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 RodRI
Rhode Island
on January 09, 2013
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This recipe has potential but it was not a real success for me. I think it might have been due to the Purdue game hens I used which come in the plastic bags. I stuck with the recipe but birds gave off so much water during cooking that they were steamed more than browned/grilled.
I will try this again at some point with Whole Food's air chilled birds. That should improve the results enormously.
By idearz
San Francisco, CA
on July 15, 2012
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Tasted ok, not crispy at all. Disappointing.
By CynthiaC_9894562
indiana, PA
on June 17, 2012
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Just made this dish for the first time last night. I've made chicken at least 100 different ways over the years but this recipe is definitely one of the best ones I've ever made!! It deserves a "10". I will be making this again soon! I also rubbed some of the rub under the skin-FANTASTIC!! Just remember to cover it in foil when it's done cooking and let it rest for about 10 minutes-it was soooo juicy! Anne, can't wait till your next cook book comes out-You are amazing & entertaining :
Thanks so much,
Cynthia C
Indiana, PA
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