Fiery Sweet Cava Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe for Dinner

Sizzling with Mediterranean flair, these vibrant CAVA honey harissa chicken bowls burst with layers of tantalizing flavor.

Tender chicken marinates in a bold honey harissa blend that dances across your palate.

Spicy, sweet, and utterly irresistible, this dish brings restaurant-quality excitement to your home kitchen.

Bright herbs and zesty ingredients create a symphony of taste in every bite.

Colorful vegetables and perfectly seasoned protein make this bowl a nutritious and delectable meal.

The combination of honey sweetness and harissa kick transforms a simple dinner into a culinary adventure.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to experience a quick, delicious journey through Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 630 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Chicken Thighs: Juicy and flavorful cut that absorbs marinades beautifully, providing tender meat with rich depth.
• Hummus: Creamy protein-packed spread that adds Mediterranean authenticity and smooth texture to the bowl.

• Harissa Paste: Spicy North African chili paste that infuses bold, smoky heat and complex aromatics.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances spiciness and helps chicken caramelize with gorgeous golden color.
• Lemon Juice: Bright acidic element that tenderizes meat and brings zesty freshness.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides deep, pungent undertones and traditional Mediterranean character.
• Olive Oil: Silky base for marinade that helps distribute flavors and promotes even cooking.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning that amplifies and rounds out overall taste profile.

• Salad Greens: Crisp base providing nutritious foundation and refreshing texture.
• Rice: Hearty grain that serves as satisfying foundation for the bowl.
• Avocado: Creamy, nutrient-dense ingredient adding richness and smooth contrast.
• Pickled Red Onions: Tangy, vibrant topping that introduces sharp, acidic notes.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly, salty cheese offering Mediterranean authenticity.
• Marinated Cucumbers and Tomatoes: Fresh, juicy components bringing brightness and lightness.
• Pita Chips/Bread/Naan: Traditional Mediterranean accompaniment for scooping and added texture.

Tools to Build CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Large skillet: Essential for perfectly searing chicken with golden-brown edges.
• Medium bowl or large plastic bag: Perfect for marinating chicken with delicious harissa and honey.
• Cutting board: Needed to slice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Whisk or jar with lid: Great for mixing vinaigrette ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring spoons and tablespoons: Helps accurately add olive oil, spices, and seasonings.
• Sharp knife: Crucial for slicing chicken and preparing toppings like avocado.
• Serving bowls: Ideal for creating beautiful and appetizing chicken bowls.

How to Make CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Flavor Journey

Gather all your ingredients and create a marinade that will transform ordinary chicken into a culinary adventure. Mix harissa paste, honey, and zesty lemon to create a mouthwatering coating for chicken thighs.

• Marination Magic

Let the chicken absorb all the delicious flavors by letting it rest in the refrigerator. The longer it sits, the more intense the taste becomes.

• Cooking Performance

Heat a skillet until it’s sizzling hot. Carefully place chicken thighs and cook until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior. Flip once to ensure perfect cooking and seal in all those incredible flavors.

• Bowl Construction

Start with a bed of fluffy rice and crisp greens. Layer sliced chicken on top, then get creative with colorful toppings like creamy avocado, tangy pickled onions, crumbly feta, and fresh cucumbers.

• Final Flourish

Drizzle everything with a spicy harissa vinaigrette that will make your taste buds dance. Serve with warm pita or naan for the ultimate Mediterranean-inspired meal that looks as amazing as it tastes.

Customize CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Easily

• Replace chicken thighs with grilled tofu, shrimp, or lamb for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Cook extra chicken and vinaigrette to create quick lunches throughout the week. Store components separately in airtight containers for fresh, ready-to-assemble meals.
• Adjust Harissa paste quantity to match your heat tolerance. Start with less for milder flavor, then gradually increase for bolder taste experiences.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of hummus, substitute feta with queso fresco, or select seasonal vegetables based on local market availability and pricing.
• Quickly marinate red onions in apple cider vinegar and salt for 15 minutes to create tangy, crunchy topping without lengthy pickling processes.

Serving Up CAVA Bowls

• Pair with Fresh Sides: Complement the bold flavors of the Honey Harissa Chicken by adding crisp cucumber slices, fresh herb sprigs, or a small Mediterranean-style salad on the side for extra texture and freshness.
• Create Customizable Experience: Invite family and friends to build their own bowls by setting out all toppings in separate bowls, allowing everyone to personalize their meal with their favorite ingredients and amounts.
• Elevate with Wine Pairing: Match the spicy and sweet notes of the dish with a chilled white wine like Riesling or a light Rosé, which will beautifully balance the harissa's heat and the honey's sweetness.
• Prepare for Leftovers: Store chicken, rice, and toppings separately in airtight containers for easy lunch prep, ensuring each component stays fresh and can be quickly reheated or assembled the next day.

Storage Tips for Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Store Smartly: Transfer leftover chicken and prepared components to airtight containers, keeping ingredients separate to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
• Refrigerate Quickly: Cool chicken and toppings within 2 hours of cooking, storing in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freeze Strategically: Marinated raw chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cooked chicken remains delicious when frozen for 2-3 weeks – wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave at 50% power to prevent drying out, adding a splash of water or olive oil to maintain moisture.

Spicy Mediterranean Cava Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired honey harissa chicken bowls deliver bold flavors from Greece and North Africa. Fresh ingredients and zesty spices create a delicious meal you’ll want to savor repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 4 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps harissa paste
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps harissa paste
• 2 tbsps lemon juice
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 2 cups (400 g) cooked basmati rice
• Mixed salad greens
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• Pickled red onions
• Crumbled feta or crazy feta
• Marinated cucumbers and tomatoes
• Hummus
• Pita chips, pita bread, or naan

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Instructions

1. Marination: Thoroughly blend chicken thighs with olive oil, harissa paste, honey, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a sealed container. Refrigerate 30 minutes to overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Preparation: Cook rice according to package instructions. While rice simmers, whisk vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, combining olive oil, harissa paste, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic, and salt until smoothly integrated.
3. Chicken Cooking: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 5-6 minutes on first side until golden, then flip and cook an additional 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest chicken briefly before slicing.
4. Bowl Assembly: Layer bowls with mixed salad greens and prepared rice. Top with sliced chicken, avocado, pickled red onions, feta cheese, marinated cucumber and tomato mixture, and a generous scoop of hummus. Drizzle with harissa vinaigrette and serve alongside warm pita chips, traditional pita bread, or naan.

Notes

• Marinate Wisely: Let chicken soak in harissa-honey mixture for at least 30 minutes, but overnight marination delivers deeper, more intense flavor profiles.
• Sear Perfectly: Use cast-iron skillet for optimal golden caramelization, ensuring chicken develops rich, crispy exterior while maintaining juicy interior.
• Temperature Check: Always verify chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature to guarantee safe, succulent meat without overcooking.
• Customize Creatively: Swap proteins or adjust vegetable combinations to suit personal taste preferences while maintaining core Mediterranean-inspired essence.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 630
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 1200 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg