Smoked Cornish Game Hens
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Cornish game hens are a quick and easy meal that makes any dinner time feel like a special occasion.
These little birds take on a whole new flavor profile when prepared in a smoker, and are a nice alternative to the same old chicken or holiday turkey.
In this recipe, I’ll show you how to smoke Cornish game hens that result in a tender, juicy bite every time.
Smoked Cornish game hens
What are Cornish game hens?
Cornish game hens are essentially small, mature chickens. Originally cross-bred between regular Cornish chickens and White Plymouth Rock hens in the 1950s, the subsequently dubbed “Cornish game hen” matures very quickly.
Their quick maturity results in a heartier flavor, characterized by large breasts and fatty skin, which gives the Cornish game hens a juicy texture that can be lacking in larger chickens.
Cornish game hens must weigh between one and two pounds and must be slaughtered before five weeks of age. They can be male or female.
Where to buy Cornish game hens
Most chain grocers carry Cornish game hens in the meat section of their frozen departments, but it’s more difficult to find fresh versions on a daily basis.
Contact your local butcher ahead of your planned cook if you’d rather use fresh birds. The grocery butcher may be able to source these for you as well.
How to make smoked Cornish game hens
1. The rub
Most birds do not come with giblets, but there’s been a time or two you’ll find a small giblet pack stuffed into the cavity as you would a turkey, so be sure to check.
For the rub, I mixed unsalted butter with our homemade BBQ chicken rub.
Using your finger, gently pull the skin away from the breast, being careful not to tear it. Put half a tablespoon of the butter mixture between the skin and the meat of each bird, on each breast side.
Slather the remaining butter all over the outside of both hens.
2. Fire up the smoker
Fire up your grill to 275°F.
I smoked it on the Burch Barrell using Fogo charcoal and cherry wood chunks.
The Burch Barrel features a unique design that allows you to raise the lid with the grill grate, enabling you to move the food further away from the heat source for better control.
You can also lower and raise the basket that holds the charcoal.
Cornish game hens cook relatively quickly, so it’s essential to keep an eye on their internal temperature. I check the thigh meat and also the deep breast meat.
3. Smoking
Once the smoker is up to temperature, arrange the hens on the grates and smoke for roughly one hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Once the Cornish game hens have reached an internal temperature of 165°F, remove them from the smoker and tent them with foil. Let them rest for 15 minutes to redistribute juices.
Serving the hens
The hens are small enough to serve on a plate as-is for each person, or you can carve them like a turkey.
Want to stick to some traditional holiday dishes?
Smoked Cornish Game Hens
Ingredients
- 2 cornish game hens - 1 ½ – 2 lbs
- 1 stick butter - unsalted, room temperature
- 3 tbsp smoked chicken rub - or a store-bought poultry seasoning.
Instructions
- Pat each hen dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the butter and rub until well combined.
- Pull the skin away from the breast meat using your finger, being careful not to tear it.
- Put ½ tbsp butter on each side of breast meat in each bird.
- Coat each bird with remaining butter.
- Prepare smoker to 275°F.
- Arrange hens on grates and close the smoker.
- Smoked the hens for about an hour or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F at the thickest part of breast and thigh.
- Remove from smoker, tent with foil and let rest at least 15 minutes.
- Serve whole or carved.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation only. If you’re worried you could always add a side of kale.
About Your Pitmaster
Jordan Hanger is a grilling enthusiast known for bold, approachable recipes that blend American and Asian BBQ. Growing up with an American dad and Korean mom, he developed a love for fusion flavors, inspiring his brand, Ninjacue.
With over over one million followers on social media, Jordan makes great barbecue fun and accessible for everyone.
Awesome recipe! When the hens were ready to eat; they were so juicy and full of flavor. Best ever hens I’ve eaten.