Step 1

In a large bin or container with a lid pour in all your brine ingredients and give it a good swirl.

Step 2

Set your game hens in the brine, if your hens aren't frozen throw in some ice and refrigerate for at least 24 hours.

Step 3

Note *I put my frozen Cornish game hens in the brine on a Tuesday night and smoked them on Saturday, they stayed cold and icy so I didn't add ice*

Step 4

HOW TO SMOKE CORNISH HENS:

Step 5

Prep your smoker, I always start by turning it on and placing in my chips. (I love to use apple pucks) and get good smoke going. I add my water tray after I get the smoke going from my pucks and then open up my smoke pipe.

Step 6

Bradley Apple Bisquettes 48 pack

Step 7

Smoke Hollow 3016DEW 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker with Window, Black

Step 8

Habor Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Step 9

While waiting for a good smoke, spray down the racks to your smoker with a non-stick spray or rub with olive oil.

Step 10

Remove your cornish game hens from your brine and set onto your smoker racks.

Step 11

Once you have smoke rolling for your smoker place your chickens in your smoker.

Step 12

I kept my smoker at 200-225 (way easier in colder weather), I like to cook to meat temperature low and slow.

Step 13

Keep an eye on your smoker and smoke the chickens for a couple of hours and double-check doneness with a thermometer.

Step 14

They will have nice crisp skin and color to them!