Cornish Game Hens with A Smoked Paprika Rub

Chicken in the US is very blah. Breasts need marinations, thighs too. But Cornish game hens tell another story. These small birds are packed with flavor. Close your eyes and think of the taste of an Indian desi chicken. Game hens come pretty close. Inspite of the similarities, I plan on a marinade. That's just me. 

The hens benefit from a twenty-four hour salt rub. I had the time, but an overnight stay in the fridge would suffice. The rub comprises of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chipotle chile powder, chile flakes and loads of pepper. Hens sit on a bed of sliced onions, garlic, lemon and thyme sprigs. Olive oil is drizzled over the birds before they sizzle and roast in a hot oven. 

CORNISH GAME HENS WITH A SMOKED PAPRIKA RUB

Serves 4

DF, GF, WF, EF

2 Cornish Game Hens

2 teaspoons Kosher Salt

3 teaspoons Smoked Paprika

1 tablespoon Paprika

1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder

1 teaspoon  Garlic Powder

1/2 teaspoon Oregano

1 teaspoon Chipotle Chile Powder

1/2 teaspoon Chile Flakes

1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

1 teaspoon ground Black Pepper

2 large Onions 

6 Garlic cloves

1 Lemon

4-5 Thyme Sprigs

2-3 tablespoons Olive Oil

Unwrap hens and remove the innards. You could make stock by boiling the innard with peppercorns, onion and carrot. Strain and use at a later time. Or discard the innards.

Hold the hens vertically to let the liquids drip out. 

Place hens in a shallow container and pat dry. 

Rub 1 teaspoon of salt each, all over the birds. 

Refrigerate the hens for 12-24 hours, depending on your time factor. Do not cover the hens.

Take the hens out of the fridge an hour before you roast them.

Make the rub by combining all the powders. 

Heat oven to 425F/230C.

Peel and slice onions in half. Cut the halves into 1/2 inch thick slices. 

Peel garlic cloves.

Slice lemons thinly.

Scatter onions, garlic, thyme sprigs and half the lemons in the bottom of an ovenproof dish. Season lightly with salt.

Massage the hens with the rub. Make sure to add rub to the insides of the hens as well.

Place the hens on top of the onions. Drizzle olive oil over hens. 

Roast hens.

After 30 minutes, arrange the remaining lemons on top of the hens.

 Continue roasting for another 20-25 minutes. 

Take them out of the oven. 

Use a sharp knife to carve each hen into half, slicing through the top.

Serve each half, accompanied ideally with mashed potatoes. Or any veggie of your choice.

This is a feel good meal. Spice-laden chicken, roasted onions and garlic and hefty portion of mashed potatoes makes a transformative dinner.

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