Thai Grilled Cornish Game Hens

Friends, let me just tell you—this Thai Grilled Cornish Game Hen recipe is IT. Like… drop the mic, grab the tongs, fire up the grill—it’s what your summer BBQ dreams are made of.

We’re talking juicy, tender little hens marinated overnight in a flavor bomb of Thai spices—soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, coconut sugar, a little heat, a little sweet. The perfect umami explosion. Honestly, if I could bottle this marinade and wear it as perfume, I would.

The result? Crispy skin. Juicy meat. Bold flavors. BBQ perfection.
They’re as fun as my Stuffed Cornish Hens, as tender as these Sous Vide Cornish Hens, and every bit as delicious as my Apple Cider Marinated Grilled Cornish Hens.

Plus—let me repeat—this marinade is awesome. It’s got that same “I want to drink it with a straw” flavor profile as the marinades from my Shrimp Tacos or Vietnamese Pork Noodle Bowl.

Overnight marinade + a few minutes on the grill = summer food goals.

2 grilled cornish game hens covered in sauce and cilantro with lime

Why This Recipe Works

The recipe is easily scalable—double, triple, quadruple… because once people taste it, you’re going to need more hens.
The Thai-inspired marinade is a flavor-packed balance of salty, sweet, savory, and just a touch spicy.
Cornish game hens cook quickly and evenly, making them perfect for grilling.

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What is My Take on Thai Grilled Cornish Game Hens?

This isn’t just your average grilled chicken. Nope. This is like grilled chicken got a passport, traveled through Bangkok’s street food stalls, and came back cooler, juicier, and way more fun.

Cornish game hens are already a little extra (hello, tiny fancy chickens!), and pairing them with a bold Thai marinade makes them downright irresistible.

Make it a Meal

Pair these hens with some light, fresh sides to balance the bold flavors:

Sticky rice or Fluffy Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.
A crisp cucumber salad or quick pickled veggies.
Grilled Thai Eggplant or simple grilled veggies.
Maybe a Thai Iced Tea to wash it down.

Easy Side Dishes

Need more inspo? Try these:

Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

The main ingredients for the marinade are fish sauce, lemongrass, coconut sugar and chili garlic sauce. The full list of ingredients is found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

I always recommend using Red Boat 40 fish sauce as I believe it has the best flavor. You can buy it HERE on Amazon (affiliate link).

Fresh lemongrass can be used here, but I tend to use lemongrass paste as it is easier to find and use - and I believe the flavor is comparable to fresh.

Chili garlic sauce is widely available at grocery stores now, but you can also buy it HERE if you can't find it.

You can substitute brown sugar for the coconut sugar, but I have really come to love the flavor of coconut sugar.

Step By Step Instructions

This grilled cornish game hen recipe calls for spatchcocking your hens. If you've never spatchcocked a chicken, don't worry, it's not hard.

You're pretty much just removing the spine. But if it's your first time, you should totally check out this tutorial from Martha Stewart to learn how to spatchcock a chicken (or in this case a cornish game hen).

Step1: Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.

Step2: Place hens in a freezer bag and add marinade (reserve ⅛ cup marinade for serving). Refrigerate overnight.

Now reserving the marinade is optional, but I 100% recommend it. I love to have just a touch of marinade left over to drizzle over the hens.

Step3: Heat grill to 450F. Grill the hens for 6-8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. I use this Thermapen to get a quick, accurate reading.

Step4: Let them rest for 10 minutes and serve with reserved marinade and fresh limes.

spatchcocked cornish game hens covered in sauce and cilantro with lime

Expert Tips

This marinade is magical on everything—beef, pork, shrimp, fish, heck, even shoe rubber. (Kidding… but not really.)
Internal temperature should reach 160°F. I swear by my instant read Thermapen for perfectly cooked meat every time.
If the skin starts to char too much, just move the hens to a cooler part of the grill or lower the heat.

2 cornish game hens covered in sauce and cilantro with lime

Common Questions

Can I bake these instead of grilling?

Yes! Roast at 400°F for about 45–50 minutes until the internal temp hits 160°F.

Do I have to marinate overnight?

Technically no, but if you want mind-blowing flavor, overnight is best. A few hours will do in a pinch.

Can I use chicken instead of Cornish hens?

Absolutely. The marinade works beautifully on chicken thighs, drumsticks, or even a whole spatchcocked chicken.

Storing Instructions

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 10–15 minutes.
Freezing: Marinated but uncooked hens freeze great. Thaw overnight in the fridge before grilling.

Did you make these grilled cornish game hens? Rate the recipe and leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out.