Smoked Cornish Hens

5 from 2 votes

Make this Smoked Cornish Hens for a delicious dinner idea. The meat turns our juicy, tender and full of smoky flavor.

Prep Time30

Cook Time2 30

Let Rest10

Total Time3 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Smoked Cornish Hens

Servings:

Calories: 584kcal

Author: Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

2 Cornish hens about 1.5-2 pounds each
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic minced
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 lemon halved
2 sprigs fresh rosemary optional

Instructions

Preheat your smoker to 225°F and prepare the grates for direct smoking.
Choose your wood for smoking. Fruitwoods like apple or cherry work well with Cornish hens.
In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to create the rub.
Pat the Cornish hens dry with paper towels.
Apply the rub mixture all over the hens, including the cavity.
Insert half a lemon and a sprig of fresh rosemary into the cavity of each hen, if using.
Place the prepared hens directly on the smoker grates, breast side up.
Close the lid and smoke for about 2 to 2.5 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.
Remove the hens from the smoker and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

If you like crispier skin, you can increase the smoker temperature to 350°F for the last 15 minutes of cooking. Be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid burning.

If your smoker has hot spots, consider rotating the hens halfway through to ensure even cooking.

The Cornish hens are small, so they'll cook relatively quickly compared to larger poultry. Make sure to monitor the internal temperature of the hens for doneness, as cooking times may vary depending on the size of the hens and the smoker.

Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5-6 days.

Nutrition