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These Cornish Game Hens are marinated in a blend of apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and other spices, then grilled until they are perfectly juicy and tender. It's the perfect quick and easy grilling recipe!
This recipe was originally posted in December 2016. It has been updated for photos and content.
These grilled Cornish Game Hens are super moist and flavorful, with perfectly crispy, browned skin. With an overnight marinade, these Cornish hens pack a punch of tangy flavor and are just perfection on the grill!
I don't know about you guys, but I love having my own personal piece of meat or poultry to eat during grilling season. That's what I love about these birds - You marinate them, grill them, then just dig right on in to your own personal hen!
No fighting over skin, white meat or dark meat. It's ALL yours. And I totally eat these guys with my hands. I'll be honest, I don't even try for a fork and knife first. It's hands all the way!
Plus, they cook up in about 20 minutes, making them soooo easy to make. And who doesn't just love easy stuff? I wish more things in life were as easy as these Cornish game hens!
Jump to:
What is a Cornish Game Hen?
It is not a game bird, nor is it a hen by definition (can be male or female).
They are chickens that grow large breasts very quickly, in fewer than 5 weeks, enabling them to be slaughtered earlier. That is how we get the small, personal sized bird we are all used to seeing at the dinner table.
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How to Spatchcock a Cornish Hen
Spatchcocking a Cornish hen is just a fancy word for removing the spine and butterflying so the bird lays flat. A flat bird is a lot easier to grill than a whole bird.
I use a pair of sharp kitchen shears (affiliate link) to remove the backbone. The backbone is that little triangle piece at the bottom of the bird in the photo. The backbone is about 1-2" wide. Just use the scissors and cut down both sides of the backbone, all the way to the end (butt) of the bird. Discard the backbone or save it for making broth later.
You can also learn how to spatchcock a Cornish game hen by watching this video from Martha Stewart.
Why This Recipe Works
- Spatchcocking the Cornish hens makes them easy to grill, and also allows the marinade to soak into the meat for the most amazing flavor.
- Using a vinegar based marinade helps to tenderize the bird and keeps it juicy while grilling.
- Using an instant read thermometer helps to ensure your bird is cooked to perfection.
Step By Step Instructions
Place the Cornish hens in a zip lock bag (after they have been spatchcocked).
Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour the contents into the zip lock bag with the hens and close tightly.
Shake the bag to ensure the marinade is distributed evenly and let sit overnight (18-24 hours) in the fridge.
Heat the grill to about 450 degrees and cook the birds for about 12 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Use a digital thermometer when testing to see if the hens are done. They should be at 165 degrees when done. I like the MK4 from Thermoworks - it is always super accurate and easy to use. (affiliate link)
- Marinade the hens for at least 18-24 hours for the best results. The less you marinade, the less flavorful the meat will be.
- Save the removed backbone in a zip lock bag to make broth in the future. I collect all poultry and veggie scraps in a bag until I have enough to make a broth. Learn how to make Chicken Bone Broth.
Make it a Meal
- Start with these Grilled Fruit Skewers.
- Serve this Creamy Pasta Salad with Roasted Poblanos and Grilled Corn on the side - it's perfect for BBQs!
- This Moroccan Couscous Salad is the perfect complement to the grilled hens.
- If you're already grilling, you might as well make this Grilled Corn!
- Serve these Crispy Roasted Potatoes on the side.
- Make it a full on BBQ extravaganza with these other fun Grilling Recipes!
More Cornish Game Hen Recipes:
- Thai Marinated Cornish Game Hens
- Sous Vide Cornish Hens
- Cheesy Roasted Cornish Game Hens
- Cuban Roasted Cornish Hen from Fool Proof Living
Did you make these Cornish Game Hens? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out!
Recipe
Grilled Cornish game Hens
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens spatchcocked
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 ½ cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
Instructions
- Remove the spine from the hens using a pair of sharp kitchen shears. Watch this video on How to Spatchcock a Cornish Hen.
