Spicy Peri-Peri Spatchcocked Cornish Hens
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Switch up Thanksgiving with this bold, easy Peri Peri Cornish Hen recipe. Includes homemade marinade, beginner tips, cook times, and expert flavor swaps!
If you’re looking for a bold and flavorful upgrade to the traditional Thanksgiving bird, Peri Peri Cornish Hen is a game-changer! This dish draws from the fiery, citrusy flavors of African-Portuguese cuisine , especially the famous Peri Peri (Piri Piri) sauce, traditionally made with African bird’s eye chilies. Cornish hens make a perfect mini bird for small gatherings or as an impressive individual main. Plus, they cook faster and soak up marinades beautifully.
Cornish hens are small young chickens prized for their delicate and lean meat. Byspatchcockingthe birds (removing the backbone and flattening them), they cook quickly and evenly and develop extra-crispy skin. The result is a show-stopping, spicy roasted hen perfect for a holiday spread, dinner party or special family meals.
Pair your Peri Peri Cornish Hen with these amazing Thanksgiving sides:
Tiffany’s Tips
Don’t skip the overnight marinate – It makes the meat incredibly juicy and flavorful.
Use a roasting rack – This helps air circulate and crisps the skin evenly.
No blender? – A food processor or immersion blender works just as well.
Mild heat option: Reduce the Thai chili peppers to 5 if you prefer less heat.
No scoring needed - Avoid scoring the Cornish hens , as this can cause the juices to escape and result in a less juicy hen.
Substitutions & Variations
Herbs: Fresh thyme or oregano can replace dried—use double the amount.
Cooking method: You can also air-fry Cornish hens at 375°F for 35–40 minutes, turning halfway.
No Cornish hens? Use chicken quarters or bone-in chicken thighs.
Storage & Leftovers
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days .
Reheat: Reheat gently in a 350°F oven or air fryer to retain crisp skin.
Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
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Spicy Peri-Peri Spatchcocked Cornish Hens
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour (plus marinating)
Yeild: Serves 4
Description
This Peri Peri Cornish Hen recipe delivers a smokey, spicy flavor perfect for a Thanksgiving twist. Easy enough for beginners, with a vibrant homemade sauce and helpful tips.
Ingredients
For the Hen:
- 2 Cornish hens, spatchcocked (butterflied)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- **To Clean the Hen: 2 tablespoon vinegar + Juice of 1 lime or lemon
For the Peri Peri Marinade:
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 medium onion
- 6 garlic cloves
- 10 Thai chili peppers (or Piri Piri peppers if available)
- 6 scallions
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil (for roasting)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil (for blending)
Dry Seasoning Mix:
- 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 Tsp chicken bouillon
- 1/2 Tsp cumin
- 1/2 Tsp brown sugar (balanced flavor)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
- 1Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- 2Roughly chop the bell peppers, onion, garlic, and Thai chilies (no need to roast the scallions, reserve for blending). Toss with 2 Tbsp olive oil and spread on a baking tray.
- 3Roast for about 15-20 minutes, until lightly charred and softened.
- 4In a bowl, mix all dry seasonings.
- 5Add the roasted vegetables, raw scallions, seasoning mix, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and 3 more Tbsp olive oil to a blender. Blend until smooth. No water is needed.
- 6Reserve ¼ cup of the marinade for basting.
Step 2. Marinate the Hens
- 1Clean the Cornish hens with vinegar and lime juice, rinse, and pat dry before seasoning.
- 2Generously season both sides with salt and pepper. This step is essential since the Peri Peri seasoning blend itself doesn’t contain any salt; properly salting the meat ensures deep flavor and perfectly seasoned hens
- 3Rub generously with the Peri Peri marinade. Gently lift the skin of the hen and rub some of the marinade underneath, taking care not to tear the delicate skin.
- 4Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Step 3. Roast the Hens
- 1Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2Place hens on a roasting rack over a sheet pan.
- 3Roast for 45–55 minutes, turning the hens halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the breast for perfectly juicy results.
- 4In the final 10 minutes, brush with the reserved marinade for extra flavor and color.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~430
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 30g
Category: Side Dish
Keywords:
peri-peri Cornish hens, spatchcocked Cornish hen recipe, peri peri spatchcocked hen, spicy peri peri cornish hen, peri peri cornish hens cornish, hen peri peri sauce
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