What to Serve with Cornish Hens (11 Incredible Ideas)

Cornish hens are a delicious and elegant main course that will surely impress your dinner guests. But what should you serve with them?

I’ve been experimenting with different foods that go with cornish hens, and I’ve come up with a list of my favorites.

These options will definitely make your meal more exciting and enjoyable.

What to Serve with Cornish Hens

  1. Corn on the cob
  2. Dinner rolls
  3. Brussels sprout
  4. Mac and cheese
  5. Roasted sweet potatoes
  6. Corn pudding
  7. Glazed carrots
  8. Mushroom rice
  9. Fresh salad
  10. Lemon garlic pasta
  11. Onion rings

Corn on the cob

what to serve with cornish hens

Corn on the cob is a classic side dish that goes well with Cornish hen. The sweet, juicy kernels of corn complement the chicken perfectly and the cob itself adds a nice visual contrast.

Plus, it’s a simple dish to prepare that doesn’t require a lot of ingredients or effort. Simply boil the corn for a few minutes and then serve with butter and salt.

The effective combination of sweet, salty, and savory flavors makes Cornish hen and corn on the cob a perfect match without undermining the chicken as the star of the dish.

Dinner rolls

sides for cornish hens

Dinner rolls are the perfect side dish for Cornish hen. They are buttery and delicious, and they soak up all of the delicious juices from the hen. Plus, they are warm and filling, making them the perfect comfort food for a cold winter night.

Whether you are looking for a side dish to complement your main course or a simple way to round out a meal, dinner rolls are always a good choice. And when served with Cornish hen, they are simply irresistible.

Brussels sprout

side dishes for cornish hens

Roasting Brussels sprouts brings out their sweet, earthy, and nutty flavors, which complement the flavor of the hen perfectly. They also help to cut through the richness of the Cornish hen, making it a perfect combination. Plus, they add a beautiful pop of color to the plate.

Brussels sprouts are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy addition to any meal. When roasted properly, they are tender and crispy, making them a delicious and easy-to-eat side dish.

So if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy side dish to go with your Cornish hen, Brussels sprouts are a perfect choice.

Mac and cheese

cornish hen sides

Mac and cheese is one of the most popular side dishes. It’s creamy, yummy, and hearty – everything that good comfort food should be.

But many people don’t know that mac and cheese is also an excellent combo with Cornish hen. It provides a creamy contrast to the savory bird, and its hearty texture makes it a perfect side dish for a winter meal.

So next time you’re looking for a new side dish to try, don’t forget about mac and cheese! It might just become your new favorite.

Roasted sweet potatoes

what goes with cornish hens

Roasted sweet potatoes are an amazing side dish for Cornish hen. They have a great taste and pair perfectly with Italian seasonings. They also have a beautiful color that really makes the dish pop. Meanwhile, the Parmesan cheese adds a nice touch of flavor and makes the dish even more delicious.

Plus, they’re healthy and full of nutrients. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium, and contain antioxidants that can help to protect your cells from damage.

Overall, roasted sweet potatoes are a fantastic choice for a side dish for Cornish hen. They’re tasty, healthy, and look great on the plate.

Corn pudding

Corn pudding is a great side dish for Cornish hen because it provides a sweet and flavorful custard that balances well with the savory taste of the Cornish hen.

It is made with cornmeal, milk, eggs, sugar, butter, and vanilla extract. The cornmeal gives the pudding a thick consistency, while the milk and eggs provide a rich and creamy flavor. The sugar and butter add sweetness, and the vanilla extract rounds out the flavor.

Corn pudding can be served either savory or sweet, depending on your preference. It can also be garnished with fresh fruit or nuts.

Glazed carrots

Glazed carrots are the perfect side dish for Cornish hen. The natural sweetness of the carrots pairs well with the savory flavors of the hen, and the crunchiness of the carrots provide a nice contrast in texture.

Glazed carrots are also easy to make and can be prepared in advance, making them a great choice for a busy weeknight meal. Best of all, they’re absolutely delicious.

Whether you’re looking for a simple side dish to complement your main course or a tasty way to use up some leftover carrots, glazed carrots are sure to hit the spot.

Mushroom rice

Mushroom rice is the perfect side dish for Cornish hen. The mushrooms add a hearty, earthy flavor to the starchy rice, and the dish can be made with either brown or white rice.

Mushroom rice is also a very versatile dish – it can be served plain, or with a variety of vegetables mixed in. No matter how you prepare it, mushroom rice is sure to please any palate.

Fresh salad

Cornish hens are a delicacy that deserves a delicious and fresh salad as a side dish to bring out the flavors of the Cornish hen. It provides contrasting flavors and textures that balance out the savory taste of Cornish hen.

I prefer to use a balsamic vinaigrette as the preferred dressing because it enhances the natural flavor of the salad without being too overpowering.

The salad should also be crunchy, so I recommend using ingredients like iceberg lettuce, celery, and carrots. Fresh salad is the perfect side dish for Cornish hen because it compliments the dish without overwhelming it.

Lemon garlic pasta

Lemon garlic pasta is a tangy and richly flavored dish that is quick and easy to make. It goes well with Cornish hen because the zesty lemon flavor complements the savory taste of the chicken.

The pasta also helps to round out the meal, providing a filling side dish that is packed with nutrients. Best of all, it can be made with any type of noodle – from shells to spaghetti – so you can easily customize it to suit your taste.

Onion rings

Onion rings are a classic side dish that can be enjoyed with a variety of main courses.

They are usually made by coating slices of onion in batter and then deep-frying them until they are crispy and golden brown. Some recipes call for corn starch to be used in the batter, while others call for rice flour. Onion rings can also be baked instead of fried, although this will result in a less crunchy texture.

When served as a side dish, onion rings pair well with Cornish hen because the rich flavor of the hen is offset by the sweetness of the onions. Their crispy, crunchy texture also provides a nice contrast to the tenderness of the hen.

Whether they are fried or baked, onion rings are sure to please when served as a side dish for Cornish hen.

Other side dishes to try

  • Broccolini
  • Scalloped potatoes
  • Roasted red potatoes
  • Sauteed mushrooms
  • Coleslaw
  • Eggplant Parmesan
  • Butternut squash gratin
  • Feta, radish, and arugula salad
  • Salad Caprese
  • Goat cheese and asparagus quiche

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy side dish to serve with your Cornish hen, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite side dishes that are perfect for complementing the flavor of the chicken. From glazed carrots to lemon garlic pasta, there’s something for everyone on this list.

So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

What to Serve with Cornish Hens (11 Incredible Ideas)

Here are 11 creative pairing suggestions for your next meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine England
Servings 4
Calories 390 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Corn on the cob
  • Dinner rolls
  • Brussels sprout
  • Mac and cheese
  • Roasted sweet potatoes
  • Corn pudding
  • Glazed carrots
  • Mushroom rice
  • Fresh salad
  • Lemon garlic pasta
  • Onion rings

Instructions
 

  • Choose your preferred recipe
  • Prepare the ingredients needed to complete the recipe
  • Prepare your side dish
Keyword Cornish hens, sides for cornish hens, what to serve with cornish hens