

    December 21, 2011 at 8:05 am

    What a fantastic meal this is - the stuffing is awesome.

    Reply
  15. Sommer J says

    December 21, 2011 at 8:34 am

    These hens looks absolutely fabulous!

    Reply
  16. Carolyn says

    December 21, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Those are gorgeous, Kita and I agree...perfect portion control for a smaller family. My fave holiday special? I always loved the really old one with Rudolph and Baby New Year, where the baby has the big ears he wants to hide under his hat all the time.

    Reply
  17. bekee says

    December 21, 2011 at 9:37 am

    my favorite holiday special is a christmas story! hands down. the grinch who stole christmas is a second, and rudolph (the stop-motion animation) is third.

    i also subscribe to your rss feed.

    Reply
  18. The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says

    December 21, 2011 at 9:38 am

    Merry Christmas! I think your cornish hens look SO much better than the ones in the magazine! I have the recipe tabbed but don't think I'll be able to get to it before the end of the year. Now you're making me really want to. The hens look fantastic.

    The original Grinch will probably always be my favorite (who can resist Max?), but we've grown fond of Shrek Christmas. Dudette watching it a jillion times this season has absolutely nothing to do with that.

    Wishing you and yours the best!

    Reply
  19. Debbi Hook says

    December 21, 2011 at 9:59 am

    What an outstanding dish! I'm definitely saving it to make soon.
    My favorite Christmas special...hmmm, so many to choose from!
    I'm old school - I love to watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with my adult kids 🙂 and the grandchildren. My middle son used to watch it year-round on video tape (back in the days when we had a Beta video player...and you're probably too young to know what that is!)

    Reply
  20. Joy says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:14 am

    The hens look wonderful. That is one of my favorite thing to make for the holidays. I have to say my favorite dish to make is prime rib. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  21. Kari says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:33 am

    My favorite holiday special is The Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol.

    Reply
  22. amanda @ fake ginger says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:41 am

    Those look awesome! You really can't go wrong with pomegranates.

    I'm not much of a Christmas show person although I have watched Elf approximately 27 times already this year.

    Reply
  23. amanda @ fake ginger says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:43 am

    I like you on FB! (and we're friends on there so I should get 2 entries, right? Right?! :P)

    Reply
  24. amanda @ fake ginger says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:44 am

    I follow on Twitter

    Reply
  25. amanda @ fake ginger says

    December 21, 2011 at 10:45 am

    I subscribe!

    Reply
  26. Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:31 am

    What a great recipe! I always love cornish hens; however, they usually look like murder victims instead of little jewels, like yours 🙂 Very pretty!

    Reply
  27. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:33 am

    My favorite special is always It's A Wonderful Life. But you know... I REALLY miss the the Claymation Christmas special from growing up. BTW I'm dying to find some hens and cook them up. I bet they'd be really fun and would probably spark some pretty hilarious comments from the kids.

    Reply
  28. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:34 am

    I follow you on fb

    Reply
  29. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:34 am

    I follow you on twitter

    Reply
  30. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:35 am

    I get your feed

    Reply
  31. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Stumbled 🙂

    Reply
  32. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:36 am

    We tweet 🙂

    Reply
  33. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    December 21, 2011 at 11:37 am

    just tweeted! 😉

    Reply
  34. Melissa says

    December 21, 2011 at 12:22 pm

    My favorite is the Grinch who stole Christmas

    Reply
  35. Melissa says

    December 21, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    I'm an RSS subscriber

    Reply
  36. Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies says

    December 21, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    My favorite holiday special is Garfield's Christmas.

    Reply
  37. Shari says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    I never miss the Charlie Brown Christmas special, as it is just about the only one anymore that gets to the REAL meaning of Christmas.

    Reply
  38. Shari says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:12 pm

    I've "liked" you on Facebook.

    Reply
  39. Shari says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I follow you on Twitter -- @sharinlilbit

    Reply
  40. Shari says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    I just tweeted about the giveaway here: https://twitter.com/#!/sharinlilbit/status/149583684931026944

    Reply
  41. Shari says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    I'm subscribed to your RSS feed via Google Reader

    Reply
  42. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    My favorite holiday special is Mickey's Christmas Carol!! Throwback. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Carmen says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I love Miracle on 34th Street (the Maureen O'Hara version)

    Reply
  44. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I follow Pass the Sushi on Facebook.

    Reply
  45. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    And I follow you on Twitter.

    Reply
  46. Carmen says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    I follow @passthesushi (cmouse01)

    Reply
  47. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Tweeted the giveaway: https://twitter.com/#!/ChipChipHooray/status/149589476014960640

    Reply
  48. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    I subscribe to you via RSS Feed (Google Reader).

    Reply
  49. Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray says

    December 21, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    Just thumbs-upped you via StumbleUpon.

    Reply
  50. Teresa Improta says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:14 pm

    My favorite Holiday special is The Wizard of Oz.

