Hoisin Marinated Grilled Cornish Game Hens
Elevate your grilling game with these irresistible Hoisin Marinated Grilled Cornish Game Hens! This recipe pairs juicy, tender hens with a bold, Asian-inspired marinade featuring hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, fresh ginger, and garlic. The hens are butterfly cut for even cooking and grilled to golden perfection, with a glossy, caramelized glaze brushed on during the final minutes. Infused with sweet, savory, and tangy flavors, these hens are ideal for impressing guests or upgrading your weeknight meals. Serve them with steamed rice or grilled vegetables for a complete feast that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Perfect for outdoor cooking enthusiasts, this recipe is a must-try for lovers of grilled poultry or global flavors! Keywords: hoisin marinated game hens, grilled Cornish hens, Asian-inspired marinade, tender and juicy chicken, easy grilling recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 whole Cornish game hens
- 0.5 cup Hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger
- 2 stalks Scallions
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
Instructions
Begin by preparing the marinade. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and ground black pepper until well combined.
Set aside 2 tablespoons of the marinade in a separate container to use as a finishing glaze.
Rinse and pat the Cornish game hens dry with paper towels. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, spatchcock (butterfly) each hen by cutting along both sides of the backbone and removing it. This will help the hens cook evenly on the grill.
Place the hens in a large resealable plastic bag or a shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the hens, making sure they are fully coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. If using a gas grill, preheat to 375-400°F. If using a charcoal grill, heat the coals until they are evenly ashed and spread them out for medium-high direct grilling.
Before grilling, lightly oil the grill grates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
Remove the hens from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Discard the used marinade.
Place the hens on the grill, skin side down. Close the grill lid and cook for 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin is golden brown and crisp. Flip the hens and continue to cook for another 20 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh.
During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the reserved marinade glaze over the hens for added flavor and a glossy finish.
Once cooked, transfer the hens to a cutting board and let them rest for 5-10 minutes. This will help the juices redistribute and keep the meat tender.
Serve the hoisin marinated grilled Cornish game hens with steamed rice or grilled vegetables, garnished with chopped scallions if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4694 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 251.7 g | 323% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.6 g | 323% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1604 mg | 535% | |
| Sodium | 4635 mg | 202% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 99.4 g | 36% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.2 g | 19% | |
| Total Sugars | 70.4 g | ||
| Protein | 468.7 g | 937% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.0 mcg | 25% | |
| Calcium | 396 mg | 30% | |
| Iron | 26.9 mg | 149% | |
| Potassium | 4846 mg | 103% | |
*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.
