Grilled Herbed Cornish Hens

  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 20 min
  • Ingredients 7
  • Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 4 (24-oz.) Cornish game hens
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

Steps

  • 1
    Heat grill. Remove and discard neck and giblets from game hens. With kitchen scissors, cut each game hen along both sides of backbone; remove backbone and discard. Rinse game hens with cold water; pat dry. Open game hens and flatten.
  • 2
    In small bowl, combine all remaining ingredients; mix well. Rub over outer surface of game hens.
  • 3
    When ready to grill, place game hens on gas grill over medium heat or on charcoal grill 4 to 6 inches from medium coals. Cook 10 minutes, turning once.
  • 4
    Stand game hens up and lean against each other; cook an additional 35 to 50 minutes or until fork-tender and juices run clear. To serve, cut game hens in half.

  • To bake game hens, arrange in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 60 minutes.
  • Rock Cornish game hens are a cross between White Plymouth Rock and Cornish chickens. The miniature birds are 4 to 6 weeks old and weigh only up to 2 1/2 pounds. Cornish hens are best roasted or grilled.
  • Originating in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, thyme is a low-growing bushy plant of the mint family with small gray-green leaves.
  • Substitute 2 teaspoons each dried thyme leaves and dried rosemary leaves for the fresh herbs.
  • Cornish hens are usually sold frozen. Frozen poultry that has been thawed should not be refrozen and must be cooked promptly.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
280
Calories from Fat
150
Total Fat
17g
26%
Saturated Fat
4g
20%
Cholesterol
95mg
32%
Sodium
360mg
15%
Total Carbohydrate
1g
0%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
0g
Protein
30g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
10%
10%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
10%
10%
Exchanges:
4 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fat;
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
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