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Cornish Hens: 12 Stunning Side Dishes

If you have never had Cornish hen before, we encourage you to give it a try. This variety of chicken, originating from Cornwall, tends to be more delicate and less sizable than regular chickens.

They also tend to have a more subtle flavor, which can be enhanced with the right herbs and spices. Because of this, Cornish hens can go with a variety of side dishes. 

Cornish Hens 12 Stunning Side Dishes

Cornish hens will make for a great meal. If you have them as part of a date or dinner party, you are sure to impress anyone who eats it.

There is an air of sophistication to Cornish hens that is not present in typical chickens. If you are intending to cook this meat, here are some side dishes that will perfectly complement the meat. 

Roast Potatoes

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Up first, roast potatoes will be one of the best side dishes for a Cornish hen. When combined with gravy, Cornish hen and roast potatoes will form a heavenly roast dinner.

Consequently, this combination will be particularly great for a Sunday dinner. The perfect roast potato is crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. These potatoes can be further enhanced when scrumptious seasoning is utilized. 

We adore this roast potato recipe because rosemary and garlic have been used to infuse the side dish with luxurious flavors. These potatoes have the ideal texture. Plus, it is quite easy to make.

Though roast potatoes take quite a long time to cook, your patience will be rewarded with these delectable potatoes. Furthermore, the Cornish hen itself will take a while to cook. This means that you can cook the side and main dishes at the same time. 

Salad

In terms of convenience, a salad will be one of the easiest side dishes to pair with Cornish hen. You can try a variety of different salads with your meal. Plus, you can play around with salad recipes, adding different ingredients depending on what is available to you.

If you are looking for a straightforward yet stunning salad, this green salad will be superb. It comes with lots of suggestions and variations for you to try out. Salad will be an especially outstanding side dish for people who are trying to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

Fried Peppers

If you desire a quick and easy side dish, fried peppers will be ideal. This dish will take very little time and does not require many ingredients. Because of this, the peppers will be best suited to people with limited time.

These fried peppers can accompany a variety of dishes, mainly those based around meat. We find the pairing of fried peppers and Cornish hen to be delightful. 

We chose this amazing fried peppers recipe because it is more flavor-filled than a standard fried peppers recipe. Seasoned with garlic, oregano, and salt, these peppers will instantly elevate your Cornish hen.

Though they are fried, peppers are still a nutritious side dish. They are high in vitamins A and C, which are important for vision and bodily development. In addition, peppers are high in potassium. Ultimately, this side dish will not only be mouth-wateringly tasty but will also have nutritional benefits. 

Potatoes Dauphinoise

Do you like potatoes? Do you like creamy sauces? If so, you will love dauphinoise potatoes. These sliced potatoes are cooked in a gorgeous creamy sauce, which is normally flavored with garlic.

If you are searching for an elegant side dish for your Cornish hen, you cannot go wrong with this potato dish. The richness of this dish will pair beautifully with the subtle flavors of the hen. 

Despite its sophistication, dauphinoise potatoes are actually quite simple to make. They only require a handful of ingredients.

This means that you will not need to spend loads of time and money on loads of niche ingredients. This potato dauphinoise recipe is quite simple and will create a luxuriously rich side dish. 

Broccoli

Though it may seem like a somewhat boring side dish, broccoli can taste delectable and can be incredibly healthy.

In fact, many consider it to be a superfood because of its numerous nutritional benefits. If you are health conscious and desire a beneficial side dish, broccoli will be perfect for you. 

Broccoli has quite a mild flavor. Though it can taste pleasant, broccoli’s taste can be enhanced through different cooking methods. If you want a sweet taste to your recipe, we urge you to give this recipe a go.

It caramelizes the broccoli, flavoring them with lemon juice and garlic. Serving this side dish with your Cornish hen will bring out its subdued taste. An additional benefit of this broccoli is that it is quite straightforward. 

Rice

Rice and chicken is an iconic combination. Cornish hens are no different, matching with rice superbly. You can try a range of different rice dishes.

If you are in search of a simple rice dish, you may want to make fluffy basmati rice.  Rice is high in protein, making it an ideal side dish for people who want to build their muscles. 

Mashed Sweet Potato

If you are bored of standard potatoes, you can instead make some luscious side dishes from sweet potatoes. As their name indicated, sweet potatoes have a sweet flavor that pairs superbly with savory dishes.

This sweetness will provide a delightful contrast to the flavor of Cornish hen. We especially adore mashed sweet potatoes. Though you can also make roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes work particularly well. 

