Chef John's Calabrian Chicken

Tender game hens are marinated in spicy Italian-inspired seasonings and grilled for a delightfully flavorful and very pretty dish.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 698 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons grated orange zest
• 1 cup white wine vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 anchovy fillet
• 2 Cornish game hens
• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon Calabrian hot chili sauce, or more to taste
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.

Step 2

Place white wine vinegar, vegetable oil, rosemary, orange juice, garlic, egg, Calabrian chili sauce, orange zest, kosher salt, and anchovy fillet into a blender. Pulse several times to combine; blend until marinade is smooth and creamy.

Step 3

Remove game hens from marinade, reserving marinade. Dry birds on paper towels. Season breast sides with salt.

Step 4

Lay a game hen breast-side down on a work surface; use kitchen shears or a sharp knife to cut the backbone out of game hen, cutting through each side of the bone from top to bottom. Remove the backbone. Use a sharp knife to slice through the cartilage of the breastbone. Flip game hen breast-side up, flatten bird lightly with your hands, and twist the wing tips underneath the wings. Repeat with remaining game hen.

Step 5

Place game hens into a resealable heavy plastic bag and pour in marinade. Squeeze out air, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours but preferably 8 hours to overnight.

Step 6

Place game hens breast-side down onto the preheated grill and cook until skin shows browned grill marks, about 5 minutes; rotate hens 45 degrees and grill for 5 more minutes to make crosshatch grill marks.

Step 7

Flip game hens onto their backs, brush with reserved marinade, and grill with the lid on for 5 minutes. Brush hens with more marinade. Repeat, cooking for 5 minutes, then brushing with more marinade, until game hens are deep golden brown and an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a thigh reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 35 more minutes. Flip hens breast-side down, brush once more with marinade, and cook with the lid closed until marinade has glazed onto chicken, about 5 more minutes.

Step 8

Transfer hens to a serving platter and let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.