Cornish hens make special meals—how can you beat guests getting their very own tiny “chicken”? Well, now you need side dishes to go with, so I rustled up 23 ideas for what to serve with Cornish Hens right here.
Does your meal with Cornish hens need something extra?
Get the most out of your Cornish game hens with this fine selection of side dishes!
When it comes to presenting these scrumptious little chickens, none of these 23 luscious side dishes will let you down!
Cornish game hens are more delicate with tender meat and smaller in size than regular chickens, which hail from Cornwall in England.
Also, they tend to have a more mild flavor, which the matching herbs and spices can accentuate.
Cornish chickens cook in a fraction of the time of a whole chicken or turkey, making them ideal for those on a time crunch.
That being said, it is excellent because it’s so tiny that it can easily take in flavor!
There’s no way you can look away from them, no matter how they’re prepared—stuffed, herb-crusted, grilled, or even roasted!
Cornish hens have a refined demeanor that is lacking in other breeds of chicken.
With this as a meal, that means you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of delectable side dishes, as well!
Planning to have this personal-sized Cornish hen for your next special meal?
Here are some terrific ideas for side dishes to serve alongside Cornish hen.
From Roasted Red Potatoes to Herbed Lemon Brown Rice to Parmesan Butternut Squash Gratin, any of these will pair well with your Cornish hen to complete your meal.
And for the ultimate Cornish hen feast combination ever, have it with #23!
Rice is an excellent side dish for savory dishes because it balances and enhances the flavor of the main dish.
Mushrooms’ earthy flavor infused chicken with the right balance of savoriness without being overpowering.
Mushroom Rice can be served as a filling for roasted Cornish hens or as a side dish, and either way, you’ll be delighted!
In combination with roasted meats, potatoes are one of the most adaptable vegetables on the market.
Crunchy skin, tender meat, and mouthwatering spice mixtures come together to make this dish a pleasure.
Potatoes and chickens are inseparable when it comes to eating!
More red potato recipes are listed here!
This pasta is the perfect companion to any meal, thanks to its buttery, lemony mouthfeel.
After adding olive oil, butter, and cream to the lemon parmesan, it retains its delicate and citrusy flavor that goes well with Cornish hen’s mild taste.
Don’t be fooled by its simplicity, as this Lemon Garlic Pasta is incredibly scrumptious and will have the entire family raving!
A Creamy Coleslaw goes well with any meat if you want something light but flavorful to go with it.
It’s a light and crunchy salad with a vinegary flavor.
As a result, it is an excellent accompaniment to fatty, smoke-cured, heavy meats.
5. Dinner Rolls
Grilled Cornish hens are known for their mouthwatering juice, which everyone should sample and enjoy!
Adding some fluffy Dinner Rolls is the perfect way to appreciate every last drop of that delectable juice.
Take a bite and savor the heavenly flavor that comes from soaking up the juice with a piece of bread— yum!
Adding sweetness and meatiness to any dish, these Glazed Carrots are a perfect match for the meatiness of Cornish hens.
Additionally, the crunchy carrots serve as an excellent counterpoint to the chicken’s suppleness.
It’s nearly impossible to beat the combination of sweet and savory flavors.
7. Garden Salad
To go along with your meat, salad is a fantastic choice as it’s fresh, vibrant, and convenient!
Beautifully crisp and light!
Garden-fresh taste is the perfect complement to the rich flavor of Cornish hens in this Garden Salad recipe that is always a hit!
If you’re looking for a trouble-free way to jazz up a meal, this Mac & Cheese recipe is an excellent choice.
A little salty, meaty flavor from your Cornish hens goes well with macaroni’s creamy, rich cheesy deliciousness.
Simply the best way to satisfy your taste buds and tummy!
For side dishes, potatoes reign supreme like this Scalloped Potatoes recipe!
This meal has a symphony of tastes thanks to the combination of thinly chopped potatoes and a creamy milk sauce with a dash of salt and pepper.
In the same way that Cornish hens are rich, delicate, and adorable, so are scalloped potatoes!
If you have Cornish chickens for dinner, this recipe makes a tasty appetizer that everyone will enjoy!
Sweet onions encased in a fragrant, tasty batter and fried to crispy perfection!
For the best experience, preserve their crispness by letting them cool slightly before serving.
11. Cranberry Sauce
Cornish hens and cranberries go together like bread and butter!
Cinnamon’s earthy flavor blends magnificently with orange juice to soften the cranberries’ tartness.
Forget about everything else and enjoy every mouthful of your roasted meat with this sauce!
Brussels sprouts can be made more appealing by following this recipe!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts, with their earthy, sweet, and nutty flavors, are unbeatable as a vegetable side dish, and they pair exceptionally well with proteins.
A sumptuous meal that is both elegant and complete.
13. Sauteed Mushroom
Garlic butter Sauteed Mushrooms until they are golden brown— always a hit!
There are no words to describe the flavor of these perfectly caramelized, golden-brown Sauteed Mushrooms!
There is an excellent flavor match between Cornish hens and mushrooms due to the mushroom’s spongy texture and umami flavor profile.
14. Mushroom Risotto
With a silky texture and flavorful grains, Mushroom Risotto is a great accompaniment to Cornish hen.
As well as having a savory earthiness, mushrooms have a chewy, appealing texture.
Everything about it is absolutely and utterly luscious!
In searching for something sweet and wholesome, sweet potatoes have become the new craze.
Crispy around the outside and soft from the inside, Cornish hens are a match made in heaven for this vegetable!
With its natural sweetness, it not only counters the Cornish hen’s meaty flavor but also adds a crunchy contrast to its suppleness.
Brown rice is a better-for-you alternative to a starchy side dish for your Cornish hen.
The mix of lemon and thyme gives a distinctly citrusy, and minty flavor, that pairs well with fowl and lifts your entreé to a new level of excellence!
There is nothing better than these creamy sweet potato mash-ups with your favorite chicken dish!
In terms of taste, sweet potatoes stand up to their name, bringing an underlying sweetness that pairs well with savory dishes.
Moreover, every mouthful of this sweet potato mash that melts in your mouth is heavenly!
This bubbling, creamy, and toasty Butternut Squash Gratin is a lovely side dish to try.
Toasted panko breadcrumbs and creamy parmesan cheese top these butternut squash rings roasted in the oven.
The cheesy goodness and the inviting aroma are enough to convince you to serve it alongside your meat dishes.
Here are the CookingChew.com tips for freezing your plethora of butternut squash!
Roasted to excellence, this dish is garlicky, buttery, and popping with Creole seasoning’s extra bold flavor.
Cornish chicken will not be overpowered by the sweetness and juiciness of this tasty treat.
In addition to the traditional methods of cooking corn (grilling, boiling, microwaving), you can also make a nice salsa with the kernels instead, which goes well with the Cornish hen you’ll be serving.
This velvety mustard sauce is fantastic with fish, ham, chicken, veggies, or ham, and it only takes a few minutes to put together.
Sour Dijon mustard is tempered by the rich heavy cream in this dish.
With a simple drizzle, you can turn your Cornish hen into an elegant and stunning entreé.
21. Corn Pudding
This corn-sweetened custard dessert is the perfect way to round out a flavorful dinner.
With its sweet and savory custard, Corn Pudding goes well with Cornish hen because it cuts down on its saltiness.
Corn Pudding, a Southern delicacy, is sure to elevate this pairing to the next level!
Why not pair your main dish with a wholesome serving of kale greens?
Just a few manageable ingredients and 15 minutes later, you’ll have a beautiful and appetizing kale side dish on your table.
Kale’s full-bodied flavor and garlic’s pungency make this a winning combination for your Cornish hen recipe!
Finally, a Bourbon Glaze for Cornish hens, because, well, why not?
Glazes are a simple way to enhance the taste and texture of roasted and grilled foods.
With the addition of maple syrup, the bourbon glaze has an extra layer of flavor that is both sweet and spicy.
As spirits with strong taste and a distinct flavor, whiskey and bourbon make excellent sauces or glazes for protein-rich dishes like Cornish hens.
The bottom line
Intensely flavorful, Cornish hens pair perfectly with any of the above-mentioned accompaniments, and many more!
So, if you’re thinking about what to serve with Cornish hens, you now have 23 options to choose from, all of which are well worth a try!
Go on; we know you’ve got this!
What To Serve With Cornish Hens🍴
Need side dish ideas to go with your Cornish game hens? I rustled up 23 ideas for what to serve with Cornish hens right here.
Ingredients
- Mushroom Rice
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Lemon Garlic Pasta
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Dinner Rolls
- Glazed Carrots
- Garden Salad
- Baked Mac & Cheese
- Scalloped Potatoes
- Crispy Onion Rings
- Cranberry Sauce
- Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Sauteed Mushroom
- Mushroom Risotto
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Herbed Lemon Brown Rice
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Parmesan Butternut Squash Gratin
- Oven Roasted Corn On The Cob
- Mustard Cream Sauce
- Corn Pudding
- Sauteéd Kale With Garlic
- Maple Bourbon Glaze
Instructions
- Take a look at our What To Serve With Cornish Hens list!
- Bring the ingredients to create a new favorite dish.
- Woohoo! You created a home-cooked meal!
- Comment your thoughts on our Facebook page!