Hickory Smoked Cornish Game Hen Recipe

Hickory Smoked Cornish Game Hen

• Level: Easy
• Yield: Serves 4 to 6
• Total Time: 2 hr 25 min
• Preparation: 10 min
• Resting Time: 1 hr
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon Neely's Dry Rub
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
• 4 Cornish game hens, each weighing 1 1/2 to 2 pounds, washed and thoroughly dried
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• A dash of hot sauce

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the dry rub, salt, and black pepper. Rub this mixture all over the cleaned and dried game hens. Place them on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
2. While the hens marinate, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped shallots and cook until they soften. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour in the chicken broth and orange juice and bring to a simmer. Reduce until thickened to about half a cup with a syrupy texture, about 10 minutes. Stir in the apple cider vinegar and hot sauce, then adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Set up your grill or smoker for indirect cooking, using charcoal and hickory wood chips. Maintain a steady temperature of 275F (135C).
4. Place the hens on the grill grate and cover. Smoke for 40 minutes. Remove the lid, brush generously with the glaze to coat all sides, cover again, and smoke for another 15 minutes.
5. Remove the hens from the grill to a serving dish. Loosely tent with foil and rest for 15 minutes before serving.