Because of their strong resemblance, it can be difficult to set a Cornish hen and a chicken apart. However, these two kitchen staples are far from being interchangeable as they each bear unique characteristics. This article draws the line between them.
Summary TableCornish HenChickenA crossbreed between the Cornish and the White Rock chicken breedsA descendant of the red junglefowl familyDistinct for its red, white, or black feathersAvailable in a wide array of colorsMatures in about 4 weeksMatures in about 8 to 12 weeksSlaughtered within 5 weeksSlaughtered within 39 to 42 daysWeighs around 2 poundsWeighs around 3 1/2 to 4 poundsPackaged wholePackaged in whole or in tiny cutsCommonly cooked whole or sliced in halfCut into smaller portions or cooked as a whole chickenDescriptionsA Cornish hen, also called a Cornish game hen or a rock Cornish hen, is a crossbreed between the Cornish and the white rock chicken breeds.