Smoked Cornish Game Hens
Infuse your backyard barbecue with gourmet flair by preparing these irresistible Smoked Cornish Game Hens. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, and other aromatic spices, these petite birds are basted in olive oil for a golden, crisp skin. Stuffed with fresh rosemary and zesty lemon, each hen is slow-smoked over hickory or applewood to achieve tender, smoky perfection. This easy yet impressive recipe only takes 20 minutes of prep time, making it ideal for dinner parties or special family meals. Serve these juicy hens alongside your favorite sides for a dish that’s sure to become a new tradition. Optimize your smoker recipe repertoire with this flavorful and succulent showcase dish!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Cornish game hens
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 2 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
- 2 pieces Lemon
- 4 sprigs Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 1 cup Water
- 2 cups Wood chips (hickory or applewood)
Instructions
Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C) and load it with your preferred wood chips.
Rinse the Cornish game hens under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Rub each hen with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ensuring the entire surface is coated.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme.
Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the hens, both inside and out.
Cut each lemon in half. Insert half a lemon and a sprig of rosemary into the cavity of each hen.
Place the hens on a wire rack or directly on the smoker grates, ensuring there is space between them for even smoking.
Add a cup of water to the smoker’s water pan to maintain moisture during the cooking process.
Smoke the hens at 225°F (107°C) for approximately 2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast.
Remove the hens from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Serve hot, accompanied by your favorite side dishes, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1147 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 68.9 g | 88% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.8 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 400 mg | 133% | |
| Sodium | 1326 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 7.7 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.3 g | 8% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.5 g | ||
| Protein | 116.3 g | 233% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 115 mg | 9% | |
| Iron | 6.9 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 1231 mg | 26% | |
*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.
