Zesty Grilled Herbed Cornish Game Hens
Experience the delightful flavors of summer with these Zesty Grilled Herbed Cornish Game Hens. Marinated in a fragrant blend of fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil, these hens are grilled to perfection, resulting in crispy, golden skin and juicy meat that's bursting with flavor. Perfectly suited for gatherings, this dish is sure to impress your guests and make any meal feel special! Serve these hens drizzled with a zesty lemon oil for an extra kick that brightens the entire dish. Enjoy them alongside your favorite vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete feast.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornish hens
4-6 (Remove the backbone and flatten.)
kosher salt
to taste (For seasoning.)
freshly ground black pepper
to taste (For seasoning.)
extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup (Divided.)
garlic cloves
2 large (Flattened.)
minced fresh thyme
2 tablespoons (For seasoning.)
minced fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon (For seasoning.)
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (For drizzling.)
Instructions
1
Preheat a gas grill to high heat. Using poultry shears, carefully remove the backbone of each Cornish hen by cutting along either side through the ribs. After removing the backbone, turn the hen skin side up and press firmly on the breastbone to flatten the birds. Rinse each hen under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
2
Arrange the flattened hens on a large shallow baking sheet and season generously on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. To prevent burning, tuck the wingtips underneath the breasts.
3
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, crushed garlic, a generous amount of black pepper, and all but 1 teaspoon of the minced thyme and rosemary. Mix well, then use a brush to apply the oil mixture liberally to both sides of the hens, adding more pepper as desired.
4
Place the hens skin side down on the hot grill. Grill uncovered until the skin forms beautiful grill marks, about 3 minutes, then rotate each hen a quarter turn to create a crosshatch pattern. After achieving the desired grill marks, flip the hens over to sear the second side for approximately 4 minutes.
5
Once flipped, sprinkle the skin side of the hens with the reserved thyme, rosemary, and a touch of salt. Close the lid and reduce the grill heat to medium. Continue cooking until the hens are cooked through and the skin is crispy and golden, checking that an instant-read thermometer reads 180°F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes.
6
Once cooked, transfer the hens to a large serving platter. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Drizzle the zesty lemon oil over the hens just before serving for a bright finish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Grilled Herbed Cornish Game Hens?
They are hens marinated in a fragrant blend of fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil, then grilled until crispy and juicy.
How many Cornish hens are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4-6 Cornish hens.
How do I prepare the hens before grilling?
You should remove the backbone using poultry shears, flatten the birds by pressing on the breastbone, rinse them, and pat them dry.
What tool is best for removing the backbone?
Poultry shears are recommended for cutting along either side of the backbone through the ribs.
Why should I flatten the hens?
Flattening the hens allows them to cook more evenly on the grill and achieve better skin contact.
What type of salt is recommended for seasoning?
Kosher salt is specified for seasoning the hens.
How do I prevent the wingtips from burning?
Tuck the wingtips underneath the breasts before placing the hens on the grill.
How much olive oil is required for the entire recipe?
A total of 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil is used, divided into two parts.
How many garlic cloves are in the marinade?
Two large garlic cloves, which should be flattened and crushed.
What fresh herbs are used in the seasoning?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of minced fresh thyme and 1 tablespoon of minced fresh rosemary.
How do I prepare the herbed oil mixture?
Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, crushed garlic, black pepper, and most of the minced herbs in a small bowl.
At what temperature should the gas grill be preheated?
The grill should be preheated to high heat.
Which side of the hen should be grilled first?
Place the hens skin side down on the hot grill first.
How long should the skin side grill initially?
Grill the skin side for about 3 minutes before rotating.
How do I create a crosshatch pattern on the skin?
After the first 3 minutes, rotate each hen a quarter turn and continue grilling.
How long do I sear the second side after flipping?
Sear the second side for approximately 4 minutes.
What should I add to the skin after flipping the hens?
Sprinkle the skin side with the reserved thyme, rosemary, and a touch of salt.
When should I close the grill lid?
Close the lid after flipping the hens and adding the final seasonings.
Should I change the grill temperature after closing the lid?
Yes, reduce the grill heat to medium after closing the lid.
What is the target internal temperature for the hens?
The hens are done when an instant-read thermometer reads 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where is the best place to check the temperature of the hen?
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.
How long does the final cooking stage take?
It typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes after the heat is reduced to medium.
How do I make the zesty lemon oil?
Whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
When should the lemon oil be applied?
Drizzle the zesty lemon oil over the hens just before serving.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
The recipe specifies fresh thyme and rosemary for the best flavor and fragrance.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The garlic cloves should be flattened before being added to the oil mixture.
What is a good side dish for these hens?
They are excellent served alongside your favorite vegetables or a fresh salad.
How do I ensure the skin is crispy?
Grilling skin-side down on high heat and finishing on medium heat with the lid closed helps achieve crispy skin.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for both the marinade and the finishing drizzle.
How should the hens be presented?
Transfer them to a large serving platter and drizzle with the bright lemon oil finish.