Spicy Sweet Cornish Hens
Delicious and juicy Cornish Hens, marinated and basted in a Teriyaki Curry Sauce. Spicy and Sweet flavors unite!
When my daughter turned thirteen she didn’t ask me for makeup or a new phone; what she asked me for instead, was a puppy!
And of course, I said no! After all, we already had an older dog.
But, Murphy’s law or fate (depending on whose point of view you take), intervened and we crossed paths with an abandoned puppy at our local animal shelter. When we took him to the vet’s the next day, the vet was overjoyed to tell us that he thought our puppy was a rare-to-be-found-in-this-area Newfoundland! He went on to tell us that they grew to be about 150-170 LBS! 😯 And I had to sit down as I couldn’t imagine walking a dog that big!
But, as time went by, our little Ollie didn’t seem to grow like the vet said he would. He seemed to eat 5 times his weight, but, at his one year check-up, he was only 53 lbs. It was then that the vet said that maybe Ollie wasn’t a pure bread Newfoundland after all! Yes! He was a mix! A fusion – of a Newfoundland and a smaller dog! Which meant he wouldn’t take up my whole kitchen when he was in it!
Even though I reluctantly let him into our lives, my daughter and I adore our little fusion dog! And, speaking of “fusion”, we also happen to love this fusion Spicy Sweet Teriyaki Curry sauce I’ve been making for awhile now. It is a simple blend of Kikkoman® Teriyaki Sauce, coconut milk, fresh garlic & onion, curry powder, cayenne and paprika. I cannot take full credit for it as I vaguely recall reading about a similar recipe somewhere. This sauce is incredible with just about every meat, fish or veggie around.
For today’s recipe, I grilled up some Tyson® Cornish Hens as a special treat, which I had marinated in the Teriyaki Curry sauce for a couple of hours. These Tyson Cornish Hens are All Natural with no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and No added hormones or steroids. The Kikkoman® Teriyaki Sauce acted as a brine and helped the Cornish Hens stay juicy! I picked up both these items when I was on my weekly grocery run at my neighborhood Walmart store.
Started off these Spicy Sweet Teriyaki Curry Cornish Hens by:
• First adding a chopped onion and garlic to a pan with olive oil in it, and sauteing till onions were translucent
• Then I added a can of full fat coconut milk to the pan, along with 1/2 a cup of teriyaki sauce
• Followed by adding 1 1/2 teaspoons of curry powder, cayenne and paprika and letting the sauce simmer for 30 minutes over a low/medium flame – stirring occasionally. When done – I let it cool a little.
• I then placed two Tyson® Cornish Hens in another pan and marinated them in half the sauce.
• The other half of the sauce, I returned to the stove and let it reduce down over a very low flame (for about 30-40 minutes)
• After a couple of hours, I grilled the Cornish Hens on foil for about 35-40 minutes, basting them with the thickened sauce during the last 10 minutes or so of grilling.
• Then, let the Cornish Hens cool down before enjoying with more of the reduced down, Spicy Sweet, Teriyaki Curry Sauce.
Here in Georgia, we tend to stay warm till early October; so, my daughter and I are trying our very best to soak up as much of summer as we can by grilling and staying outside as much as we can. And I must say, Kikkoman’s sauces and marinades (whether used in fusion sauces like this, or straight up) are perfect for grilling up meats and veggies while it’s still grilling season!
[Tweet “Ad: Spicy Sweet Teriyaki Curry Cornish Hens #JuicyGrilledCornish #ad #cbias @RunninSrilankan”]
What is YOUR favorite fusion cuisine?
Check out the highlighted links for more ideas on grilling Tyson® Cornish Hens and ideas for using Kikkoman® Sauces in your favorite recipes. I’d love to hear your favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup Kikkoman® Teriyaki Sauce
- 11/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 Tyson® Cornish Hens
Instructions
- Saute onion and garlic in a pan with olive oil in it, till onions are translucent
- Add coconut milk to the pan
- Then add teriyaki sauce, curry powder, cayenne and paprika and let the sauce simmer for 30 minutes over a low/medium flame - stirring occasionally. When done - let cool a little.
- Place two Tyson® Cornish Hens in another pan and marinated them in half the sauce.
- Return the other half of the sauce to the stove top and let it reduce down over a very low flame (for about 30-40 minutes)
- After a couple of hours, grill the Cornish Hens on foil for about 35-40 minutes, basting them with the thickened sauce during the last 10 minutes or so of grilling.
