Flattened Cornish Game Hens with Garlic Citrus Marinade
Elevate your next meal with these Flattened Cornish Game Hens with Garlic Citrus Marinade—a show-stopping main course bursting with vibrant flavors. Perfectly spatchcocked for even cooking, these tender hens are infused with a zesty marinade made from a tantalizing blend of fresh orange, lemon, and lime juices, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and warm spices like smoked paprika and cumin. Grilled to golden perfection, their crispy, caramelized skin pairs beautifully with the juicy, flavorful meat. This dish is an impressive yet approachable recipe for entertaining or a special weeknight dinner. Serve with roasted vegetables or a refreshing citrus salad to complete this unforgettable meal. Keywords: Cornish Game Hens, garlic citrus marinade, spatchcock chicken, grilling recipe, flavorful poultry, easy entertaining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 whole Cornish game hens
- 3 tablespoons Extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 large Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Orange juice
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Lime juice
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1.5 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Avocado oil or neutral cooking oil
Instructions
Place the Cornish game hens on a clean cutting board, breast-side down. Using kitchen shears, cut along both sides of the backbone to remove it. Flip the hens over and press down firmly on the breastbone to flatten them. Pat the hens dry with paper towels.
In a blender or food processor, combine the olive oil, garlic cloves, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, smoked paprika, ground cumin, thyme leaves, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth to create the marinade.
Place the flattened hens in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the hens, ensuring they are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for optimal flavor.
Remove the hens from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to allow them to come to room temperature.
Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan to medium heat. Brush the grill grates or pan with avocado oil to prevent sticking.
Remove the hens from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the used marinade.
Place the hens, skin-side down, on the grill or grill pan. Cook for 18-20 minutes, pressing them down occasionally to ensure even contact with the heat. Flip the hens and cook for an additional 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured at the thickest part of the breast.
Transfer the hens to a cutting board and let them rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or a fresh citrus salad.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2907 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 180.1 g | 231% | |
| Saturated Fat | 39.0 g | 195% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 800 mg | 267% | |
| Sodium | 6302 mg | 274% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 72.7 g | 26% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 47.0 g | ||
| Protein | 237.2 g | 474% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 285 mg | 22% | |
| Iron | 16.1 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 2924 mg | 62% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
