Skip to Content
Menu

Grilled Herbed Cornish Hens

  • Save Recipe
  • Prep 30 min
  • Total 1 hr 20 min
  • Ingredients 7
  • Servings 8
  • Save
  • Print
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Email
Ready to make?
  • Save
  • Shop
  • Share
  • Keep Screen On
Serve your family this flavorful grilled Cornish game hens flavored with thyme and rosemary - a delicious dinner.
Updated Jan 24, 2011
  • Save
  • Shop
  • Share
  • Keep Screen On

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.

Tips from the Pillsbury Kitchens

  • tip 1
    To bake game hens, arrange in ungreased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F. for 45 to 60 minutes.
  • tip 2
    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.
  • tip 3
    Originating in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, thyme is a low-growing bushy plant of the mint family with small gray-green leaves.
  • tip 4
    Substitute 2 teaspoons each dried thyme leaves and dried rosemary leaves for the fresh herbs.
  • tip 5
    Cornish hens are usually sold frozen. Frozen poultry that has been thawed should not be refrozen and must be cooked promptly.

Nutrition Information

280 Calories, 17g Total Fat, 30g Protein, 1g Total Carbohydrate, 0g Sugars

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.
© 2024 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved
< div class="recipeContentBottom">