Cornish Hen vs. Chicken

Eggspert

Does anyone think there is a big difference between CH and the regular chic? I have never cooked a CH and wanted to Spatchcock one but, I am unsure of if the taste would be better or the same. Any thoughts?

Little Steven

Eggspert,

Cornish hens are in fact immature chickens.

Steve

Richard Fl

Price is a major difference. I like to stuff them.

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=599473&catid=1

RRP

We enjoy an occasional Cornish Hen and sometimes I'll splat-**** them but other times I beer butt them using the small Willie Chicken sitters like the one in the back. The front one is for a regular chicken.


Taste wise I think they are just more delicate and obviously less meat, but each person gets their own whole bird!

Little Chef

Eggspert....Cornish Hens are a wonderful treat! More tender than a chicken, though you may not detect much of a flavor difference at all. A Cornish Hen is a special crossbreed, and you will find proportionately more breast meat than you would on a regular chicken. They are specially bread, and as sold are at their mature state (sorry Steve).
They would be fantastic Spatchcocked. Here are a couple I did "leaping frog" style.....

These were cooked indirect at 400-425* dome, and were done in about 40 minutes. (Remember cook to internal temps, not time. 160-165* breast, 180*+ thighs)
Wishing you the best!

Little Steven

Michelle,

Rock Cornish hen is a special small breed. Most of what is sold in the stores is young chicken in the five week old range. Just did some research on it a couple of weeks ago.

Steve

Unknown

You are correct sir.

Frank from Houma

You can get three stuffed on a mini over some veggies



Gotta try that leaping froggy thing - bet they cook phast

Photo Egg

Again, this is just a great cook you did on the Mini.
Your photo tells the story perfect.
darian

Buckethead

5 week chickens are in the range of 4.5 lbs. Cornish hens are different than broilers. (trust me)
dMo