Zum Hauptinhalt springen

Figgy Piggy Cornish Hens

This elegant high-protein dish offers a sophisticated twist on a classic roast. The combination of succulent Cornish hens and honeyed fresh figs creates a beautiful balance of sweet and savoury flavours, while the rendered bacon fat provides a rich base for browning the poultry. It is an impressive yet straightforward meal that feels celebratory without requiring hours of preparation in the kitchen.

Perfect for a weekend dinner or a special occasion, these hens are roasted at a high temperature to ensure the skin becomes perfectly crisp while the meat remains juicy. Serving the dish with a simple lemon deglaze adds a bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the bacon and garlic. Pair with steamed seasonal greens or a light salad to complete this nutritious, protein-packed meal.

Lesen Sie unten weiter

Ingredients for Figgy Piggy Cornish Hens

  • 230g bacon slices, halved

  • 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced lengthwise

  • 4 Cornish hens (about 575g each), halved lengthwise

  • 12 thyme sprigs

  • 12 fresh black and/or green figs, halved or quartered if large

  • 45ml fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 260°C with rack in upper third.

Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-low heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Add garlic to skillet and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels with bacon.

Pat hens dry and season with 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoons pepper. Heat fat in skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke. Brown 4 hen halves, skin side down, about 6 minutes. Transfer, skin side up, to a large 4-sided sheet pan. Brown remaining hens, transferring to sheet pan. Reserve skillet.

Scatter thyme and figs over hens, then roast until hens are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, deglaze skillet with lemon juice by simmering, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 30 seconds. Pour over roast hens. Scatter bacon and garlic over hens.

Haftungsausschluss

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Artikel Geschichte

Die Informationen auf dieser Seite wurden von qualifizierten Klinikern geprüft.

  • 29 Jan 2026 | Ursprünglich veröffentlicht

    Verfasst von:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer-Review durch

    UK recipe editors
Grippe-Tauglichkeitsprüfung

Fragen, teilen, verbinden.

Stöbern Sie in Diskussionen, stellen Sie Fragen, und tauschen Sie Erfahrungen zu Hunderten von Gesundheitsthemen aus.

Symptom-Prüfer

Fühlen Sie sich unwohl?

Beurteilen Sie Ihre Symptome online und kostenlos

Melden Sie sich für den Patienten-Newsletter an

Ihre wöchentliche Dosis klarer, vertrauenswürdiger Gesundheitsratschläge – geschrieben, damit Sie sich informiert, sicher und unter Kontrolle fühlen.

Bitte geben Sie eine gültige E-Mail-Adresse ein.

Mit Ihrer Anmeldung akzeptieren Sie unsere Datenschutzerklärung. Sie können sich jederzeit abmelden. Wir verkaufen Ihre Daten niemals weiter.