- Place the hens in a resealable zip lock bag.
- Combine all other ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Pour the contents into the zip lock bag with the hens and close tightly. Shake the bag to ensure the marinade is distributed evenly and let sit overnight (18-24 hours) in the fridge.
- Heat the grill to about 450 degrees and cook the birds for about 12 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Remove and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips:
- Use a digital thermometer when testing to see if the hens are done. They should be at 165 degrees when done.
- Marinade the hens for at least 18-24 hours for the best results. The less you marinade, the less flavorful the meat will be.
- Save the removed backbone in a zip lock bag to make broth in the future. I collect all poultry and veggie scraps in a bag until I have enough to make a broth. Learn how to make Chicken Bone Broth.
Nutrition
Paul D. Weir
The one star is the lowest option. First the recipe has the wrong total time so beware. Second and most important we believe the amount of vinegar is wrong and/or the marinating time is wrong. The game hen tasted only of vinegar and nothing else could be tasted. Would not recommend to anyone.
Danielle
Hi Paul. I'm very sorry you didn't like the recipe. We've actually made this a number of times and do really like it, but you are correct that it has a strong vinegar taste. I do understand that some people don't like the strong flavor of vinegar and that's completely understandable. Have a great weekend!
Timothy Russell
I love people share their experience and new recipe with others and inspire them to eat healthy foods.
Thank you for the recipe, I am going to make this for my family.
Danielle
You're welcome. Hope you enjoy!
Melissa
Super easy recipe and it turned out so well! I did add a bit of rubbed sage to my spice mixture, but no other changes. It turned out golden brown with crispy skin. I spatchcocked the hens so it was ready in 30 minutes. Will definitely make again, thank you!
Danielle
So glad you liked it! I'll have to try the sage sometime 🙂
Mimi
That’s a beautiful bird! I’ve never used a marinade that wasn’t more like a vinaigrette, if I am using vinegar as my acid. So this recipe is really intriguing! At my age, I’ve been cooking so long I haven’t made mistakes for many years, but sometimes I go brain dead and completely forget something. In my post today I made a recipe for a taleggio tart and almost forgot the taleggio!
Danielle
LOL! I feel you, sometimes your brain just shuts down! Thanks Mimi 🙂
Jennifer T Tammy
My kids LOVE cornish game hens, this is a great way to prepare them in the summer when we're trying to soak up all the sun we can!
Danielle
Totally!
Drew Johnson
This is the first time I heard about putting it in a bag to distribute the ingredients. Usually I just leave it in the bowl for a while and spread it evenly. Thanks Danielle. It actually looks more fun your way haha!
Danielle
The bag makes it so much easier to make sure everything is coated! I love it 🙂
SHANIKA
Oh my! These Cornish Hens look so amazing! I'm living the char and flavor!
Danielle
Thanks so much Shanika!
Tanya Schroeder
I've never had a cornish game hen, but I think I have to try this!
Danielle
They are so fun to eat!
Tristin Rieken
Oh my gosh, my mother LOVED grilled cornish game hens!! She used to make them and feel 'fancy' and she would ALWAYS mess up and call them 'gamish corn hens'. I will be saving your recipe and making it in her honor to remember her on her birthday this year 🙂
Danielle
Awww "gamish corn hens" so cute 🙂 I'm so glad this brought back some memories for you. I hope you get to enjoy them to remember your mom 🙂
Demeter
This sounds so flavorful! Such a quick and easy dinner idea!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter!
Kelly Anthony
Your marinade sounds like the perfect flavor combination. I have never made cornish game hens but they sound easy and delicious and I can't wait to try something new.
Danielle
Thanks so much kelly! They are so easy to make!
Shinta
The hens looks so moist and succulent. Love the use of apple cider vinegar and Dijon mustard. I have to give this. Atry soon.
Danielle
Thanks Shinta!
kathy
This is an amazing recipe!