Best Chef Johns Grilled Game Hens Recipes

GRILLED GAME HENS

Grilled Game Hens image

I love to cook and bake just about everything, but grilling is my specialty. These game hens pick up wonderful flavor from a sweet and refreshing marinade.-Kriss Erickson, Kalauea, Hawaii

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 Cornish game hens (20 to 24 ounces each), split lengthwise
1/2 cup olive oil
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 to 3 tablespoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Dash pepper

Steps:

Place hens in a large resealable plastic bag. In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Pour half into bag; add the hens. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade. , Drain and discard marinade from hens. Place hens in a 13x9-in. disposable aluminum pan. Pour reserved marinade over hens; cover pan. , Grill, covered, over medium-hot heat for 35-40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 180° and meat juices run clear, basting frequently. Place hens directly over heat for the last 3-4 minutes of cooking time, turning once.

Nutrition Facts :

CHEF JOHN'S GRILLED GAME HENS

Chef John's Grilled Game Hens image

The idea for these grilled game hens is borrowed from my highly successful Cornell chicken experiments, and uses a similar acid/salt/oil/egg concoction. This time the part of egg is played by mayo. Needless to say, you can season this a million ways and use any combination of hot chilies, but the little kick the habanero adds is really nice.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Cornish Hens

Time 3h55m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 habanero pepper, seeded
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons salt
2 Cornish game hens, halved lengthwise
1 pinch salt to taste

Steps:

Blend jalapeno pepper, habanero pepper, garlic, vegetable oil, sherry vinegar, mayonnaise, and 2 teaspoons salt together in a blender until marinade is smooth.
Place halved hens in a large bowl. Pour marinade over the chickens and turn to coat completely. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
Remove hens from marinade, shaking off any excess, place hens on a plate, skin-side up. Discard remaining marinade. Season skin-side of hens with salt.
Cook hens on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until skin is crisped, meat is no longer pink at the bone, and juices run clear, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 417.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.6 g, Cholesterol 153.6 mg, Fat 33.3 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 26 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, Sodium 1276.8 mg, Sugar 0.3 g