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Alton Brown's Spatchcocked Game Hen Recipe

This recipe, inspired by Alton Brown's Thanksgiving show, delivers a juicy, crispy spatchcock game hen perfect for a single serving or a romantic dinner! Say goodbye to boring poultry – this method yields incredibly crunchy skin and tender meat in under 20 minutes. Using a panini press (or even a heavy skillet!), this recipe is quick, easy, and surprisingly impressive. No bricks required! We'll show you how to achieve perfect results with household substitutes.

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 280.1 kcal
Protein 96g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Alton Brown's Spatchcocked Game Hen 104

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Alton Brown's Spatchcocked Game Hen

  • 2 (1 to 1 1/4 lb.) Cornish game hens
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
  • as needed nonstick cooking spray

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How to Make Alton Brown's Spatchcocked Game Hen

  1. Preheat your panini press to high heat. If using a skillet, preheat it over medium-high heat.
  2. Place the game hen breast-side down on a cutting board.
  3. Using kitchen shears or sharp scissors, remove the backbone by cutting along each side of it. Discard the backbone.
  4. Flatten the bird. To keep the legs from splaying, you can make small slits in the skin behind the legs and tuck the drumsticks into them.
  5. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Lightly spray the cooking surface of your panini press (or skillet) with cooking spray. Place the game hen skin-side up on the hot surface.
  7. Spray the skin with additional cooking spray. If using a panini press, close the lid and firmly press down. If using a skillet, top with a heavy oven-safe plate or cast iron skillet.
  8. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the skin is deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). If using a skillet, you may need to cook for a few minutes longer.
  9. Remove from heat and let the game hen rest for 3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful bird.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

79 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

10g

Carbs

0g

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Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Poultry Chicken Recipes American Healthy Gluten Free Keto Paleo Fall Recipes Holiday Recipes 30 Minutes Or Less

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Preparation For 1 Or 2 Healthy 5 Ingredients Or Less Very Low Carbs Easy Low Fat Dietary Low Saturated Fat Low Calorie Low Carb Low In Something Number Of Servings