Grilled Mexican-Style Cornish Hens Recipe

Name: Grilled Mexican-Style Cornish Hens
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 Cornish hens; 4 jalapeno peppers; 8 garlic cloves, peeled; 1/4 cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 tablespoon dried oregano (or thyme); 2 teaspoons salt; 1/3 cup olive oil; 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)

Servings: persons

4 Cornish hens
4 jalapeno peppers
8 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano (or thyme)
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)

1
To butterfly the hens, turn them breast side down and using poultry shears, cut down each side of the backbone and discard it. Turn the birds over and open them out flat, pressing down hard on the breastbone. Thread 2 skewers diagonally through each hen from the wings to the thigh bones.
2
To make the marinade, skewer the chili peppers and garlic together and cook on a preheated medium-hot outdoor grill or under a broiler for 10 minutes, turning frequently until evenly browned. Scrape off and discard the skins from the peppers and chop the flesh coarsely. Put the flesh (and seed if you like the heat) into a blender. Add garlic and all the remaining marinade ingredients and blend to a puree. Pour the marinade over the hens and let marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Return them to room temperature for 1 hour before cooking.
3
When ready to cook, remove the birds from their marinade and grill over preheated medium-hot coals for 12 minutes on each side (or until juices run clear), basting occasionally. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then serve with corn salsa.

635

kcal

Calories

Fat

100

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 4 Cornish hens, 4 jalapeno peppers, 8 garlic cloves, peeled, 1/4 cup orange juice, and more.

Yes, Grilled Mexican-Style Cornish Hens falls under the General category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

Grilled Mexican-Style Cornish Hens

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions