Grilling a cornish game hen requires butterflying the bird, marinating it with your preferred spices, then grilling it over medium heat until cooked through, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Want a delightful, quick meal that feels special? Grilling a cornish game hen is the perfect choice. These small birds offer a wonderful alternative to chicken and are simple to prepare.
The process is surprisingly easy, and the result is a tender, flavorful main course. You’ll quickly learn how to grill a cornish game hen and impress your family and friends.
How to Grill a Cornish Game Hen: A Step-by-Step Guide
Grilling a Cornish game hen might sound fancy, but it’s actually quite simple and produces a wonderfully delicious meal. These small birds are perfect for individual servings and are packed with flavor. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your grilled Cornish hens are juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked. Let’s get started!
Selecting Your Cornish Game Hens
Before you even think about firing up the grill, you need to choose your Cornish hens. Here’s what to look for:
Fresh vs. Frozen
- Fresh Hens: These are usually found in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. They are great if you plan to cook them within a day or two. Look for plump birds with smooth, pale skin.
- Frozen Hens: Frozen hens are a great option if you want to cook them later. Just make sure to thaw them completely in the refrigerator before grilling. This process can take up to 24 hours, so plan ahead.
Size and Appearance
- Size: Cornish hens are typically small, about 1 to 2 pounds each. Choose birds that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Appearance: The skin should look smooth and pale, without any bruising or tears. Avoid hens with a slimy or off-putting smell.
Preparing the Cornish Game Hens for Grilling
Proper preparation is key to a successful grilled Cornish hen. Let’s go through the necessary steps:
Thawing (If Necessary)
If your hens are frozen, the first thing you have to do is thaw them. The best and safest way to thaw them is to leave them in the refrigerator overnight, it takes about 24 hours. You should not thaw at room temperature as it can cause the growth of harmful bacteria. You can use the cold water method if you are in hurry. Place the frozen hens in the a water tight bag, or container and submerge them in cold water, change the water every 30 minutes, until the hens are thawed. This process may take 2-3 hours, depending on the size of hens.
Rinsing and Drying
Once thawed, rinse the hens under cold water. Pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels, inside and out. This is very important, because dry skin will help the hens get that nice crispy texture when you grill them.
Trimming
Look for any excess fat or loose skin around the cavity opening. Trim this away with kitchen shears. This prevents flare-ups on the grill and helps with even cooking.
Spatchcocking (Optional but Recommended)
Spatchcocking or butterflying the hens involves removing the backbone. This helps them lay flat on the grill and cook more evenly. To spatchcock:
- Place the hen breast-side down on a cutting board.
- Use kitchen shears to cut along one side of the backbone.
- Repeat on the other side, removing the backbone completely.
- Open the hen like a book and press down firmly to flatten it.
Spatchcocking allows the hen to grill faster and more evenly, resulting in juicy meat and crispy skin.
Marinating or Seasoning
Now comes the fun part, adding flavor. You have two options, marinating or seasoning. Marinating adds moisture and flavor, or you can simply season them. Here are some ideas:
Marinating
A good marinade will soak the hens in delicious flavor. Combine the ingredients in a bowl or bag, and then put the hens inside the container or bag. Make sure the hens are well coated with the marinade and then refrigerate for 1-4 hours. Longer the marinating time more flavourful the hen will be, but make sure not to over do it.
- Simple Lemon Herb Marinade: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Sweet and Savory Marinade: Mix soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, and a bit of sesame oil.
- Spicy Marinade: Combine chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and olive oil.
Seasoning
If you prefer a simpler approach, just season the hens with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices you enjoy. Make sure you get the seasoning all over the hens, including inside cavity.
- Salt and Pepper: A classic combination that enhances the natural flavor of the hen.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: Adds a savory depth.
- Herbs de Provence: A mix of dried herbs that provides a wonderful aroma.
- Paprika: Offers a hint of smoky flavor and a nice color.
