Grilled Honey-Infused Herb Cornish Game Hens
Elevate your dining experience with these exquisitely grilled Cornish game hens, marinated in a delightful blend of honey and fresh herbs. This dish is perfect for romantic evenings, festive dinner parties, or special occasions where you want to impress your guests with a sophisticated yet uncomplicated meal. The combination of juicy dark and succulent white meat, coupled with the fragrant herbs and sweet honey glaze, creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Try grilling them when the weather is warm for an added smoky flavor that takes this dish to the next level.
8
Servings
300
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornish game hens
4 (1 1/2 lb) (Rinsed, patted dry, backbone removed, halved)
Oil
2 tablespoons (For greasing the pan)
Lemon juice
2 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
Honey
2 tablespoons (For glaze)
Fresh thyme
2 teaspoons (Chopped)
Fresh oregano
2 teaspoons (Chopped)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare your grill for indirect heat.
2
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Carefully remove the backbone using kitchen shears and split each hen through the breastbone, trimming any excess skin or fat as needed.
3
In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, honey, chopped thyme, and chopped oregano until well combined. Set aside half of this marinade for later.
4
Rub the remaining marinade all over the hens, ensuring they are coated evenly. Season the hens with salt and pepper.
5
If using the oven, place the hens skin side down in a shallow, preheated pan for the initial cooking. Bake for 30 minutes.
6
Flip the hens over, brush with the reserved marinade, and continue baking for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C).
7
For grilling, place the hens on the grill away from the direct flames, cooking them for about 40-50 minutes total, flipping halfway and periodically brushing with the marinade, until they reach the desired internal temperature.
8
Once finished cooking, allow the hens to rest for a few minutes before transferring them onto a serving platter.
9
If desired, drain the drippings into a fat separator or skim off any excess fat and serve with the hens.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
20g
Carbs
30g
Protein
1g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of these Cornish game hens?
These hens feature a delightful blend of sweet honey and fresh aromatic herbs like thyme and oregano, balanced with a hint of lemon juice.
How many hens do I need for 8 servings?
You need 4 Cornish game hens, each weighing about 1.5 lbs, as each hen is split into two halves.
What is the first step in preparing the hens?
The first step is to rinse the hens under cold water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels.
How do I remove the backbone?
Use kitchen shears to carefully cut along both sides of the backbone and remove it.
What is the purpose of splitting the hens through the breastbone?
Splitting the hens allows them to lay flat for more even cooking and easier portioning.
How do I make the honey-infused marinade?
Whisk together 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 teaspoons each of chopped thyme and oregano.
Should I use all the marinade at once?
No, you should set aside half of the marinade to brush onto the hens later during the cooking process.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How do I season the hens besides the marinade?
After coating them with the marinade, season the hens with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
How should the hens be placed in the pan for the initial oven cooking?
Place the hens skin side down in a shallow, preheated pan for the initial 30 minutes of baking.
How long is the total baking time in the oven?
The hens bake for 30 minutes skin side down, then another 20 to 30 minutes after flipping, for a total of 50 to 60 minutes.
What do I do after the first 30 minutes of baking?
Flip the hens over, brush them with the reserved marinade, and continue baking.
What is the target internal temperature for the hens?
The internal temperature should reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius) to ensure they are fully cooked.
How do I prepare the grill for this recipe?
Prepare your grill for indirect heat to ensure the hens cook through without burning the honey glaze.
How long does grilling take?
Grilling typically takes about 40 to 50 minutes total when using indirect heat.
How often should I brush the hens while grilling?
Flip the hens halfway through the cooking time and periodically brush them with the reserved marinade.
Why should I let the hens rest after cooking?
Resting the meat for a few minutes allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the hens remain succulent and flavorful.
What can I do with the pan drippings?
You can drain the drippings into a fat separator, skim off excess fat, and serve the liquid alongside the hens.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
There are 30 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
Each serving contains 15 grams of fat.
What are the carbohydrate and sugar counts?
Each serving has 20 grams of carbohydrates and 6 grams of sugar.
Is there any fiber in this dish?
Yes, there is 1 gram of fiber per serving.
Which fresh herbs are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for fresh thyme and fresh oregano, both finely chopped.
What amount of lemon juice is required?
You will need 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the marinade.
Is this recipe suitable for a formal event?
Yes, it is designed for festive dinner parties, romantic evenings, or special occasions where you want to impress guests.
Can I use different seasonings for this dish?
While this recipe uses thyme and oregano, the base method of honey and lemon works well with many different herb combinations.
What kind of meat do Cornish game hens provide?
Cornish game hens offer a combination of juicy dark meat and succulent white meat.
What kind of cooking method adds a smoky flavor?
Grilling the hens over indirect heat adds an extra smoky flavor that elevates the dish.
How do I ensure the hens don't dry out?
By using the honey-oil marinade and ensuring you don't exceed the internal temperature of 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the hens will stay moist.