This Mediterranean Smoked Cornish Game Hens recipe is one of my family’s favorite ways to enjoy Cornish hens. They’re an easy, elegant option for a weeknight dinner or a small gathering, and they’re great when you find them on sale. Cornish game hens give a fun, individual-serving twist to roasted or smoked chicken.
I was introduced to Spiceology spices over the holidays and fell in love with testing small-batch blends. Their Greek-style blend—Greek Freak—has become a go-to for chicken because it highlights Mediterranean flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, orange peel and chili for a bright, savory profile without added salt.
What is a Cornish Game Hen?
A Cornish game hen is a young, small-format chicken, usually under two pounds. They aren’t true game birds but are bred and marketed as single-serving poultry that cooks quickly and presents beautifully. You’ll most often find them in the freezer or fresh poultry section of grocery stores.
Mediterranean Smoked Cornish Game Hens Ingredients:
- Cornish game hens (2)
- Olive oil (about 1 tablespoon)
- Greek-style seasoning blend (such as Greek Freak)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Save This Recipe!
If you enjoy this recipe, save it to refer to later. A small advance prep makes the final result much better—seasoning the hens the night before concentrates the flavor and saves time on the day you smoke them.
More About Greek-Style Seasoning
A no-salt Mediterranean seasoning is perfect for Cornish hens because it brings bright, herbaceous notes without overpowering the meat. Look for blends with sun-dried tomato, oregano, thyme, citrus peel and a touch of heat. This flavor profile pairs especially well with olive oil and smoke.
How to cook Cornish hens on a pellet grill
Thaw the hens if frozen, following safe thawing methods in the refrigerator. Once thawed, pat them dry.
Prepare the hens by rubbing them with a thin coat of olive oil and placing them in a container. Season evenly with the Greek-style seasoning, salt and pepper. For best results, season at least a couple of hours in advance or the night before and refrigerate.
Bring to room temperature about one hour before smoking so the hens will cook more evenly.
I prefer to cook to internal temperature rather than a fixed time. A pellet grill makes smoking convenient—set it to a low smoke or cold-smoke setting to develop smoke flavor, then finish with gentle heat. If your grill supports pellet-style smoke-only settings, use that; otherwise, set a low temperature to build smoke and keep an eye on the thermometer.
Smoking strategy: Start by cold-smoking or using a low smoke setting so the hens pick up flavor gradually. When you’re ready to finish cooking, increase the grill temperature to about 225°F. Rotate and flip the hens as needed so they brown evenly. Use a probe or instant-read meat thermometer and pull the hens when the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.
Remove and serve once the hens reach 165°F. Let them rest a few minutes before carving to lock in juices.
How to store leftover smoked Cornish game hens
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2–4 days. You can debone the hens and freeze the meat for up to a month. Divide into portion-sized containers or vacuum-seal servings for the best frozen storage and reheating results.
If freezing, remove as much air as possible and label with the date. A food scale is handy for portioning leftovers before freezing.
What to serve with smoked Cornish game hens
Starches and simple vegetables complement these hens well. Classic pairings include Caesar salad, steamed rice, smoked baked potatoes, deviled eggs, roasted potatoes or a potato salad. For dessert, choose something light like a bundt cake or an easy no-bake treat.
Other smoked Cornish game hen ideas
- Sweet and spicy smoked Cornish game hens
- Mediterranean smoked Cornish game hens (this recipe)
- Cold-smoked Cornish game hens
- Coca-Cola brined smoked Cornish game hens
- Brined and smoked Cornish game hens
Mediterranean Smoked Cornish Game Hens Recipe
A simple, flavorful method for smoking Cornish game hens with Mediterranean seasoning and a mild smoke finish on a pellet grill. Cook to internal temperature for juicy, perfectly cooked hens.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: About 5 hours (including cold-smoking and finishing)
Rest Time (in fridge): up to 12 hours (optional, if seasoning ahead)
Total Time: ~5 hours 5 mins active, plus rest time
Servings: 2
Calories (per serving): ~962 kcal
Equipment
- Pellet grill or smoker
- Meat thermometer
- Container for seasoning (bowl or lidded container)
Ingredients
- 2 Cornish game hens
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Greek-style seasoning blend (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- If frozen, thaw the Cornish hens safely in the refrigerator or following proper thawing guidance. Pat dry.
- Rub each hen with olive oil and place them in a container large enough to season evenly.
- Season the hens liberally with the Greek-style seasoning, salt and pepper. For best flavor, season several hours ahead or overnight and refrigerate.
- About one hour before smoking, remove the hens from the fridge to allow them to approach room temperature.
- Start your smoker and begin with a smoke-only or low-heat setting so the hens can absorb smoke flavor gradually. Use mesquite, hickory or fruitwood pellets according to taste.
- When you’re ready to finish, bring the smoker to around 225°F. Place the hens on the grill and rotate or flip as needed so they brown evenly.
- Cook until the thickest part of the breast registers 165°F on a reliable meat thermometer.
- Remove the hens, let them rest briefly, then carve and serve.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 962 kcal • Protein: 77 g • Fat: 70 g • Sodium: 275 mg • Potassium: 1062 mg
Tried this recipe? Let us know how it turned out!
