Smoked Cornish Game Hens-Chicken

Smoked Cornish Game Hens / Small Chickens

Cornish hens smoke beautifully because of their small size and delicate meat. They absorb flavor quickly and cook faster than full-size chickens.

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Ingredients

For the Hens

• 2 Cornish game hens (450–700 g each) or 1–2 small chickens

• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

• 1 tsp salt (or more to taste)

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 2 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked)

• 2 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 tsp dried rosemary

• 1 tsp brown sugar (optional, helps browning)

For Inside the Cavity (Optional)

• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

• 4–6 garlic cloves

• Fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs

• 1 small onion, quartered

Wood Choices

Use any of the following woods:

• Apple (sweet, mild)

• Cherry (reddish color, fruity)

• Hickory (stronger smoke)

• Maple (sweet, mild)

• Oak (balanced, traditional)

Apple or cherry is best for game hens.

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Instructions

1. Prepare the hens

1. Remove hens from packaging and pat very dry with paper towels.

2. Tuck wings behind the back (so they don’t burn).

3. Rub hens all over with olive oil or melted butter.

4. Mix all seasonings in a bowl, then coat the hens generously inside and out.

5. Stuff the cavity with lemon, garlic, and herbs if desired.

Tip: Dry skin = better smoke adhesion and crisper finish.

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2. Preheat smoker

• Preheat smoker to 225–250°F (107–121°C).

• Add your wood chips/chunks.

• Place a drip pan underneath if possible.

Low and slow is ideal for juicy hens.

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3. Smoke the hens

1. Place hens breast-side up on the smoker grate.

2. Smoke at 225–250°F for:

   • Cornish hens: 1.5 to 2 hours

   • Small chickens: 2.5 to 3 hours

Target internal temperature: 165°F (74°C) in the breast, 175°F (79°C) in the thigh.

Tip: Rotate hens halfway through for even color.

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4. Crisp the skin (optional but recommended)

For restaurant-quality skin:

• Increase smoker heat to 325–350°F (163–177°C) for the last 15–20 minutes,
  OR

• Transfer hens to a hot oven (425°F / 220°C) for 5–10 minutes.

This crisps the skin without drying the meat.

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5. Rest and serve

Remove hens from smoker and rest 10 minutes before cutting or serving whole.

Serve with:

• Smoked potatoes

• Roasted vegetables

• Cornbread

• BBQ beans

• Lemon butter

• Garlic herb sauce

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Flavor Variations

1. Sweet BBQ Smoked Hens

Add to rub:

• 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp chili powder

Glaze in the last 10 minutes with:

• BBQ sauce + honey

2. Lemon-Herb Smoked Hens

Season with:

• Lemon zest

• Extra thyme & rosemary
  Finish with a lemon-butter drizzle.

3. Cajun Smoked Hens

Use:

• Cajun seasoning

• Smoked paprika

• Cayenne powder
  Serve with dirty rice.

4. Asian Soy-Ginger Smoked Hens

Marinate in:

• Soy sauce

• Ginger

• Garlic

• Honey

• Rice vinegar

Smoke with apple wood and brush with teriyaki.

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Optional Brine (For Extra Juiciness)

Simple 4-Hour Brine

• 6 cups water

• 1/3 cup salt

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 6 garlic cloves

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 tsp peppercorns

Brine hens 4–6 hours, rinse, pat dry, then season.
This makes the meat incredibly moist.

This recipe go along nicely with a variety of grilled vegetables and a cold pasta salad. Try this smoked chicken recipe .....

Smoked Chicken Recipe Ingredients

• Three pints water
• One pint apple juice
• One-third cup canning salt
• Two tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dill weed, dry
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• game hen / chicken
  

Smoked Chicken Recipe INSTRUCTIONS
Combine the brine ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove the brine from the heat and chill down to 36 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the game hens by cutting along each side of the backbone, removing it from the carcass. Push down on the breast to flatten, and then remove the ribs if you like.
Marinate the game hens in the fridge overnight. Remove the birds from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
Smoke the Cornish game hens at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 4 hours, or until the thigh temperature reaches 175 degrees. Allow the birds to rest for half an hour after smoking before splitting through the breasts and serving.

Optionally, the game hens can be indirect grilled, or grilled over medium low heat 45 to 75 minutes, or until 175 degrees is reached. The smoked chicken recipe is ready to serve...nice ! Enjoy it !
smoked-cornish-game-hens-chicken

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