Step 1

Add 1 cup of salt to 1 gallon of cold water

Step 2

Stir until the salt is dissolved

Step 3

Add 1 cup of brown sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved.

Step 4

Rinse cornish hens under cold water

Step 5

Place birds in food safe container such as a bowl or zip top bag

Step 6

Pour brine over birds to cover

Step 7

Place brining container with cornish hens into fridge for 1.5 hours

Step 8

When brining time is elapsed, rinse birds under cold water

Step 9

Pat dry with paper towel

Step 10

Apply mayonnaise liberally to cornish hens

Step 11

Sprinkle rub on top, bottom and sides of chickens

Step 12

Set up smoker for cooking at 230 to 260°F. If you can maintain the higher temperature, the hens will only take about 1.5 hours. At the lower end, they will take about 2 hours.

Step 13

Once smoker is ready, place birds on smoker grate breast side down

Step 14

Continue cooking until they reach 165°F as read by a digital meat thermometer.

Step 15

Remove the chickens from the grate when they are done and place one cornish hen on each person’s plate with sides.