{"id":275151,"date":"2025-06-05T15:13:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/recipes\/category-a-b\/barbecue\/rotisserie-grilled-cornish-hens-grillseeker\/"},"modified":"2025-06-05T15:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T15:13:48","slug":"rotisserie-grilled-cornish-hens-grillseeker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=275151","title":{"rendered":"Rotisserie Grilled Cornish Hens – Grillseeker"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Looking for the best way to cook Cornish hens? Fire up the grill and let your rotisserie do the work. These rotisserie grilled Cornish hens are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.<\/p>\n

In this recipe, I\u2019ll show you how to make rotisserie grilled Cornish hens that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It\u2019s easier than you think, and you\u2019ll have a great time doing it. <\/p>\n

I always say, there\u2019s just something primal about watching your dinner spinning over a fire.<\/p>\n

Jump to Recipe<\/a><\/p>\n

What Is A Cornish Hen?<\/h2>\n

What is a Cornish hen (sometimes called a Cornish game hen)? These birds are a cross between Cornish and White Rock chickens.<\/p>\n

They usually weigh around one or two pounds, because they\u2019re harvested at about five to six weeks of age.<\/p>\n

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The term \u201chen\u201d is a bit misleading because they can be either male or female. With either gender, the meat is super tender, and the birds cook quickly.<\/p>\n

Because they\u2019re small, Cornish hens soak up seasoning and smoke like a sponge, which makes them great for outdoor cooking.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s plenty of ways to cook these birds, but rotisserie grilled Cornish hens are top shelf and definitely my preferred method.<\/p>\n

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Gas, Wood, or Charcoal?<\/h3>\n

When grilling Cornish hens on a rotisserie, your fuel choice matters. <\/p>\n

Gas \/ Infrared: <\/strong>It\u2019s <\/strong>easy to light and control, making it the most convenient of the three. It\u2019s great for beginners. You\u2019ll get consistent heat but not a lot of smokey flavor. <\/p>\n

Charcoal: <\/strong>Gives you that classic grilled taste. It\u2019s hotter, and smokier than gas, and adds more depth to the Cornish hens. Downsides? It takes longer to set up and there\u2019s some clean up involved. <\/p>\n

Wood Fire: <\/strong>Wood brings the most flavor. Think campfire vibes with a smokey punch. Wood can be tricky to manage for a beginner, and it\u2019s not great if you\u2019re short on time. <\/p>\n

No matter what you use: gas, wood, or charcoal \u2013 you\u2019ll still get juicy, golden-brown birds that are going to be amazing. Just match your grill style to what YOU\u2019RE most comfortable with.<\/p>\n

Tap Images Below For Sides You\u2019ll Love w\/ Cornish Hens<\/h2>\n
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\"Mexican<\/a>
Fire Grilled Corn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"bowl<\/a>
Parmesan Green Beans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"collard<\/a>
Smoked Collard Greens<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"roasted<\/a>
Roasted Sweet Potatoes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Cornish Hens FAQ:<\/h2>\n

How much does one Cornish hen feed?<\/strong> One hen usually feeds one hungry adult. If you\u2019re serving sides, you might<\/em> stretch one hen for two. <\/p>\n

Can you grill Cornish hens on a rotisserie?<\/strong> Absolutely. Rotisserie grilled Cornish hens cook evenly and get that crispy skin everyone loves. <\/p>\n

How long do you cook Cornish hens on the grill?<\/strong> About 45 minutes to an hour over indirect heat, depending on the size.<\/p>\n

Should I marinate Cornish hens before grilling?<\/strong> Yep. A good marinade adds flavor and helps keep the meat juicy on the grill.<\/p>\n

Best seasoning for Cornish hens?<\/strong> Salt, pepper, garlic, herbs, and a little smoke go a long way. Keep it simple and tasty. I love these pre-seasoned birds<\/a> for their flavor and convenience if you\u2019re short on time.<\/p>\n

How To Make Rotisserie Grilled Cornish Hens<\/h2>\n

Serves:<\/strong> 3-6 | Prep Time:<\/strong> 15 mins | Cook Time:<\/strong> 60 Mins<\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/strong>
3 Cornish hens
\u00bc cup olive oil
2 tbsp kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
1 tbsp fresh cracked black pepper
1 tbsp granulated garlic
1 \u00bd tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp red pepper flakes, optional<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/strong> Coat the birds evenly with olive oil, mix the salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary, thyme and optional red pepper flakes in a bowl and season the birds on all sides. Using butcher\u2019s twin, tie the drumsticks together. Then, tuck the wings behind the body to keep them tight against the birds and place in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong> Light your grill. Set up the coals or wood to burn on one side. This should be away from where the rotisserie will spin.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong> While the coals are heating, take the hens out of the refrigerator. Place them on the rotisserie spit, making sure they are held tightly together by the rotisserie forks. Pro Tip<\/strong>* When putting the forks on the rotisserie , try to get them around the flesh of the bird as opposed to piercing the skin. This will hold them in place, without them losing any juice from rotisserie forks.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Step 3:<\/strong> Coat the surface of the birds with remaining olive oil and put the spit into the rotisserie motor. Ensure the birds are spinning over indirect heat.<\/p>\n

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Step 5:<\/strong> Allow the hens to spin for 60 minutes, or until they reach your desired internal temperature and the skin is golden brown and slightly crispy.<\/p>\n

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Step 6:<\/strong> Using heat resistant gloves, remove the spit from the grill, and allow the hens to rest for 5-7 minutes before removing them from the spit.<\/p>\n

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Step 7:<\/strong> Serve the hens whole, or cut in half.<\/p>\n

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Rotisserie Grilled Cornish Hens<\/h2>\n

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Prep Time: <\/span>15 minutes<\/span><\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cook Time: <\/span>1 hour<\/span><\/span> hour<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Servings: <\/span>3<\/span><\/p>\n

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