If you know my style of cooking, then you know I’m always looking for ways to jazz things up in the kitchen. Historically, most families have a turkey for Thanksgiving, but I wanted to post a recipe that would give you another poultry option just in case you weren’t fond of turkey. This Cornish hen recipe pairs spicy jerk seasoning along with sweet chili sauce and it is truly a party in your mouth. Cornish hens are also a great alternative for smaller families or people who are not with their loved ones during the holidays but still want a delicious meal. As always, please let me know how it comes out and enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner !
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens
- 1 tablespoon Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk seasoning (Mild or Spicy)
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon browning (I used the Grace brand )
- Adobo all purpose seasoning
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Dried thyme
- 1/4 cup Thai sweet Chili sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Generously Season both sides of Cornish hens with adobo, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder , ginger , and thyme
3. In a bowl add seasoned Cornish hens, garlic , jerk seasoning ,and browning -then combine well so that’s the Cornish hens are covered with garlic and browning sauce
4. Place Cornish hens in a shallow pan and bake for 40 minutes (baste the hens every 10-15 minutes )
5. Remove from oven and in a small bowl, mix together the sweet chili, ketchup, and honey -then spoon the mixture over the Cornish hens (reserve about 1/4 of it )
6. Bake for another 40 minutes , basting every 10-15 minutes
7. Remove from oven and spoon rest of sweet chili mixture over cornish hens before serving
8. Serve and enjoy!

Jerk Sweet Chili Cornish Hens
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish hens
- 1 tablespoon Walkerswood Jamaican Jerk seasoning (Mild or Spicy)
- 1 tablespoon Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Browning (I used the Grace brand )
- Adobo all purpose seasoning
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger
- Dried thyme
- ¼ cup Thai sweet Chili sauce
- ¼ cup Honey
- 2 tablespoon Ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Generously Season both sides of Cornish hens with adobo, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder , ginger , and thyme
- In a bowl add seasoned Cornish hens, garlic , jerk seasoning ,and browning -then combine well so that’s the Cornish hens are covered with garlic and browning sauce
- Place Cornish hens in a shallow pan and bake for 40 minutes (baste the hens every 10-15 minutes )
- Remove from oven and in a small bowl, mix together the sweet chili, ketchup, and honey -then spoon the mixture over the Cornish hens (reserve about 1/4 of it )
- Bake for another 40 minutes , basting every 10-15 minutes
- Remove from oven and spoon rest of sweet chili mixture over Cornish hens before serving
- Serve and enjoy!
Hi there,
I may be missing it……. Do I mix the jerk seasoning in step 2?
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Hi, it’s in step 3 I updated it thank you
Hi, Do I place the Cornish hens in the oven covered with foil?
Hi, no uncovered but make sure you baste it’s every 10-15 minutes
Hi!
Quick question…
Is the Thai chili sauce, honey, and ketchup supposed to be mixed in before baking? Thanks!
Yes it’s mixed together before you spoon it over the Cornish hens
I updated the recipe thank you
Can the Cornish be Substitute for a whole chicken?
If so does the ingredients chance?
Yes you can just use a whole chicken and keep the other ingredients the same
Sis…. I cooked a chicken for Thanksgiving and I’ve had raving reviews. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so happy to hear that ! You are welcome
what is browning?
It’s a sauce that makes the meat darker …it’s made by the brand “Grace”
Hello, can chicken breast be used as a substitute
Hi, I would recommend substituting it with a whole chicken versus chicken breast but chicken breast could work also you just need to shorten the cook time
Love the recipie and appreciate you sharing all these goodies! I was wondering if I could use a similar sauce with shrimp? Do you have a recipe like that?
Thank you so much , you could use the recipe for shrimp as well, the ingredients need to be adjusted since shrimp doesn’t need as much seasoning /I think I will add a shrimp recipe in the near future since everyone is enjoying it
I made these Cornish hens and let me tell you something! The flavor was outstanding, the sweet with the salty (no way too salty) had my soul tryna exit my body 🙌🏽The hens were so moist. Simple recipe to follow. Ordering ebook immediately! Thank you 😊
Thank you sooooo much …I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it ! It’s definitely one of my fave recipes ❤️
Hello! My daughter is allergic to ketchup. Will leaving the ketchup out change the flavor?
You can make it without it ❤️
Thank you! 💕
You’re welcome ❤️
Made this for Christmas dinner. It was really good and very easy process. And it worked great “doubled”.
I was mad I couldn’t honestly tell my family I came up with this recipe hahah
Lol I’m so happy to hear that and I am laughing so much too cute haha ❤️
My store didn’t have the Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning so I got the marinade instead. Is that okay?
Yes that will work fine ❤️
Can I marinate the hens
Yes
Hi. The thai chili sauce- do you make your own or can you recommend one
Hi I use a brand called -Mae Ploy sweet chili sauce
Hi I am preparing your recipe now when I put the hens in the oven for the first 40 minutes am I adding any water to the pan?
Hi, No water
I am trying this recipe on 5 drumsticks that I had in my freezer. Fingers crossed lol. Although your recipe required dried ginger, I’m anxious to try an ginger paste I just brought. Maybe for another recipe!
This recipe is PERFECTION. My boyfriend wouldn’t stop saying how good it was! 😊 Definitely will have to make again. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so happy to hear that ! Yasss
Would you be able to add spice measurements to the recipe? I’m not sure how much of each spice to use. I prefer to use a measured amount, not a random quantity. Thanks!
Amazing!! This recipe will be on heavy rotation.
Yasssss I’m so glad you enjoyed it ❤️