- Let the Cornish Hens cool down before enjoying with more of the reduced down, Spicy Sweet, Teriyaki Curry Sauce.
Mmm!! Fun Story – every year Joshua and I prepare something different for Christmas Dinner. I know it sounds crazy to some, but we really love changing it up. If only this recipe existed when we ate cornish hens a few years back. Guess it’s a good reason to eat some again, huh? 🙂
I love this idea of trying something new, Jessie! It’s not crazy at all! In fact, my daughter and I used to pcka dessert from a different country, find a recipe and try it out every Christmas – we skipped last year – but we need to bring it back this year for sure!
You know what? I’ve actually NEVER had a cornish hen! I always see them and wonder if I should try them because they’re SO cute and little, but never do!
BUT with curry AND teriyaki?! I need to try! Pinned!
YES YES YES – you definitely need to try! They are super moist and I know for sure, you’d make a killing recipe! P.S Cannot wait to see what you come up with! 🙂
October? Hah! I’m calling your bluff there, Shashi. I remember wearing shorts and sweating on Thanksgiving Day a few years back. (In fact, I think it might have been the last Thanksgiving before we moved…) But back to this post…I love the story about Ollie! Our little Ethel is a rescue mix (from Atlanta actually). While she might be smaller than Ollie, her personality more than makes up for it. Oh, and these cornish hens look amazing! I made some hens last summer, but I haven’t done it yet this year. I clearly need to get on that before the snows come next month. (hah…I kid…sortof). 🙂
Haha! David, I think we have different ideas of what constitutes “cold” weather – it hits 65 and I need my fleece and hot chocolate! Speaking of cold weather – I’ve been in NYC for Thanksgiving, and after walking around for a couple of hours, my ears almost fell off!
Every dog I’ve had has been a “fusion” dog – and like Ethel and Ollie – they have all been spunky!
I am definitely not brave enough to make a cornish hen! It seems scary but looks amazing!!
Thanks Beth, actually, it’s not too scary at all..
That dog is a giant! Your cornish hens look absolutely marvelous. Do I add the teriyaki together with coconut milk?
Haha – he is big compared to the other little dogs in our neighborhood, but yet, he never barks at them even though they chase after him!
Yes – you do add the teriyaki with the coconut milk …I need to check the recipe and make sure I posted that part…thanks Angie
Oh my goodness. I have always, ALWAYS loved Newfies. There was a gorgeous black Newfoundland at the cottages we rented on Lake Winnipesaukee growing up. I loved seeing him every year. Ollie is just so adorable. And those are some amazing looking corns hens….Mmmm. I smell dinner!!!!
Allie, when our vet thought Ollie was a newfie, he went and got his laptop and spent the net hour showing me picture upon picture of newfies! They sure were adorable – but huge! Even though I’ve had big dogs growing up – these were like little bears!
Thanks so much BTW
Now that’s the way to cook a cornish hen. Look how marvelously glazed it is. I bet it’s deliciously sticky too.
Well done my friend!
You bet right – it was sticky indeed!
Thanks so much my friend!
Sounds great! I love cornish hens but haven’t cooked with them in years! I always forget!
Hey – maybe it’s time now? 🙂
BTW – Thanks Melanie
I love the small size of cornish hens and there’s something about them that makes them seem so special. Your fusion sauce looks so good!
You are so right Christin – their size makes them seem elegant when cooked! Thanks BTW
It’s been years since I’ve made a Cornish hen! Need to again, and try this recipe — awesome flavors! Awesome story, too — thanks for telling us that.
Thanks so much KR!
SWEEEEET!! OMG.. I am so intrigued!! this looks so flavourful. I have never tried cornish hens before but I need to.. now.. Yumm! Pinning to try!! 🙂
Thanks so much Arpita!
Those are some beautiful cornish hens. It seems the ones I’ve tried in the past were so tiny there was hardly any meat. These look great and the way you’ve prepared them is spectacular!! Definitely mouthwatering!!
Awww shucks – thanks so much Chris!
I’ve never had or cooked Cornish hens!
Girl – you gotta try one sometime…soon!!!
Not sure I’ve ever had a cornish hen? Maybe at a restaurant? I’ve certainly never cooked them, but this recipe makes me want to try! Plus that sauce looks delish! Pinning!
