If you’re looking for a slight variation to a traditional smoked whole chicken or are trying to feed a smaller crowd, then smoked cornish hens are a fantastic way to go. Each of your dinner guests can have their own hen and this pairs well with any holiday meal or special occasions. Let’s get smoking!
Pair this cornish hen with smoked asparagus and smoked mashed potatoes and you’ll be in for a healthy meal.
Quick look at smoking cornish hens…
Smoking cornish hens is a great way to make a healthy protein packed main dish that pairs well with sides or any holiday meal.
Here’s a quick look at this recipe for smoked cornish hen.
Quick look
- Preheat the smoker and prepare cornish hens with dry rub seasoning.
- Smoke at 250 degrees F for ~ 1 – 1.5 hours.
- Add BBQ sauce and increase smoker temp to 375 degrees F to finish at 165 degrees F internal temp.
- Remove, rest & enjoy.
New to smoking cornish hens?
Nothing says “look how sophisticated I am” even when your life is falling apart, as inviting people over and serving them up some cornish hens!
Scroll for a printable recipe and a step-by-step video.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make smoked cornish hen.
- 3 cornish hens (~1.5 – 2 pounds each, individually portioned)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp BBQ dry rub seasoning
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
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How to smoke cornish hens (detailed recipe steps)
Now I’ll walk you through the detailed recipe for cornish hens with extra tips…
- Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 250 degrees F.
- Prep cornish hens for smoking. Pat dry with a paper towel and coat the cornish hens with olive oil.
- Season cornish hens all over with BBQ rub.
- Smoke at 250 degrees for about 1 – 1.5 hours.
- Check internal temperature. When the internal temp reaches 150 degrees F in the thickest part of the cornish hen (the thigh), then it’s time for the sauce.
- Brush cornish hens with BBQ sauce.
- Increase smoker temperature to 375 degrees F and continue smoking until done with a crisp skin. About an additional 20 minutes.
- Remove cornish hens when they reach 165 degrees F as measured with an internal read thermometer.
- Rest smoked cornish hens for 10 minutes before slicing.
See popular smoked food recipes on Sip Bite Go…
Checkout my popular whole smoked turkey recipe!
FAQs
When cooking any type of white meat bird protein, you need to cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
It will take about 2 hours to smoke a cornish hen. Timing and doneness are determined by its size, smoker temp and internal temperature. I recommend that you use an internal read thermometer and remove the fully cooked cornish hens from the smoker once they reach 165 degrees F internally.
PELLETS I recommend using the following for smoking cornish hens…
Try hickory, mesquite, or apple.
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Pro tip: One of my go-to tricks for perfectly cooked food every time is using the right BBQ meat thermometers.
Are you a foodie, too?
Hey home chef, hope that answers all your questions about smoking cornish hens.
Smoked cornish game hens is an awesome way to turn an ordinary meal into a special occasion or holiday meal.
If you use a tasty BBQ rub and finish with BBQ sauce during the smoking process, you’ll create one of the best possible flavors for this main smoked dish.
Enjoy cooking and chat soon on Instagram / TikTok / YouTube.
– Jenna
Next, browse the Sip Bite Go recipe collection…
Smoked Cornish Hens Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cornish hens ~1.5 – 2 pounds each
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp BBQ dry rub seasoning
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Traeger Grills or Pitt Boss or whatever pellet grill you’re using to 250 degrees F.
- Prep cornish hens for smoking. Pat dry with a paper towel and coat the cornish hens with olive oil.
- Season cornish hens all over with BBQ rub.
- Smoke at 250 degrees for about 1 – 1.5 hours.
- Check internal temperature. When the internal temp reaches 150 degrees F in the thickest part of the cornish hen (the thigh), then it’s time for the sauce.
- Brush cornish hens with BBQ sauce.
- Increase smoker temperature to 375 degrees F and continue smoking until done with a crisp skin. About an additional 20 minutes.
- Remove cornish hens when they reach 165 degrees F as measured with an internal read thermometer.
- Rest smoked cornish hens for 10 minutes before slicing.
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