The Ultimate Oven-Roasted Spatchcock Cornish Hens (Tuscan Style)

Are you looking to create a truly special, restaurant-quality meal at home? A dish that delivers unbelievably crispy skin and juicy, tender meat, all infused with the bright, rustic flavors of Tuscany? This recipe for Oven-Roasted Spatchcock Cornish Hens using the classic “chicken under a brick” method is your new go-to for impressive, elegant dinners.

This is your ultimate guide to mastering a classic Italian technique that guarantees a perfectly cooked bird every time, without ever needing to fire up the grill. We’ll show you how to spatchcock the hens for even cooking, marinate them in a vibrant lemon-rosemary mixture, and roast them under a weight in a hot skillet for a spectacular result.

What makes this recipe so special is the incredible texture you achieve. The constant pressure from the weight ensures the skin becomes uniformly golden-brown and shatteringly crisp, while the meat remains succulent and moist. This is more than just a roast chicken; it’s a culinary experience that will make any meal feel like a special occasion.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Magic of Pollo al Mattone (Chicken Under a Brick) in the Oven

The heart of this recipe for Spatchcock Cornish Hens is the classic Italian technique known as pollo al mattone, or “chicken on a brick.” While traditionally done on a grill, this method is perfectly adapted for your home oven and a heavy skillet.

First, the hen is spatchcocked (flattened), which allows it to cook quickly and evenly. Then, it’s seared and roasted in a hot skillet with a heavy weight placed on top (like another skillet or a foil-wrapped brick). This simple technique does two amazing things:

1. Creates Perfectly Crispy Skin: The weight ensures that every inch of the skin stays in direct, constant contact with the hot surface of the pan. This allows the fat to render out completely, resulting in an unbelievably crisp, golden-brown skin that is impossible to achieve otherwise.
2. Ensures Juicy, Even Cooking: The flattened shape and the top-down pressure help the chicken to cook much faster and more evenly than a traditional whole-roasted bird.

The Key to a Perfect Cook: Spatchcocking

To properly make this Spatchcock Cornish Hen recipe, you must first flatten the bird. It’s a simple butchering technique that makes a huge difference.

How to Spatchcock a Cornish Hen:

1. Place the hen breast-side down on a cutting board.
2. Using a pair of sturdy kitchen shears, cut along one side of the backbone from the tail to the neck.
3. Make a second, parallel cut along the other side of the backbone and remove it completely. (You can save the backbone for making stock!)
4. Flip the hen over and use the heel of your hand to press down firmly on the breastbone. You will hear a crack, and the hen will now lie flat.

The Key Ingredients for Your Tuscan Hens

This recipe for Spatchcock Cornish Hens uses a handful of simple, classic, and high-impact ingredients.

• Cornish Hens: These small, young chickens are perfect for individual servings and have a wonderfully tender texture.
• The Tuscan Marinade: A bright, aromatic, and classic combination that lets the flavor of the chicken shine.
  • Good Olive Oil: Use a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
  • Fresh Lemon: We use both the zest for its fragrant oils and the juice for its bright acidity.
  • Fresh Rosemary & Garlic: The quintessential aromatic duo of Tuscan cooking, providing a piney, savory flavor.
• Fleur de Sel: This is a delicate, flaky “finishing salt.” Sprinkling it on the hot, rested chicken just before serving adds a final burst of clean, salty flavor and a delightful, subtle crunch.

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Oven-Roasted Spatchcock Cornish Hens

This impressive meal requires a few hours of marinating time, but the active cooking process is simple and rewarding.

Part 1: Preparation

1. Prep and Salt the Hens: First, spatchcock your Cornish hens as described above. Sprinkle each hen on both sides with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.
2. Make the Marinade: In a glass or ceramic dish large enough to hold the flattened hens, combine the 1/3 cup of olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, and minced fresh rosemary. Add 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and whisk to combine.
3. Marinate: Add the hens to the dish and turn them several times to coat them completely in the marinade. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and let the hens marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.

Part 2: Roasting

1. Preheat Your Oven and Skillet: Place a large, heavy, ovenproof skillet (a 12-inch cast-iron skillet is perfect) in the oven and preheat the oven to 425°F.
2. Sear the Hens: Once the oven is hot, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and place it over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Place the marinated hens in the hot skillet, skin-side down.
3. Weigh it Down: Place your weight (another smaller, heavy skillet, or a brick wrapped in foil) directly on top of the hens. Sear for about 5 minutes, until the skin is starting to turn golden brown.
4. Roast to Perfection: Transfer the entire setup—the skillet with the hens and the weight on top—into the preheated oven. Roast for 10 minutes.
5. Flip and Finish: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Remove the weight, flip the hens over so they are now skin-side up, and place the weight back on top. Return the skillet to the oven and roast for another 10-12 minutes. Your Spatchcock Cornish Hens are done when the skin is deep golden brown and crispy, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165°F.
6. Roast the Lemons: During the last 10 minutes of cooking, you can place the halved lemons cut-side down in the hot skillet alongside the chicken.
7. Rest the Hens (Crucial!): Remove the cooked Spatchcock Cornish Hens and the lemons to a plate or cutting board. Cover the hens loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes before carving.

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Conclusion: A Restaurant-Quality Roast at Home

This recipe for Oven-Roasted Spatchcock Cornish Hens is a perfect way to create a truly special meal with minimal fuss. The “chicken under a brick” method is a foolproof technique that delivers spectacular results every time, and the simple, bright Tuscan flavors are a timeless delight. This is a dish that is guaranteed to impress and will make any dinner feel like a celebration.

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