How to Cook a Hen in the Oven

In this How to cook a hen in the oven article we we teach  you everything and give you several great recipes too!

NOTE: A Hen is just a female chicken. Some people believe that a hen is better for stewing then a chicken. I cook hens just hte same as I do chickens allthough most Hens I see for sale are larger then the other chickens being sold so they take longer to bake do to their size.

You can click on this link If you want to know how to cook a Cornish Hen in the oven.

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven is Easy and in this article we teach  you everything and give you several great recipes too! Here is the order of this article:

1) First we will give you ALL the basic information on cooking Hen – refrigerating, dethawing, safe handling and approximate cook times!.

2) then we will show you an easy recipe to bake a whole Hen

3) Then we will show you a little more complicated recipe for cooking  Fried Hen legs and thighs

4) FINALLY WE TELL YOU HOW LONG YOU CAN STORE IT IN THE FRIDGE!

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven – Basic Information

Rinsing or Soaking Hen
It is not necessary to wash raw Hen. Any bacteria which might be present are destroyed by cooking.

Liquid in Package
Many people think the pink liquid in packaged fresh Hen is blood, but it is mostly water which was absorbed by the Hen during the chilling process. Blood is removed from poultry during slaughter and only a small amount remains in the muscle tissue. An improperly bled Hen would have cherry red skin and is condemned at the plant.

Fresh Hen: Hen is kept cold during distribution to retail stores to prevent the growth of bacteria and to increase its shelf life. Hen should feel cold to the touch when purchased. Select fresh Hen just before checking out at the register. Put packages of Hen in disposable plastic bags (if available) to contain any leakage which could cross-contaminate cooked foods or produce. Make the grocery your last stop before going home.

At home, immediately place Hen in a refrigerator that maintains 40 °F, and use within 1 or 2 days, or freeze at 0 °F. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely.

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven - Safe Defrosting

FSIS recommends three ways to defrost Hen: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave. Never defrost Hen on the counter or in other locations. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. Boneless Hen breasts will usually defrost overnight. Bone-in parts and whole Hens may take 1 to 2 days or longer. Once the raw Hen defrosts, it can be kept in the refrigerator an additional day or two before cooking. During this time, if Hen defrosted in the refrigerator is not used, it can safely be refrozen without cooking first.

Hen may be defrosted in cold water in its airtight packaging or in a leak proof bag. Submerge the bird or cut-up parts in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to be sure it stays cold. A whole (3 to 4-pound) broiler fryer or package of parts should defrost in 2 to 3 hours. A 1-pound package of boneless breasts will defrost in an hour or less.

Hen defrosted in the microwave should be cooked immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during microwaving. Holding partially cooked food is not recommended because any bacteria present wouldn't have been destroyed. Foods defrosted in the microwave or by the cold water method should be cooked before refreezing.

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven – Chart  For approximate cooking times.
 

+ Unstuffed. If stuffed, add 15 to 30 minutes additional time.
* Indirect method using drip pan.

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven – How to Bake a Whole Hen

You are not going to believe how easy this is!

1) Place your cooking pan next to the sink. I use a glass baking pan but any oven proof cooking pan (you can get one of the aluminum foil ones from the grocery store for around $1 dollar if you don't have one)

2) Unwrap your Hen in the sink so all the water goes down the sink. Throw away the wrapper.

3) Reach inside the Hen incase the giblets (the neck, heart, gizzards and liver) are in there in a piece of paper or plastic. Remove them and set aside.

4) Place the Hen in the pan.

5) You can rub butter all over the Hen if you like. I don't myself.

6) Season the Hen with salt pepper, thyme lemon whatever you like. I use Seasoned salt. That is all.  I shake it all over the outside and on the inside a little.

7) Place in oven with oven mitts ( if you have them. Might keep you from burning your hand on the 400 degree preheated oven).

cook using the times in the table above.

9) Remove from oven and let cool then serve! It goes great with anything! Bread, salad, corn, mashed potatoes anything!

WARNING! The Hen will be beyond boiling hot. THERE MAY BE A LOT OF BOILING GREASE IN THE PAN. Watch out for kids, pets and people and your self.  IF it gets dropped or splattered on someone they could get nasty burns!!!

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven – Oven Fried Hen

Ingredients:

1. 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2. ½ cup butter milk
3. 2 cloves garlic
4. 1 tablespoon hot sauce (To taste – optional)
5. 2 ½ to 3 pounds Hen legs trimmed and chop into drumsticks and thighs, skin removed
    - Note:That you can buy these like this fresh or frozen. OF FROZEN you must dethaw them first!
6. 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
7. ½ cup whole wheat flour
8. 1 ½ teaspoon paprika
9. 1 teaspoon baking powder
10. 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
11. 1/8 teaspoon salt
12. Olive oil cooking spray
13. Freshly ground pepper

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven  – Oven Fried Hen Directions:

1. in a shallow glass dish or bowl add the Mustard, Buttermilk,  hot sauce (if you use it) and garlic
    
2. - Whisk mustard, buttermilk, hot sauce and garlic  dish until well blended.
    
3. - Add the sliced Hen and turn over to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for about 8 hours.
    
4. - Preheat the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line the baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack in the baking sheet and coat it with the cooking spray.
    
5. - Whisk sesame seeds, flour, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and baking powder in a small bowl. After that, place the flour mixture in a large sealable plastic bag or paper bag.
    
6. - Place one or two pieces of Hen at the paper bag and shake to coat.
    
7. - Spray the pieces of Hen with cooking spray.
    
8. - Bake the marinated Hen until it becomes golden brown (40 to 50 minutes)
    
9. - Serve in a large bowl.

How to Cook a Hen in the Oven  – How long can you keep it in the fridge?

Storage Times Since product dates aren't a guide for safe use of a product, how long can the consumer store the food and still use it at top quality? Follow these tips: Purchase the product before the date expires. Follow handling recommendations on product. Keep Hen in its package until using. Freeze Hen in its original packaging, overwrap or re-wrap it according to directions in the above section, "How to Handle Hen Safely". Refrigerator Home Storage (at 40° F or below) of Hen Products Product Refrigerator Storage Times Fresh Hen, Giblets or Ground Hen 1 to 2 days Cooked Hen, Leftover 3 to 4 days Hen Broth or Gravy 1 to 2 days Cooked Hen Casseroles, Dishes or Soup 3 to 4 days Cooked Hen Pieces, covered with broth or gravy 1 to 2 days Cooked Hen Nuggets, Patties 1 to 2 days Fried Hen 3 to 4 days Take-Out Convenience Hen (Rotisserie, Fried, etc.) 3 to 4 days Restaurant Hen Leftovers, brought immediately home in a "Doggy Bag" 3 to 4 days Store-cooked Hen Dinner including gravy 1 to 2 days Hen Salad 3 to 5 days Deli-sliced Hen Luncheon Meat 3 to 5 days Hen Luncheon Meat, sealed in package 2 weeks (but no longer than 1 week after a "sell-by" date) Hen Luncheon Meat, after opening 3 to 5 days Vacuum-packed Dinners, Commercial brand with USDA seal Unopened 2 weeks Opened 3 to 4 days Hen Hotdogs, unopened 2 weeks (but no longer than 1 week after a "sell-by" date) Hen Hotdogs, after opening 7 days Canned Hen Products 2 to 5 years in pantry Last Modified: April 4, 2006

OK thats it for our How to Cook a Hen in the Oven Article!

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