Ingredients:

  • 2 Cornish game hens (about 1.5 lbs each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 2 cups baby carrots
  • 2 cups small potatoes (Yukon Gold or baby potatoes, halved)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Rub each hen inside and out with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub this seasoning blend generously over both hens.
  3. Place half of a lemon inside the cavity of each hen for added flavor.
  4. Add baby carrots and halved potatoes to the bottom of your crock pot. Pour in chicken broth over the vegetables to help keep everything moist during cooking.
  5. Carefully place both seasoned game hens on top of the vegetables in the crock pot; they can be placed side by side or one atop another if necessary.
  6. Cover with lid and set your crock pot on high for about four hours or low for about six to eight hours until fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach at least165°F).
  7. Optional: For crispy skin—if desired—remove game hens from crock pot after cooking is complete; place them on a baking sheet lined with foil and broil in an oven preheated to high for about five minutes until skin is golden brown.
  8. Once done cooking, carefully transfer game hens onto serving plates along with vegetables from underneath.