Cornish Hens with Lemon and Herbs

• 2 Cornish hens (about 1 3/4 pounds each), room temperature, rinsed well and patted dry
• 1 bunch fresh thyme (about 1/2 ounce), plus more for garnish
• 2 lemons, halved, plus wedges for serving
• 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 450F.
2. Place hens in a roasting pan, breast sides up.
3. Place 2 thyme sprigs and 1 lemon half in cavity of each hen.
4. Loosen skin from breast, and place remaining thyme and the parsley underneath.
5. Squeeze remaining lemon halves over hens.
6. Rub butter all over hens.
7. Season generously with salt and pepper.
8. Roast hens, rotating pan halfway through, until skin turns golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180F, 45 to 50 minutes.
9. Let stand 10 minutes.
10. Cut hens in half lengthwise.
11. Garnish with thyme sprigs, and serve with lemon wedges.

cornish hens, thyme, lemons, parsley, unsalted butter, salt

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cornish-hens-with-lemon-and-herbs-392620 (may not work)