Definition

Noun: 1. The meat of a small, young chicken bred specifically for roasting: This term refers to the edible flesh of a small, immature chicken of a particular breed (a cross between Cornish and White Plymouth Rock chickens), known for its tender texture and suitability for cooking whole by roasting.

Usage Examples

• The recipe calls for one rock Cornish hen per person.
• For a special dinner, she prepared roasted rock Cornish hen with herbs.
• The rock Cornish hen was so tender and flavorful.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used on menus and in culinary contexts to denote a single-serving portion of poultry.
• It is typically prepared and served whole, often trussed.

Variants and Related Words

• Cornish hen (n): A common shortened form of "rock Cornish hen," though technically a Cornish hen is a specific breed, while a rock Cornish hen is a crossbreed. In general usage, the terms are often used interchangeably to mean a small, young chicken for roasting.
• Poussin (n): A French culinary term for a very young chicken, similar in size and preparation to a rock Cornish hen.

Synonyms

• Young chicken
• Small roasting chicken

Notes on Meaning

• Rock Cornish hen specifically denotes the or the , not the live bird. The live bird is a "rock Cornish" or "Cornish cross" chicken.
• It is a marketing and culinary name for a specific type of poultry product, valued for its individual portion size and tenderness.

Noun

1. flesh of a small fowl bred for roasting