Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 2

　　2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

　　2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

　　1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

　　1/4 teaspoon cayenne

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　a pinch sugar

　　two 1 1/2 pound Cornish hens, split lengthwise

　　

Step 1

Preheat oven to 450°F.

　　

Step 2

In a small bowl stir together butter, chili powder, lemon juice, cayenne, salt, and sugar. Rinse and pat hens dry and arrange, skin sides up, on a rack of a broiler pan. Loosen skin near breastbones and rub about 1 teaspoon chili butter under skin of each breast. Rub remaining chili butter on skin and roast hens in middle of oven until juices run clear when fleshy part of a thigh is pierced, about 25 minutes.