What is the Difference Between Chicken and Cornish Hen?

Chicken and Cornish hen are two types of chicken that people often get mixed up. Even though they look alike, it’s important to know that these birds are not nearly the same. We’ll talk about what makes chicken and Cornish hen different in this article.

Origin and Breeding

Chicken refers to poultry from the species Gallus gallus domesticus. This includes many different breeds like Leghorns, Plymouth Rocks, and Brahmas. On the other hand, Cornish hen is specifically a hybrid breed that originated in Cornwall, England in the 1800s.

When Cornish chickens and Plymouth Rock chickens were crossed, the first Cornish hen was born. The breast meat of Cornish chickens was known to be big, and the eggs laid by Plymouth Rocks were admired. The goal was to get a chicken with high-quality meat by crossing breeds.

Today, while some farmers still raise purebred Cornish hen, major poultry producers use the term more loosely. The USDA defines Cornish hens as chickens under 5 weeks old and 2 pounds or less in weight. They don’t have to be a specific breed.

Size and Portions

The small size of Cornish hen is one of the biggest differences from chicken. A Cornish hen is an individual portion, weighing only 1-2 pounds Chicken is much larger, with a whole chicken weighing 3-5 pounds on average

Because of their petite size, Cornish hens are always sold whole. Chicken has more versatility and can be cut into pieces like breasts, thighs, drumsticks, etc

Age at Harvest

Cornish hens are picked at a younger age, which is one reason for the size difference. Chickens raised for meat are typically slaughtered between 6-8 weeks. Cornish hens are picked between 4 and 5 weeks after they are born, so they are more tender and delicate.

The younger harvest age also contributes to some differences in taste and nutrition profile which we’ll discuss next.

Flavor and Texture

Most people find little difference between the flavor of Cornish hen vs. chicken. Both have a mild, delicate flavor. However, the texture can vary. Since Cornish hens are younger with smaller bones, the meat tends to be more tender.

Cornish hen breast meat might also be a little juicier because it has more white meat and hasn’t been cooked for as long, so it hasn’t had as much time to get tough.

Nutrition

When it comes to nutrition, Cornish hens and chicken are fairly similar:

• Both are high in protein, providing 20-25g per 3 ounce serving. This makes them a great option for building muscle or maintaining energy.

• Cornish hens are slightly lower in fat and calories because they are younger. A 3 oz. serving of roasted Cornish hen has 140 calories and 3.5g fat, compared to 160 calories and 5g fat for roasted chicken breast.

• Cornish hens contain more niacin, which is a B vitamin that supports brain function and may help lower cholesterol.

Overall, the differences in nutrition are minor. Both Cornish hen and chicken are lean sources of protein and nutrients.

How to Cook

Cornish hens really shine when roasted whole. Their small size allows them to cook quickly, in about 25 minutes at 450°F. The high heat helps the skin get crispy. Chicken can also be roasted whole, but takes almost twice as long.

Other cooking methods like grilling, sautéing, or braising work for Cornish hens too. But the versatility of chicken opens up many more possibilities like stir fries, chicken parmesan, tandoori chicken, etc.

• Breeding: Chicken refers to many breeds, while Cornish hen is a specific hybrid chicken.

• Size: Cornish hens weigh only 1-2 lbs while chickens are 3-5 lbs.

• Age: Cornish hens are slaughtered younger at 4-5 weeks vs. 6-8 weeks for chickens.

• Texture: Cornish hen meat is more tender.

• Nutrition: Cornish hens are slightly lower in fat and calories.

• Cooking: Chicken is more versatile but Cornish hen excels when roasted whole.

Hopefully this gives you a better understanding of how these two poultry options compare. Though they are quite similar, the unique qualities of Cornish hen make it stand out as an elegant and tender choice for a special meal.