Thanks so much Ashley!
Goodness, Shashi, I’m eating a really awesome dinner right now and I stillll want to have one of these! *-* It looks so good! 😀 I’ve never been brave enough to try making cornish hen, but…I’m going to need to. :O!
Thanks so much Farrah!!! They are actually not that hard to make – easier than chicken…
Awww…..I’m so glad you couldn’t resist Ollie!! Now this is why I never go to the shelter. I wouldn’t be able to resist another puppy….
Adore what you’ve done with the chicken – coconut milk? FAB flavour combo!
Thanks Nagi – I was’t planning on going either, but my daughter overheard a friend tell me that the shelter just got 3 puppies who had been abandoned in a park and she wanted to go – she said “just to look, mom”…just to look indeed….
Awww yay for dogs! haha I think I would totally be the crazy dog lady if my husband would let me 🙂
These cornish hens sound wonderful! Love that sauce!
Ashley – my daughter would be that crazy dog lady too!!!
Thanks so much BTW!
Such a sweet dog story! I’m a dog tragic-one look at their faces and I am unable to resist! 😀 What a stellar looking recipe Shashi. These would be so perfect to serve to guests as they’re already portioned!
Thanks so much Lorraine – my daughter gives me her puppy dog eyes and I am unable to resist! 🙂
Your puppies are so sweet! And hooray when it comes for fusion – in dogs AND food! This dish of yours looks delicious!
Haha – fusion is the best! Thanks Marissa!
I’ve never made a cornish hen… it looks so pretty though! I love your curry twist on it… yum!
Thanks so much Elizabeth!
Wanna know why I like cornish game hens?? Because I can have a WHOLE ONE to myself… It’s the perfect portion for my big mouth!
Haha – duuuuuuuuuuuuuude – I couldn’t finish a whole one – I did try though….
I am not impressed. Dudes are supposed to stick together and finish their hens!
Hahaha! Next time…net time I won’t run my mouth talking, I will run it eating!
Wow… Just to look at them make me drool. What a great dish, Shashi!
Thanks so much Denise
Yay for bringing Ollie home, he’s so adorable! These cornish hens look amazing! Love the teriyaki curry sauce!
Thanks so much Kelly! Ollie is a cutie indeed! 🙂
I love Teriyaki Sauce sauce, and mainly use it on my stir fry’s. Lovely pups Shashi 🙂
Thanks so much Tandy
Oh my…you’ve reminded me of the first time I made cornish hens…I was so excited, feeling that they were so elegant, of course – and as I removed them from the oven and went to set them on the counter – I missed and they fell, all over the floor – juices and all! Funny now…sad then! ha! I will take special care to make sure these babies don’t fall – such a flavor packed recipe! I love it!
Oh no Annie!!! Well, I hope you get to make them again soon (maybe even try this recipe)and not drop them next time 🙂
Thanks so much!
Fate it must have been as I am sure your little puppy dog is your best running partner and also perfectly sized to stay in the kitchen to assist you in clean up patrol. I saw your delicious little hens on several social media sites and at first I could not believe it! I don’t think I have ever seen such a beautiful bird. They are perfectly golden and beautiful. Sharing everywhere!
Haha – yeah, you are right – he is a great dog – but I only take him running in winter – he gets really hot in summer and just stops after a couple of miles and it’s kinda hard for me to carry him back! 🙂
Thanks so much Bobbie
Those Cornish Hens look so inviting! I bet your kitchen smelled wonderful!
Thanks so much Cindy – it sure did!
Wow! That dog is really giant Shashi! These cornish hens looks absolutely delicious! And addition of teriyaki sauce sounds even more YUM! 🙂
Haha! Anu – I’ve had big dogs since I was little, besides, they are good deterrents!
Thanks so much!
Wow, what a beautiful dinner. Totally worthy of being an entree at a dinner party. 🙂
Thanks so much Ramona!
I love fusion dogs and this fusion dish sounds amazing as well! [client]
Haha – thanks so much Janet!
Hi Shashi,
This recipe sounds amazing! If I were to roast this in the oven instead, how would I need to modify the cooking process?
Thanks!
Thanks Shakeel – if you baked them, then make sure to preheat your oven to 375 and bake them for 1 hour (or until their internal temp is 180 F). In the last 15 minutes or so, you might want to drape them with some foil just so they don’t burn
Excellent! I will try this out. Thanks 🙂