Copycat Dolly Parton’s Stampede Chicken
Seasoned to perfection and super tender and juicy, just one bite of this copycat Dolly Parton's Stampede Chicken recipe will make you want to hoot and holler and STAMPEDE! This Dixie stampede chicken uses a brining technique that makes this recipe restaurant-worthy!
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 657kcal
Ingredients
- 4 Cornish game hens
- Brine Solution 1 gallon water + ⅓-1/2 cup kosher salt
- ⅓-1/2 cup garlic butter room temperature
- 4 lemon wedges
- 4 garlic cloves halved
- 4 sprigs each fresh rosemary and thyme
- 2 tablespoon olive oil optional
- ¼ cup poultry rub
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Whisk together brine solution and submerge the chickens. Brine in the refrigerator a minimum of 8 hours.
- Remove the chickens from the brine and dry well with a paper towel. Place both chickens on a wire rack on top of a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil.
- Gently lift the skin from the chicken breasts and legs. Evenly distribute the garlic butter between the skin and meat and on top of the skin. Add the lemon, garlic and fresh herbs inside the carcass. Season the outside skin and inside the carcass with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. If you'd like, drizzle olive oil on the outside skin.
- Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F and bake an additional 35-40, or until the breast registers with an internal temp of 165°F. In Dixie Stampede fashion, eat it with your fingers while it’s hot!
Video
Notes
Nutrition information is an approximation due to Cornish game hens come in various sizes. The hens in this video produced about 8 ounces of meat.
My Tips:
- Flaky Poultry seasoning is just that, flaky. Make sure if you're using ground that you adjust the volume to your desired palate. It will be more concentrated.
- Brining is an essential step in ensuring your meat is super tender and juicy!
- Cornish game hens are typically located in the freezer meat section at a store. When I thaw them at home, it can take 3-5 days, so this is definitely a meal you'll want to plan ahead for!
- This recipe can also be made with one 5-6 pound roaster chicken. Follow the same instructions for prep then bake at 425°F for 1 ½ hours, or until the thickest part of the breast registers at 165°F.
- This recipe can also be made in an Instant Pot. Karen at 365 Days of Slow Cooking and Pressure Cooking adopted my recipe into her Instant Pot Dolly Parton Stampede Chicken.
Nutrition
Serving: 1hen | Calories: 657kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 268mg | Sodium: 260mg | Potassium: 572mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg
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