Grilled Cornish Game Hens Recipe

Cornish game hens: Small, tender birds that are perfect for grilling.

Olive oil: Adds moisture and helps to create a crispy skin.

Lemon juice: Provides a fresh, tangy flavor that complements the hens.

Garlic: Adds a rich, aromatic depth to the marinade.

Rosemary: A fragrant herb that pairs well with poultry.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and balances the flavors.

When preparing Cornish game hens for grilling, consider spatchcocking them. This technique involves removing the backbone and flattening the hens, which allows for more even cooking and a shorter grilling time. To spatchcock, use kitchen shears to cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it. Then, press down on the breastbone to flatten the bird. This method ensures that the hens cook evenly and the skin crisps up beautifully.

• cornish game hens - Substitute with small chickens: Small chickens, like poussin, have a similar size and texture, making them a suitable alternative.

• cornish game hens - Substitute with quail: Quail are smaller but offer a similar gamey flavor, though you may need more to match the quantity.

• olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it a good alternative for grilling.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil is rich and has a high smoke point, suitable for grilling and adds a subtle flavor.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and brightness, though with a slightly different citrus note.

• lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers acidity and a mild flavor, making it a good stand-in for lemon juice.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish similarly to garlic.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though you may need to adjust the quantity for flavor intensity.

• rosemary - Substitute with thyme: Thyme has a similar earthy flavor and can be used in the same quantity as rosemary.

• rosemary - Substitute with sage: Sage offers a robust, slightly peppery flavor that can complement the dish well.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt has a similar flavor but may require slight adjustments in quantity due to its coarser texture.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a similar taste but may have a slightly different texture and mineral content.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, often used in lighter-colored dishes.

• black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a different flavor, so use sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

• Allow the grilled Cornish game hens to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.

• Wrap each hen tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.

• Place the wrapped hens in an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing.

• Label the container or bag with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of how long the hens have been stored.

• Store the hens in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer, where they can be kept for up to 3 months.

• When ready to reheat, thaw frozen hens in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture and flavor of the meat.

• Reheat the hens in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This ensures they are safe to eat and restores their delicious flavor.

• For a quick meal, you can also reheat the hens in the microwave. Place them on a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap, and heat on medium power until warmed through.

• Serve the reheated hens with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad. This makes for a delightful and satisfying meal.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  2. Place the leftover Cornish game hens in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp up the skin.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the Cornish game hens on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 3-4 minutes per hen, checking halfway through.
  4. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil.
  2. Place the Cornish game hens in the skillet, skin side down.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to trap steam and heat for about 10-15 minutes.
  4. Flip the hens halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
  2. Place the Cornish game hens in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  4. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F.
  2. Place the Cornish game hens in a vacuum-sealed bag.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 1 hour.
  4. Remove from the bag and sear in a hot skillet with olive oil for 1-2 minutes per side to crisp up the skin.

• Grill: Used to cook the Cornish game hens, providing a smoky flavor and crispy skin.

• Small bowl: Used to mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

• Basting brush: Used to brush the hens with the olive oil mixture, ensuring they are well-coated.

• Tongs: Used to flip the hens on the grill safely and easily.

• Meat thermometer: Used to check the internal temperature of the hens to ensure they reach 165°F.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to rest the hens after grilling.

• Knife: Used to mince the garlic and chop the rosemary.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the olive oil and lemon juice accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt, pepper, and rosemary accurately.

Prepare the marinade ahead: Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper the night before to save time on the day of grilling.

Spatchcock the hens: Cut out the backbone and flatten the hens for more even and quicker cooking.

Preheat the grill properly: Ensure the grill is at the right temperature before placing the hens to avoid delays in cooking time.

Use a meat thermometer: Check the internal temperature quickly to ensure the hens are cooked perfectly without overcooking.

Rest the hens: Let the hens rest for 10 minutes after grilling to retain juices and flavor.