Cornish hens are a delicious, succulent dish that makes for an impressive meal. They pair incredibly well with many vegetables, making it easy to create a healthy and flavorful dish.
Roasted or grilled cornish hens go perfectly with roasted root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or steamed green beans and asparagus.
For those who prefer more delicate flavors, sautéed mushrooms or zucchini can be added to the mix.
Depending on your preferences, you can also serve cornish hens with salads of fresh greens such as spinach or arugula. A variety of vegetables can be used to complement the subtle flavor of these tiny poultry dishes.
Whatever type of vegetable accompaniment you choose, your dinner guests will be delighted!
28 Well-known vegetables go well with Cornish hens
1. Roasted Carrots
Carrots are a classic accompaniment to Cornish hens. They are full of vitamins and minerals, making them an excellent source of nutrition.
Roasting carrots with olive oil and herbs will bring out their natural sweetness and offer an earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the herby flavors of your Cornish hen.
2. Brussel Sprouts
One of my favorite vegetables is mini cabbage. You can pair it with any kind of chicken because these mini-cabbages have a delicious nutty flavor when roasted in the oven.
Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic for an even more flavorful side dish. The sprouts’ slight bitterness nicely compliments the Cornish hen’s savoriness.
3. Butternut Squash
Butternut squash provides an orange-hued side dish that is both sweet and savory. It also contains high fiber and vitamin C, making it a great addition to any meal.
Cut it into cubes, season it with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary, then roast until it’s tender and lightly caramelized on the outside.
4. Green Beans
Green beans are versatile – they can be steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or sautéed in butter or olive oil! Their subtle crunchy texture is perfect for complementing the juicy Cornish hen while providing extra nutrition as well.
Green beans are also perfect for those guests who don’t prefer more strongly flavored vegetables like Brussels sprouts or parsnips.
5. Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with carbohydrates, vitamins A & C, potassium, iron, and magnesium – making them a great choice when cooking up your bird!
Bake them until they are tender inside but crisp outside for maximum flavor – top off your plate with some fresh parsley for added color and zest!
6. Baked Zucchini Sticks
Like sweet potatoes, zucchini is also very versatile – you can bake it into sticks for an exciting side dish that adds bright color to your platter!
Slice them lengthwise into strips about 1/4 inch thick, then brush each lightly with olive oil or melted butter before generously sprinkling with sea salt (and any other herbs/spices you prefer).
Place onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake at 350°F until golden brown (about 15 minutes).
7. Grilled Radicchio
Radicchio can add beautiful color to any plate – plus its slightly bitter taste helps cut through the richness of Cornish hens just right!
For best results, grill your radicchio over medium heat until charred marks appear, yet still keeping some crunch left in each bite!
8. Wilted Spinach Salad:
Spinach salad is easy to whip up quickly, which makes it perfect as a last-minute side dish when cooking up your Cornish hen!
In a large saucepan, heat some olive oil.
Add chopped garlic and spinach leaves.
Cook until they are wilted. Season with salt and pepper to your liking before adding them to your green salad bowl.
9. Roasted Eggplant & Garlic Dip
Who doesn’t love homemade dip? Bake 2 whole eggplants until tender.
Once they are cool, scoop out the flesh and place them in a food processor with minced garlic cloves.
Add the following ingredients: 1 lemon juice and zest + lots of freshly ground black pepper and sea salt.
Mix all ingredients until smooth. For dipping pleasure, serve with grilled pita bread, crackers, or other snacks.
10 . Sautéed Mushrooms & Onions
Sauté onions and mushrooms together for 5 minutes. Then add brown sugar & red wine vinegar to the saucepan.
Let it simmer on low heat until all liquid evaporates.
This will create caramelized vegetables with a rich umami flavor to complement the fiery Cornish hen.
11. Grilled Asparagus Spears
Asparagus spears are grilled with olive oil and coarse sea salt. Serve hot from the grill while they’re still crisp but tender enough to slice easily when paired with succulent bird meat!
