Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 3 sprigs rosemary, leaves finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon pimenton
- 1 teaspoon toasted ground cumin
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Cornish game hens, butterflied, backbone and wing tips removed, legs tied with kitchen string
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3/4 cup chicken stock
Directions
Special equipment: weights such as foil covered bricks or cast iron saute pan
In a small bowl combine the garlic, crushed red pepper, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, pimenton, and cumin. Drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes a paste. Place the chicken into a large bowl and massage with the spice mixture. Let marinate for 12 to 24 hours in the refrigerator or 2 hours at room temperature.
* If refrigerating the chicken, remove from the refrigerator 45 minutes to 1 hour before cooking to let the chicken come to room temperature.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Lay the marinated chicken in the pan, skin side down. Oil the bottom of another large saute pan, lay it on top of the chickens and place bricks or weights in the second saute pan. Cook the chicken until the skin starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Place the whole shootin' match in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.
Remove the pans from the oven and remove the weights and the top pan. At this point the skin should be lovely and dark brown. Check the chicken for doneness, it should be cooked through but still succulent and juicy. Remove the chickens from the pan and reserve on a large platter.
Remove the excess fat from the saute pan and add the white wine. Cook over high heat until the wine has reduced by more than half. Add the chicken stock, season with salt and reduce by half.
Arrange chicken on serving plates or a platter. Spoon the juices over. Tastes like chicken!


















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By cat1962
Fort Worth, Texas
on March 10, 2012
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OMG - never would have thought of a dry rub with spanish paprika and cumin for an overnight marinade but it was fabulous. One of the best chicken dishes, and I don't like chicken ever!
By bvukovich_7629951
kenosha, WI
on January 23, 2012
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yummy, easy, makes you feel like a CHEF!!!! thanks - this is a keeper for kids, husband, friends, etc .. .
By motten_7556905
Austell, GA
on December 09, 2011
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I loved this recipe - although I changed a couple of things. But all the "how to's" worked perfectly and the result was equally perfect. I used bone-in chicken breasts and exchanged dry mustard for the cumin. It was perfect - - moist, meaty, very nicely browned, and the sauce was a great add-on. I added a pat or two of butter to the sauce at the end prior to serving. This recipe is a "lock" -- easy and great for everyday or special guests. Oh, after oiling the bottom of the smaller pan, I placed a brick from the back yard in the smaller pan as a weight (after wrapping it in foil - again, worked perfectly.
Read all 38 reviews