    Reply
  51. Teresa Improta says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Just started following you on Twitter.

    Reply
  52. Teresa Improta says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    I just tweeted about your giveaway.

    Reply
  53. alyssa says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I love the original grinch movie, an specifically the grinch song, which we watch over and over on youtube.

    Reply
  54. Teresa Improta says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I subscribed to your RSS feed just yesterday, does that count?

    Reply
  55. sara says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:47 pm

    Gorgeous hens! My fav holiday special is A Christmas Story.

    Reply
  56. sara says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    I subscribe to your rss feed.

    Reply
  57. Dana Hannsgen says

    December 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    My favorite Christmas special that I whip out for the holidays is definitely my 7 layer cookies. They take a bit more time and work, but it is so worth it in the end. Definitely a show stopper for the holidays. My favorite thing you have made here are the maple bacon cupcakes. Such an underrated combination that I think everyone should have on Christmas morning 🙂

    Reply
  58. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    December 21, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Loved the cookies at Katrina's! The dinner looks amazing, and the giveaway is a great one! So many good things going on in one day!!
    my favorite holiday special - Frosty the Snowman!

    Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  59. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    December 21, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I like you on facebook

    Reply
  60. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    December 21, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I follow you on twitter

    Reply
  61. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

    December 21, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I subscribe to your emails

    Reply
  62. Eliot says

    December 21, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    It just dawned on my that the only Christmas special we have watched this year was a new Ice Age one. (It really didn't measure up to the old classics.) The best ever holiday classic has to be Christmas Story---don't shoot your eye out! 🙂 Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  63. Sail2byzantium says

    December 22, 2011 at 12:48 am

    Tweeted, followed, I think I'm subscribed, I stumbled, and I've rss'ed, *knead* an awesome bread book 🙂

    Reply
  64. Ann says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:02 am

    What a great post! I love Linus's monologue, too! I think it's one of the all-time best Christmas moments!

    Thank you for the amazing giveaway! I "like" your Facebook page

    Reply
  65. Ann says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:03 am

    I am subscribed! WooHoo!

    Reply
  66. Ann says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:03 am

    ....and you know I follow you on Twitter!

    Reply
  67. Barbara Lyons says

    December 22, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Just liked you on FB; site looks great!

    Reply
  68. Bunny Perry says

    December 22, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    It's so hard to choose, my mother-in-laws broccoli salad or my daughter's breakfast or bread pudding!!

    Reply
  69. nicole says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    I like you on FB

    Reply
  70. nicole says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    I love Charlie Brown Christmas. We DVR'd it last week. So much fun to watch

    Reply
  71. nicole says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I suscribe to your RSS feed

    Reply
  72. nicole says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/iamahoneybee/status/149919013353431041

    Reply
  73. nicole says

    December 22, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    I follow you on twitter!

    Reply
  74. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    I love "Polar Express" and "Elf"...both great movies.

    Reply
  75. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    I already follow you on FB.

    Reply
  76. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    I subscribe via email.

    Reply
  77. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I'm following you on Twitter.

    Reply
  78. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    I'm following via Google reader.

    Reply
  79. Athena says

    December 22, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/GoddessFoodie/status/149980133120425984

    Reply
  80. MikeW says

    December 22, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    My favorite holiday special? The Dr Who Christmas Special.

    Reply
  81. MikeW says

    December 22, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    I'm following Pass the Sushi on Facebook

    Reply
  82. MikeW says

    December 22, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    I subscribe to your RSS Feed

    Reply
  83. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:08 am

    My favorite holiday food is simple, garlic whipped potatoes that my mom makes. But just so you know I can't stop thinking about your Blueberry Cheesecake Martini!

    Reply
  84. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Already like you on facebook (Savour the Senses by Jenny Morris) =)

    Reply
  85. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:16 am

    Already follow you on twitter =) @savourthesenses

    Reply
  86. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Tweeted this giveaway

    Reply
  87. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Already subscribed to your RSS feed =)

    Reply
  88. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    December 23, 2011 at 11:21 am

    Stumbled this post too!

    Reply
  89. Stacey says

    December 24, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Even though I've seen it a thousand times, I still like to watch Elf every year 🙂

    Reply
  90. Stacey says

    December 24, 2011 at 10:17 am

    I follow you on Twitter

    Reply
  91. Stacey says

    December 24, 2011 at 10:17 am

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/shenning321/status/150595948865781761

    Reply
  92. Stacey says

    December 24, 2011 at 10:18 am

    I subscribe via RSS

    Reply
  93. Stacey says

    December 24, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Thumbs up on Stumble

    Reply
  94. Peggy says

    December 24, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    Oh girl, these are the sexiest hens I've ever seen! I'd almost feel dirty eating these babies - but trust me, I would enjoy every bite. Yeah... I'm a little loopy, but you're still fabulous!

    Reply

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