Forum Discussion

RoadXYZ's avatar
RoadXYZ
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2014

What are they called ? those small chickens from years ago

We used to go to the meat market or super market and get a whole small chicken which was baked, and they were so small that a whole one was considered size of serving sometimes was for 1 or 2 people.

I am not talking a bird like quail .. these were larger ..

Darn it .. so hate it when something used to be popular and have to ask older people as the name of those small chickens (not called Banties on the label) which used to buy for special occasions when we wanted a dinner for just two of us ..

Please help us with the name .. when seniors can neither one remember, then it becomes clear that we are getting old !
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2014
    I have a deep fryer that is perfect for 1 Rock Hen.
    Deep fry for 20 minutes at 350 deg.
  • NYCgrrl's avatar
    NYCgrrl
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    Francesca Knowles wrote:
    My Mother called them "Rock hens"- short for the original Rock Cornish, I think.

    I'll never forget the Thanksgiving where she first served them up-every single one of us got OUR VERY OWN bird. And there were ten people in the family!

    That experience remains the height of luxury/excess to me.

    And I can't forget a good friend hosting her first dinner party and buying 2 Cornish hens for 4 adults. She and I still giggle about it almost 30 years later.

    Another vote for Cornish or Rock Cornish hens. you can probably find them in the frozen meat dept. of your local supermarket.
    They grill nice and fast when the backbone is cut out which can easily be done w/ dollar store scissors.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    Rock Cornish Game hens, or Cornish hens as I grew up calling them. Grocery stores in the Milwaukee area always have them. They must still be reasonably popular in this area or no one would carry them.
  • Francesca_Knowl's avatar
    Francesca_Knowl
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2014
    My Mother called them "Rock hens"- short for the original Rock Cornish, I think.

    I'll never forget the Thanksgiving where she first served them up-every single one of us got OUR VERY OWN bird. And there were ten people in the family!

    That experience remains the height of luxury/excess to me.
  • RoadXYZ's avatar
    RoadXYZ
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2014
    Didn't remember buy them by that name - Cornish Game Hens

    But will definitely look it up .. we bought the last ones of these I think in the 1970s .. seniors and their memories are sometimes a real challenge .

About Chefs on the Road

2,135 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 01, 2025