Want to serve a delicious dinner? Try serving your guests smoked Cornish hens. Cornish hens are perfectly sized for individual portions. And because they are smaller, they’ll be quicker to cook, leaving you plenty of time to prepare other dishes or sides.
They are perfect for a holiday meal as they look impressive on the table, or you can serve them up for a dinner party or for a simple cookout.
Table of contents
What Is a Cornish Hen?
Cornish hens or Cornish game hens are essentially miniature chickens. Cornish hens came about in the 1950s. They are the result of crossbreeding two different broiler hens.
The result is a fast-maturing hen with larger breast meat and fattier skin. Both males and females are harvested, usually when they are around 4-5 weeks old or 1-2 pounds in size.
As they are smaller at harvesting, they have a distinctive flavor and texture. Quite different from larger, full-grown chickens. They have a higher ratio of dark meat to white meat and skin to meat.
What’s the Difference Between Chicken and Cornish Hens?
In short, very little. The only difference is the age. Cornish hens are broiler chickens – male or female – consumed when they are several weeks old.
Usually, no more than two pounds in weight. They are genetically designed to develop larger breast meat in a short space of time.
Where Can You Buy Cornish Hens?
Most supermarkets stock frozen hens, but sourcing fresh is a little more challenging. This is where your friendly butcher comes in handy. Plan ahead and give your butcher a bit of time to order some fresh hens for you.
What Ingredients You Need
- Cornish Hens
- Cooking Oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
How to Smoke Cornish Game Hens
Step 1 – Spatchcock the Hen
Remove from the packaging and check for any stray giblets in the cavity. Chances are slim there will be anything, but it’s always best to check!
If frozen, leave to thaw completely. Rinse with cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. The next step is to spatchock the hens. Spatchcocking is a great way to ensure your Cornish hens cook evenly.
Using kitchen shears, you cut along each side of the backbone and remove it, then flip the hen and press hard so it lays flat.
Step 2 – Season
Once you have spatchcock the hens, rub them with a binder like oil or mustard; this helps the rub to stick. Take your rub and cover the hen, making sure you fully cover it.
Season a couple of hours before smoking and place uncovered in the fridge. You can even season it the night before and leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
Take them out of the refrigerator an hour or so before cooking to bring them up to room temperature.
Preheat the grill to 225°F and add wood chip pellets to the hopper. I like to use mild fruitwood for poultry, such as applewood or cherrywood.
Step 3 – Smoke
Place the hen breast side down on the preheated grill grates and close the lid. Smoke for about 2 hours at 225°F or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 145°F.
Then turn the grill up to 360°F and cook until 165°F internal temperature is reached.
Step 4 – Serve
Remove the hens from the grill and cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes then serve individually and enjoy!
How to Spatchcock Cornish Hens
Spatchcocking is a great way to ensure your Cornish hens cook evenly. Using kitchen shears you cut along each side of the backbone and remove it, then flip the hen and press hard so it lays flat.
How Long Do They Take to Smoke?
For best results, start out smoking at 225°F until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (this takes about an hour and a half).
Then, raise the temperature of your smoker to 350°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (this takes about 15-20 minutes).
Cornish hens are quite small, so they won’t take long in the smoker. A couple of hours is all that you’ll need for these beauties. This will give you nice, crispy skin. While also sealing in the gorgeous natural juices and amazing smoke flavor.
What Temperature to Smoke Hens At?
To cook hens, set your smoker to 225°F. If you’re using a Traeger, enable the super smoke function.
How Do I Stop Them From Drying Out?
Brining the hens beforehand is the best way to keep the bird juicy and moist. Ensure the birds are at room temperature before placing them on the grill.
That way, they will cook evenly and without dry spots. Keep the cooking temperatures even. Remove them as soon as they hit the right internal temperatures.
How to Know When They Are Cooked?
When the internal temperature reaches 165°F, the hens are ready to eat. Probe with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast or thigh. You can remove it from the grill at 160°F and let it rest covered in aluminum foil until it reaches 165°F.
What Wood Chips Are Recommended?
Sweet, subtle flavors like apple, pecan, or cherry work well with delicate white meat. Of course, you can experiment with your favorites and see what combination you like best.
What to Serve With it
Here are some of my favorite sides for smoked hen.
Traeger Grilled Carrots With Brown Butter
Smoked Cornish Game Hens
Equipment
- Pellet smoker
Ingredients
- 4 whole Cornish Hens
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 2 tbsp BBQ Rub
Instructions
- Remove from the packaging and check for any stray giblets in the cavity. Chances are slim there will be anything, but it’s always best to check!
- If frozen, leave to thaw completely. Rinse with cool water and pat dry with a paper towel. The next step is to spatchock the hens. Spatchcocking is a great way to ensure your Cornish hens cook evenly.
- Using kitchen shears, you cut along each side of the backbone and remove it, then flip the hen and press hard so it lays flat.
- smoked-cornish-hen-recipe
- how-long-does-it-take-to-smoke-a-cornish-hen
- Step 2 – Season
- Once you have spatchcock the hens, rub them with a binder like oil or mustard; this helps the rub to stick. Take your rub and cover the hen, making sure you fully cover it.
- Season a couple of hours before smoking and place uncovered in the fridge. You can even season it the night before and leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
- Take them out of the refrigerator an hour or so before cooking to bring them up to room temperature.
- Preheat the grill to 225°F and add wood chip pellets to the hopper. I like to use mild fruitwood for poultry, such as applewood or cherrywood.
- smoked-cornish-hens-recipes
- Step 3 – Smoke
- Place the hen breast side down on the preheated grill grates and close the lid. Smoke for about 2 hours at 225°F or until the internal temperature of the breast reaches 145°F.
- Then turn the grill up to 360°F and cook until 165°F internal temperature is reached.
- smoked-cornish-game-hen-recipe
- Step 4 – Serve
- Remove the hens from the grill and cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes then serve individually and enjoy!
Smoked Cornish hens are as easy as they come.
A great way of serving up something a little different for your dinner guests.
Experiment with some flavor and smoke combinations and give them a try today!
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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