Cornish hens are not something you have every day. However, if you like to prepare them, you should know what goes with them and what does not. Either way, when you decide to go with cornish hens, you will want to let them shine.
Keep on reading to know what to eat with cornish hens! You can make these sides with cornish hens ahead of time, but they are a great complement to your favorite cornish hen recipes.
What Are Cornish Hens?
Cornish game hen is also called Rock Cornish game hen. The name comes from the fact that this is a broiler chicken resulting from a cross between the Cornish and White Plymouth Rock breeds. Because of this cross, the resulting chicken is very small and often weighs less than two pounds.
Despite being called a game hen, you cannot catch this chicken in the wild. Because the chicken is slaughtered when still immature and small, the meat is very tender and expensive. The chicken can be both female and male, and it does not affect the meat texture or flavor.
These days, small organic farms and even families in their backyards are the number one producers of cornish hens. Cornish hens are not good for laying eggs, and they are only bred for their meat. You can find cornish hens in grocery stores sold frozen or ready to be cooked.
Since the meat is tender and more flavorful, many restaurants prefer cornish hens over broiler chicken. In recent years, the cornish hen has become a staple of winter dishes since it satisfies cravings while adding protein and flavor. In some cases, you will have a harder time finding cornish hens and might have to search in local farms or organic supermarkets.
Nutrition Facts
One cup of cornish hen with skin (140 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
360 calories
81.5 g water
30.9 g protein
25.3 g fat
0 g carbohydrate
0 g fiber
0 g sugar
18.2 mg calcium
1.26 mg iron
25.2 mg magnesium
203 mg phosphorus
340 mg potassium
540 mg sodium
44.8 µg vitamin A
182 mg cholesterol
Cornish hens can be a great source of protein for very little fat. However, it all depends on how you prepare the chicken. Using a cooking method like baking or broiling and less sodium will make your cornish hens healthier.
What Goes Well With Cornish Hens?
Below are some cornish hen sides that you can serve at any time!
#1. Mushroom and Bacon Risotto
This delicious mushroom and bacon risotto is perfect when you want to pair your cornish hens with something decadent and filling. You can switch up the bacon for other vegetables if you want to keep things low-fat.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
6 slices bacon, diced
1 cup Arborio rice
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups mushrooms, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
½ teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your mushroom and bacon risotto:
Wash, clean, and chop your onion.
Add the oil to a saucepan along with the garlic. Once hot, add in the onion and cook for two minutes.
Stir in the bacon and cook everything for five minutes.
Add the mushrooms and cook for another five minutes.
Stir in the Arborio rice and cook for a couple of minutes.
Pour the broth over the rice, and lower the heat to a simmer. Cook for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the rice absorbs all the liquid.
Stir in parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Serve your mushroom and bacon risotto hot with parmesan on top.
#2. Broccolini with Sesame Sauce
If you like a classic broccoli side dish, then this broccolini with sesame sauce is perfect for you. It combines sweet, savory, and umami flavors that elevate the meal.
Ingredients:
A bunch of broccolini
½ yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon miso
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your broccolini with sesame sauce:
Wash, clean, and chop your vegetables. Make sure to trim the ends of your broccolini.
Add the broccolini to a pot with water and salt. Cook it while the water boils for about 5 minutes. Drain your broccolini and set it aside.
Pour ½ tablespoon of the oil onto a saucepan, add the onion and garlic—Cook—Cook for 5 minutes.
In the meantime, mix the tahini, miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, vegetable oil, lemon juice, cumin, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Stir in the cooked onion and broccolini. Toss well, making sure the sauce covers the vegetables entirely.
Serve your broccolini with sesame sauce hot on the side of your cornish hens.
#3. Scalloped Potatoes
Potatoes and chicken are always a delicious combination. These scalloped potatoes are delicious and decadent.
Ingredients:
½ stick of butter
1 yellow onion, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
⅓ cup heavy whipping cream
6 to 8 potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your scalloped potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
Wash, clean, and peel your potatoes. Slice the potatoes and set them aside.
Wash, clean, and dice your onion and set it aside.
Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in the flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir constantly and cook for 5 more minutes.
Add the milk and heavy cream, and bring the liquid to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for another minute.
Grease a baking dish and set your sliced potatoes on it.
