How would I adapt this ?

Question

I want to make a nice Labor day dinner, but it calls for Cornish hens, each to be 1/4 lb divided in half. That's a joke, my family would be looking for something else after the hens!

Anyway, I bought small chickens instead each weighing just under 5 lbs.

I want to half them and prepare them the same as I would for the cornish hens.

The recipe calls for 6 tbs of soy sauce, 1/4 cup lime juice, plus other ingredients I can figure out myself.

This recipe says to cook each hen 12 minutes on each side.

How long would I cook the chickens per side, and how would I adjust the other ingredients.

They are to be made on the outside grill.

Answer 1

The best way to achieve desired doneness is to use an internal meat thermometer.  The chicken MUST be cooked to 165 degrees, otherwise, the salmonella is a threat. IF it were me, I would cook the chicken on the grill about 5 minutes on each side, and then finish it off in the oven at 350 degrees, until the chicken is cooked.

Answer 2

a better way to do this recipe (i think) is to marinade the chickens with enough marinade as will result in the same taste as the Cornish Hens. then microwave (6 minutes per pound) till almost done. then put on your grill. this way the birds don't take as long to cook on the grill, you KNOW that they are cooked sufficiently, and finishing up on the grill (with extra sauce basted on often, will still give you that grilled  chicken taste.