Setting Up Your Grill
The way you set up your grill is crucial for perfectly cooked Cornish hens. Here’s what to consider:
Type of Grill
- Charcoal Grill: Provides a smoky flavor and high heat. Arrange the coals for indirect cooking (more on that below).
- Gas Grill: Offers consistent heat control. You can use multiple burners to create different heat zones.
- Pellet Grill: Combines the convenience of gas with some of the smoky flavor of charcoal.
Setting Up Zones for Indirect Heat
Grilling Cornish game hens over direct heat will quickly burn the skin before the inside is cooked. The best way to achieve perfectly cooked hens, with a crispy skin, is by using indirect heat. This means cooking the hens away from the direct flame. Here is how you can achieve this:
For Charcoal Grill
On a charcoal grill, you will need to create a two zone fire. Arrange the hot coals on one side of the grill, leaving the other side empty. This will allow you to have a direct cooking zone, and a indirect cooking zone. The hens will be cooked on the indirect side, allowing them to cook through slowly without burning the skin.
For Gas Grill
On a gas grill, light one or two burners, depending on the size of your grill. Then place your hens over the unlit burners. This method will allow them to cook evenly without burning the skin.
Preheating
Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350-400°F or 175-200°C). Use a grill thermometer to check the temperature. It’s important that the grill is preheated for even cooking.
Grilling the Cornish Game Hens
Now that everything is set up, it’s time to grill those hens. Follow these steps for the best results:
Placement on the Grill
Place the Cornish game hens on the grill, skin-side up (if spatchcocked) or breast-side up if they are not spatchcocked, over the indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, put the hens on the side that has no coals. If using a gas grill, put the hens over the unlit burner.
Grilling Time
How long to grill the hens depends on their size and the temperature of your grill. A general guideline is to cook the hens for 45-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh, making sure it’s not touching the bone.
During grilling:
- Baste: If you’re using a marinade, baste the hens every 15-20 minutes with the leftover marinade. This will add more flavor and keep the hens moist.
- Rotate: If the grill has hot spots, you may need to rotate the hens to ensure they cook evenly.
- Avoid Flare-Ups: Keep an eye out for flare-ups from dripping fat. Move the hens to a cooler part of the grill, if necessary, or close the lid to smother the flames.
Achieving Crispy Skin
For extra crispy skin, you can move the hens over direct heat for the last few minutes of grilling. Watch them closely and don’t burn the skin. This will give the hens a beautiful color and texture.
Checking for Doneness
The best way to know if the hens are done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh, making sure you don’t touch the bone. The internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C). The juices should run clear when pierced with a fork or skewer.
Resting and Serving Your Grilled Cornish Game Hens
After grilling, it’s very important to let the hens rest before serving.
Resting
Remove the hens from the grill and place them on a cutting board. Tent them loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in moist and tender meat.
Serving
Serve the grilled Cornish game hens whole or cut them in half with kitchen shears. They are delicious with a variety of sides. Here are some great options:
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice pilaf
- Salad
Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, for a beautiful presentation.
Grilling Cornish game hens is a great way to impress your family and friends with a relatively easy meal. By using this guide you can achieve a perfectly cooked game hen every time. The key is to select fresh and good hens, prepare them properly by thawing, spatchcocking, and seasoning/marinating them. Also it is very important that you set your grill for indirect heat, baste the hens while cooking, and resting them before serving, to get the juicy and delicious meat.
Grilled Cornish Hens: A Delicious Recipe You Need To Try!
Final Thoughts
Grilling cornish game hens involves prepping the bird with oil and seasonings, then placing it on a medium-heat grill. Ensure even cooking by flipping it occasionally until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Proper grilling produces juicy and flavorful hens.
The key to perfectly grilled cornish game hen is temperature control. Avoid high heat which can quickly burn the skin, and focus on maintaining a steady medium heat. This allows the bird to cook thoroughly without drying out. Therefore, that’s how to grill a cornish game hen successfully.