Pour your sauce and make sure all potatoes are covered.
Bake your potatoes for 1 hour or until tender. Allow the potatoes to stand for 5 minutes.
Serve your scalloped potatoes hot with cornish hens on the side.
#4. Glazed Root Vegetables
Glazed root vegetables are perfect for crunch and flavor. This recipe is simple yet very delicious and perfect for any chicken meal.
Ingredients:
4 parsnips
4 large carrots
3 golden beets
1 yellow onion, sliced
½ cup olive oil
⅓ cup honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your glazed root vegetables:
Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Wash, clean, and slice your vegetables. Set them aside.
Combine the olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
Add the vegetables and toss well.
Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Place the vegetables and the remaining marinade on top.
Roast your vegetables for 45 minutes, shift the vegetables halfway through.
Remove your vegetables from the oven.
Sprinkle with thyme and parsley. Toss well.
Place the vegetables in the oven and roast once more for a few minutes.
Serve your glazed root vegetables hot on the side of your cornish hens.
#5. Wild Rice with Cranberries
This wild rice with cranberries is both sweet and savory. You can add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, scallions, or carrots.
Ingredients:
2 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
¾ cup wild rice
1 yellow onion, diced
¼ cup dry cranberries
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons shaved almonds
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your wild rice with cranberries:
Wash, clean, and chop your onion.
Add the water and chicken broth to a saucepan. Add the wild rice.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 50 minutes or until the rice is tender.
In the meantime, add the olive oil and garlic to a skillet.
Stir in the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the shaved almonds, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes.
Once the rice is ready, add the onion mixture to the saucepan and mix well.
Serve your wild rice with cranberries hot with cornish hens on the side.
#6. Creamy Mashed Butternut Squash
It is that time of the year when butternut squash sounds very appealing. What better way to serve it than with your cornish hens?
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash
2 tablespoons olive oil
⅓ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your creamy mashed butternut squash:
Preheat your oven to 400 °F.
Cut your butternut squash in half. Scoop out the seeds.
Bake your butternut squash for 30 minutes or until it is soft.
Add the olive oil to a saucepan. Scoop out the pulp from the butternut squash and add it to the saucepan.
Stir in the heavy cream, cumin, garlic powder, turmeric powder, salt, and pepper.
Mix well and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes.
Serve your creamy mashed butternut squash warm with your cornish hens on the side.
#7. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Spaghetti aglio e olio is a classic Italian dish. Although it sounds simple, it is decadent and satisfying.
Ingredients:
½ box spaghetti
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ yellow onion, diced
2 tablespoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon parsley
½ teaspoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parmesan to serve
Follow these steps to prepare your spaghetti Aglio e olio:
Add water and salt to a large pot. Stir in the spaghetti and cook according to box instructions.
Drain your pasta but reserve about half of the cooking water.
Wash, clean, and chop your onion.
In the meantime, add the olive oil to a large saucepan.
Stir in the garlic and onion. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add the red pepper flakes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Slowly add the pasta water, allowing it to boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the cooked pasta and toss well.
Sprinkle the parsley on top and toss once more.
Serve your spaghetti Aglio e olio hot with fresh parmesan on top and cornish hens on the side.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Side Dishes for Cornish Hens?
Who would not like a juicy and delicate piece of chicken? That is why most people prefer cornish hens. However, make sure you do not mess up your meal and choose the correct side dish.
If you want to make the meal healthy, you could choose a vegetable side dish. The glazed root vegetables are sweet and filling. The creamy mashed butternut squash is both delicate and very flavorful.
For a more satisfying meal, serving starch can be a good choice. The mushroom and bacon risotto is subtle but unique. You can also go with the scalloped potatoes, which are a classic dish that everyone loves.
Finally, you can go with something completely different that makes your meal stand out. The broccolini with sesame sauce is umami and savory. The wild rice with cranberries is homey and easy to make.
For all the times when you are not sure what to serve, try the spaghetti Aglio e olio. It is a classic simple dish that will always make everyone want more.
Conclusion
Are you ready to prepare an unforgettable meal? Next time you go with cornish hens for dinner, try one, two, or more of these recipes. You can make your meal wholesome and delicious without trying too hard. If you have leftover chicken, learn how to reheat whole chicken on our blog as well.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
