Grilled Cornish Hens

Cornish hens, or Cornish game hens, as they’re commonly known, look a lot like tiny chickens. Here’s the funny part: That’s exactly what they are. Initially a breed of chickens with a lineage from Cornwall, England, Cornish hens today are merely young chickens. So if these small birds seem exotic and intimidating, the simple truth is that they are neither Cornish nor game hens. In fact, they may not be hens at all (hens are strictly female birds). The FDA identifies a Cornish game hen as a young chicken, either male or female, that weighs up to 2 pounds and is under five weeks old.

Now that you know Cornish game hens aren’t at all exotic, they should no longer be intimidating. However, just because the Cornish game hen has been demystified doesn’t mean it isn’t noteworthy. Harvesting the chickens at an early age means the meat is tender, succulent and delicious. This grilled Cornish hen recipe produces complex, deep flavors that will undoubtedly confirm why these birds are so special.

Ingredients for Grilled Cornish Hens

• Butter: The butter is softened and combined with seasoning and herbs to butter the hens before grilling. Buttering on top of and under the skin will impart flavor, help retain moisture and produce crispy, golden-brown skin.
• Green onions: Like our hens, green onions are harvested early for a milder flavor that enhances almost any savory recipe.
• Parsley: Fresh minced parsley adds a bright and peppery flavor to savory dishes. Mixing parsley with butter and seasonings can flavor countless recipes, including these grilled Cornish hens.
• Ginger: Fresh, grated ginger root adds a warm, spicy, refreshingly zesty flavor to grilled poultry, giving it a more profound and more complex profile.
• Garlic: Garlic adds a spicy, fragrant and pungent flavor that complements the herbs and spices in this recipe. Try to use fresh minced garlic when possible, but garlic powder can be substituted for a similar flavor.
• Cornish game hens: You’ll want four hens, 20 to 24 ounces each. Cornish hens can often be found stored in the freezers in supermarket meat sections. They’re commonly sold in packs of two.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the butter

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine the softened butter, green onions, parsley, ginger, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.

Step 2: Butter the bird

Carefully rub the butter mixture under the skin and over the top of each game hen. Sprinkle the remaining salt and pepper inside the hen cavities.

Step 3: Prep the grill

Moisten a paper towel with cooking oil, and use long-handled tongs to lightly coat the grill rack. Set up your grill for indirect heat, adding a drip pan to collect the juices, and get the grill temperature up to 375° to 400°F.

Step 4: Grill the game hens

Place the hens on the grill rack breast side up, directly over the drip pan. Grill them, covered, over indirect medium heat until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh reads 170° to 175° and the meat juices run clear, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the hens from the grill and let them sit for 10 minutes to allow the juices to settle before serving.

Grilled Cornish Hen Variations

• Make them spicy: Mix red pepper flakes, hot paprika or cayenne pepper into the butter mixture to impart a bit of fiery heat to the game hens.
• Stuff them: Fill the hens with wild rice and cooked crumbled sausage, wild mushrooms or root vegetables to get a savory side dish cooked in the hen’s juices.
• Smoke them: Cook the Cornish hens on a smoker, or place some pecan or apple wood chips in a foil pan on the grill to give the hens a sweet layer of smoky flavor.

How to Store Grilled Cornish Hens

Let the hens cool completely before placing them in an airtight container and refrigerating them for up to four days. To reheat, cover the hens with foil and cook in a 350° oven until heated through.

Can you freeze grilled Cornish game hens?

You can, indeed! Wrap the hens in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of foil, and place them into a freezer-safe zipper bag. The Cornish game hens will freeze safely for up to three months. Thaw the meat in the refrigerator overnight, and reheat it as directed above.

Grilled Cornish Hen Tips

How do you get crispy skin on stuffed Cornish game hens?

Buttering the bird will help the skin to brown and crisp up while grilling. If you notice the skin isn’t getting crispy, sprinkle some baking powder over the bird. The baking powder will help with browning and crisping up the skin.

Can I spatchcock Cornish hens?

Yes! If spatchcocking is your preferred way to grill whole chickens, feel free to use that technique when grilling a Cornish hen.

Do you need a meat thermometer for Cornish hen grilling recipes?

Not necessarily, but meat thermometers are extremely helpful when cooking all meats, especially poultry. When using a meat thermometer properly, it will take all the guesswork out of the cooking process to ensure the hens are cooked to temperature and not overcooked.

Can I brine Cornish game hens?

Absolutely. Brining protects lean meat from becoming overcooked and dry, leaving you with perfectly grilled, moist and juicy, grilled Cornish hens.