This mashed sweet potato has a subtly sour taste that is incredibly effective. This is due to the inclusion of sour cream. It has been superbly seasoned with garlic, green onion, and parsley.

The recipe creates a perfectly creamy mashed potato. Like roast potatoes, Cornish hens work well with these mashed potatoes when they are drizzled in gravy. 

Macaroni and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese is perhaps our favorite side dish. It is an especially great side dish for chicken, perfectly complementing its flavor. If you love cheese, macaroni and cheese will be the ideal side dish for you.

This is a very homely side dish. Though it may not be the healthiest of meals, macaroni and cheese is an incredible comfort food. 

If you are looking for a convenient yet scrumptious macaroni and cheese recipe, we suggest this one. It uses dry mustard for extra flavor. You can also add paprika or thyme if you want to enhance the taste of this side dish.

You can also add bacon to your macaroni and cheese if you want a meaty twist to it. This bacon will also complement the Cornish hen’s taste.  

Cauliflower Cheese

Do you love mac and cheese? If so, you will probably adore cauliflower cheese. This dish involves cooking cauliflower in a deliciously cheesy sauce. You may want to try this dish if you want a healthier version of macaroni and cheese.

After all, cauliflower is an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is important for development and is important for the running of different body functions. 

In Britain, this dish is normally present in a roast dinner. It is often served with chicken, hence why it is a good accompaniment to Cornish hen. This indulgent recipe will allow you to fulfill your cheese fix.

Though cheddar is the recommended cheese, feel free to experiment with other varieties. 

Carrots

Next, do you want a super quick side dish that is healthy? If so, boiled carrots will be well suited to you. Carrots will add vibrant color to your Cornish hen, with their orange coloring adding some brightness.

Though you might think carrots maybe a little dull, we promise you that they can actually be filled with flavor. The carrots are cooked with maple syrup and chives, enhancing the flavor of this dish considerably. 

Roasted Parsnips

If you are bored of roast potatoes, you can instead try roasted parsnips. Though other roasted vegetables are delicious, parsnips are the only ones that can rival potatoes.

Parsnips have a sweet, almost spicy taste to them that is very distinctive. If you want a sophisticated side dish for your Cornish hen, roast parsnips are sure to go down a treat.

There is a popular trend of roasting parsnips in honey, thus bringing out their sweetness. An excellent example of this method comes in the form of this recipe.

Extremely simple, this recipe only requires a handful of ingredients. Despite their simplicity, roast parsnips seem way posher than they actually are. 

Brussel Sprouts

Though they are not everyone’s favorite, you cannot deny that Brussel sprouts are healthy. In fact, they are a good source of vitamins C and K.

Aside from their nutritional value, Brussel sprouts are also liked by some because of their sharp taste. This flavor will match perfectly with Cornish hen. 

If you are not the biggest fan of Brussel sprouts, there are steps you can take to liven up the dish. For instance, this scrumptious recipe sautés the sprouts with bacon and onion.

This will enhance their flavor, making them more palatable to people who are not fans of sprouts. This will be a particularly great side dish in the winter since this is when sprouts are in season. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Cornish Hen So Expensive? 

As delicious as Cornish hen is, it is less rarely consumed than other meats because of its high cost. Part of the reason for this is that it has a long reputation for being quite a rare meat.

When you buy a Cornish hen, there is an expectation that it will be more luxurious than chicken. Many people are willing to spend extra money for this reputation. 

What Is The Difference Between A Cornish Hen And A Chicken?

As mentioned, the primary difference between cornish hens and chickens is that the latter is bigger than the former.

Cornish hens also tend to be more tender and lower in fat than standard chickens. There may also be a discrepancy in taste, with chicken having a slightly more potent flavor. 

Why Are They Called Cornish Hens?

These hens get this name because they originate from Cornwall, England. Despite originally being known as Indian hens, they got the name “Cornish hens” in 1910.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Cornish hens can be paired with several side dishes. Choosing the right side dish will depend on your taste and the vibe of the meal.

For example, if you want a sophisticated atmosphere, you should consider serving the dish with dauphinoise potatoes or roasted parsnips. If you want a more homely feel, you may want to opt for macaroni and cheese.  

Cornish Hens: 12 Stunning Side Dishes

What should I serve with Cornish hen? Here are 12 side dishes for you to try. From roasted parsnips to cauliflower cheese, these dishes will create gorgeous meals.

Directions

  • Pick a recipe from the list above
  • Click the recipe name and visit the website
  • Collect the ingredients and cook the food
  • Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

Jess Smith
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causinga stir

Tuesday 17th of May 2022

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