12. Herbed Quinoa Pilaf
Quinoa pilaf can be made in a simple but delicious way. Combine cooked quinoa with diced bell peppers, onions, and favorite herbs such as oregano or thyme.
Bake in the oven until lightly crisp around the edges. Put together warm alongside juicy chicken pieces!
13 .Couscous Tabouleh Salad
Making tabouleh salad is easy and quick. You will be able to enjoy a delicious result every time.
Mix together cooked couscous grains with tomatoes, cucumbers, mint, lettuce, lemon juice, and lots of salt. Then, serve the chilled roasted birds with this recipe.
14 . Sweet Potato Wedges
After cutting sweet potatoes into small chunks, coat each with melted butter and spices.
Bake in the oven until crispy. Or fry each wedge in hot oil until they are golden brown.
Couple this side dish as an attractive accompaniment to grilled chicken breast!
15. Honey-Glazed Carrots
Create a simple yet tasty honey glaze by combining melted butter, freshly squeezed orange juice & honey before brushing it onto carrots that have already been cut into slices lengthwise.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, then sprinkle with chopped parsley leaves before serving alongside Cornish hens!
16. Roasted Apples and Pears
Roasting apples and pears together adds a unique sweetness to the plate.
Just slice them into wedges, brush lightly with olive oil, and season generously with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice before roasting in the oven for 30 minutes at 375°F.
Serve warm alongside Cornish hens or let them cool to room temp and enjoy as part of a fruit salad later!
17. Sautéed Green Beans with Almonds
Sauteed green bean with almonds is a favorite side dish at our family get-togethers.
This quick and easy side dish is sure to please – just add almonds to a pan and lightly toast until golden brown, then add green beans & sauté for 5-10 minutes until they’re cooked.
Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice & season with salt & pepper before serving with the roasted hens!
18. Roasted Root Vegetables
Roast root vegetables like carrots, beets, and potatoes together in the oven.
Simply cut them into cubes and toss them with olive oil. After that, roast in a preheated 400-degree F oven for 20-30 minutes. Serve warm with your roasted chickens.
19. Asparagus:
Whether grilled or sautéed in butter, asparagus adds a unique flavor to Cornish hens.
20. Parsnips:
These root vegetables have a sweet yet nutty flavor that meshes wonderfully with Cornish hens. They are also high in dietary fiber and vitamin C to keep you healthy during your meal.
21. Broccoli
Boiling broccoli before serving it with Cornish hens helps bring out its distinct taste while preserving its natural texture during cooking.
22. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are savory delights that make great side dishes for those dining on cornish hens – especially when paired with herbs like thyme or rosemary!
23. Leeks
Leeks give off a subtle garlic flavor that complements cornish hen beautifully while providing a nice mix of vitamins A & C and Omega 3 fatty acids – perfect for any healthy diet!
24. Turnips:
Turnips add an earthy flavor that makes for a delightful balance when paired up against the flavors of cornish hen dishes – they bring great taste and have plenty of vitamin C!
25. Rutabagas
Rutabagas can be boiled or mashed into creamy delights. Partner with cornish hen – they contain ample amounts of Vitamin C & Potassium, so you can enjoy this tasty side dish guilt-free!
26. Squash (Winter)
Winter squash, like acorn squash, provides hearty delights that bring out the best flavors in any cornish hen meal.
27. Broccoli
Broccoli offers a unique combination of sweetness and crunch that can be especially enjoyable alongside Cornish hens.
28. Avocados:
Avocados are a popular fruit served with cornish hens, providing a creamy texture and subtle flavor to any meal.
Bonus Names:
Cornish hens also go well with Beet, Asparagus, Radishes, Celery, Peas, and many more.
These delicious side dishes will surely make Cornish hens a feast to remember.
From classic French fries to complex quinoa pilafs, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy exploring all the possible combinations you can create!
