Smoked Cornish Game Hens
If you love chicken, but you're looking for something with a little more flavor, give these smoked cornish game hens a try. They're brined in scotch and then smoked. The end result is a blend of flavors everyone will love.
Servings 4
Ingredients
- 4 Cornish Game Hens
Cornish Game Hen Brine
- ⅓ cup Scotch
- ⅓ cup Honey
- ⅓ cup Salt
- ⅓ cup Orange Juice
- 3 tbsp whole peppercorns
- 2 tbsp rosemary
- 8 cups warm water
- 1 Gallon cold water
Seasoned Butter
- 8 tbsp softened butter
- 1 tbsp barbecue rub
- 1 tbsp scotch
Instructions
- Combine all of the brine ingredients except for the cold water. Stir for about 5 minutes to give the seasonings time to activate all of their flavors.
- Add the warm water mixture to the cold water, and then add each of the Cornish Game Hens
- Let the birds brine for at least 12 hours, and up to 24 hours
- Remove the birds from the brine, rinse them under cold water, and then pat dry. Place on a sheet pan and chill for an hour. This will give the birds time to dry out.
- Remove the birds from the fridge after an hour.
- Combine the butter, rub, and scotch.
- Rub the outside of each of the birds with the butter, and then place a small ball of the butter in the cavity of the bird
- Smoke the birds at 325 degrees until the internal temperature of the birds is 165 degrees.
- Let the birds rest for 10 minutes before serving
Notes
I always use a Thermapen to check internal temps.
Birds were cooked in a large Lodge Cast Iron Skillet