If you’re looking to elevate your next dinner party or holiday gathering, these Pomegranate BBQ Basted Cornish Hens are a showstopper.
Tender, juicy hens are basted with a tangy, slightly sweet, and smoky pomegranate BBQ glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. The result? A dish that looks as impressive as it tastes. For more inspiration, be sure to check out my list of Southern Thanksgiving Recipes.
Cornish hens are perfect for entertaining because each guest gets their own personal portion, and they cook much faster than a traditional whole chicken or turkey. Paired with the rich, jewel-toned pomegranate glaze, this recipe is both festive and flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
This recipe combines the smoky comfort of BBQ with the bright, tart sweetness of pomegranate, creating a balance of flavors that feels both rustic and gourmet. It’s the kind of dish that makes an ordinary dinner feel like a special occasion.
Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting friends, these Pomegranate BBQ Basted Cornish Hens will quickly become a favorite centerpiece at your table.
Ingredients
For the Cornish Hens:
- 2 Cornish hens (about 1–1.5 pounds each)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Pomegranate BBQ Glaze:
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Pomegranate BBQ Basted Cornish Hens
Instructions
Prepare the Hens
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels, then rub them all over with olive oil.
- Season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Place the hens on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for even cooking.
Make the Pomegranate BBQ Glaze
- In a medium saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Roast and Baste
- Roast the hens for 25 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush generously with the pomegranate BBQ glaze.
- Return to the oven and roast another 20–25 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until the hens are golden brown, caramelized, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve
- Let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils and parsley for a pop of color.
- Serve with roasted vegetables, wild rice, or a crisp salad.
Tips for Success
- Double the glaze: It’s so delicious, you may want extra for drizzling over the hens or sides.
- Grill option: These hens can also be grilled over indirect heat for a smoky outdoor twist.
- Festive touch: Garnish with orange slices and rosemary sprigs for a holiday-worthy presentation.
Check out these other delicious meat recipes
- Ina Garten's Perfectly Roasted Turkey
- Trisha Yearwood's Honey Mustard Glazed Ham
- Coca-Cola Baked Ham
Pomegranate BBQ Basted Cornish Hens
These hens are the perfect holiday main course to serve your friends and family who are not big fans of turkey or ham.
Ingredients
For the Cornish Hens:
- 2 Cornish hens (about 1–1.5 pounds each)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For the Pomegranate BBQ Glaze:
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup pomegranate arils (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Hens
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels, then rub them all over with olive oil.
Season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Place the hens on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for even cooking.
Step 2: Make the Pomegranate BBQ Glaze
In a medium saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder.
Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Roast and Baste
Roast the hens for 25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and brush generously with the pomegranate BBQ glaze.
Return to the oven and roast another 20–25 minutes, basting every 10 minutes, until the hens are golden brown, caramelized, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 4: Serve
Let the hens rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh pomegranate arils and parsley for a pop of color.
Serve with roasted vegetables, wild rice, or a crisp salad.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 538Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 168mgSodium: 185mgCarbohydrates: 52gFiber: 0gSugar: 51gProtein: 29g
That sounds delicious. I have never cooked with pomegranates before, but I think I need to try this 🙂
I love adding the seeds to a salad. It is a sweet crunch anyone would love! The juice is great to cook with in so many ways.
They look so nice and tasty. If I could I would eat them right now. Thanks for the great recipe.
You are welcome. We loved making them
Pomegranate barbecued Cornish hens sound amazing! I've never thought of that combination for barbecue sauce before.
It's very good. You will love it if you try it.
I love pomegranates so I know that I will be making this one soon! It looks delicious!
It was really good!
Pomegranate sounds like a great addition to any barbecue sauce. That's a wonderful idea. I can't wait to give it a try.
It really bumped up the flavor and added a richness like a wine would give it. So very good.
Wow, that looks like something from a magazine! This would make the perfect Christmas dinner!
Thanks Meagan. I will be sure to pass the compliment along to my daughter as she is the one that photographed it 🙂
Your cornish hens turned out beautifully. They must have tasted delicious.
They were amazing Stacie!!
You know, I have never had cornish hens? Ha! I know, crazy... But I bet they are delicious. This recipe sounds amazing. Love anything pomegranate.
Thanks Shauna. They are very easy to make and take no time to bake in the oven. If you are really adventurous, you can make them on the grill
This looks so delicious. I've never had cornish hens before I think this is something I'd love to try to make for my family!
They are very easy to make. You should do it!
This looks like a delicious recipe. I will have to pick up some Tyson Cornish Hens so i can try this recipe this weekend.
You will love the way the turn out Ann!
This is a great way to make brussel sprouts. The Tyson Cornish Hens look so delicious. My family would love this for dinner.
Thanks Tammi. Yes -- the brussel sprouts really added an elegance to the dish.
Pomegranate BBQ Basted Cornish Hens look amazing. I would love to try this recipe on the weekend. I bet it will knock my family's socks off.
That it would!!
Those hens look perfect ! I love the brussels sprouts pairing too !
I think the brussels and the butternut squash were my favorite part!
Oh this sounds so good and it looks beautiful too! I'm going to have to see if my boyfriend would be willing to make this!
It's not hard at all Liz. It's like roasting a chicken in the oven 🙂 I bet he could do it.
I have not made Cornish hens in so long. I love pomegranate, so I bet these are delicious.
They were scrumptious Kelly!
I don't think I have ever made a Cornish hen before! These look so what a perfect dinner to make up at holiday season!
I make one for my daugther every year at Thanksgiving because she is not a fan of turkey. Very easy to make.
I've never tried to make it, but I'm sure if I'd try, my family would love this, they will forget their names once they taste this lol.
It was very good Nikki. Not hard to make at all. Just like roasting a chicken in the oven
This really looks yum. Perfect dish for the whole family. Thanks for sharing.
you are very welcome! My daughter and I loved it. Very moist and juicy.
I'm making a chicken tomorrow (not cornish hen) and will definitely be using this recipe! I have the 3 ingredients already so I cannot wait to see how they come out and what my family thinks!
You will love it. The Pomegranate juice gives the sauce a richness like a wine would. So very good!
She really has rocked the photography! She should look into taking classes to become a professional. The shots in this post are beautiful.
I know. She is going to attend a real art college in the fall, so she will have the opportunity to further her photography as well as her drawing 🙂 I will let her know what you said. She will be pleased!
I love pomegranate juice, but never thought to cook with it. I'm going to have to now because this sounds amazing!
I had never used it before this recipe either and I love the richness it adds to a sauce. You should definitely try it!
Cornish Game hens are one of my favorite meals. Pairing them with the brussel sprouts and squash sounds tasty.
Oooh, this looks delicious! I love anything BBQ too!
Thanks! It was delicious!
This looks amazing. You dish is beautifully prepared Thank you for sharing.