Easy Cava Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe for Busy Nights

Mediterranean cuisine bursts with flavor when honey harissa chicken takes center stage in these vibrant bowls.

Bold spices and sweet undertones create a dance of culinary excitement that crafts ordinary meals into extraordinary experiences.

Layers of complex ingredients intertwine, promising a journey through rich, tantalizing textures and aromatic profiles.

Each component brings its own personality to the dish, weaving a tapestry of taste that captivates from the first bite.

The harmonious blend of heat, sweetness, and savory elements speaks to those craving something beyond traditional recipes.

Cooks who appreciate nuanced flavors will find themselves drawn to this innovative combination of ingredients.

Prepare to elevate your mealtime with a dish that celebrates bold, unexpected culinary connections.

Why CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Are a Flavor Explosion

• Flavor Explosion: Dive into a mouthwatering blend of sweet honey, spicy harissa, and zesty lemon that transforms ordinary chicken into a taste adventure.
• Quick and Flexible Meal Prep: Whip up this versatile bowl in under an hour, with options to marinate overnight and customize toppings to suit your mood or pantry.
• Restaurant-Quality Experience at Home: Create a gourmet-style CAVA-inspired dish without complicated techniques, bringing professional-level flavors to your kitchen with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps.
• Nutrition-Packed Powerhouse: Enjoy a balanced meal featuring protein-rich chicken, fresh vegetables, creamy hummus, and a punchy vinaigrette that delivers both incredible taste and wholesome nutrition in every bite.

What Makes CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls So Special

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful cut that absorbs marinade well, ideal for creating juicy and delicious bowl centerpiece.

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute flavors and create smooth coating for chicken.
• Harissa Paste: Spicy North African chili sauce that provides bold, warm flavor profile.
• Honey: Adds sweetness and helps caramelize chicken during cooking.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright acidity and tenderizes chicken.
• Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic intensity to marinade.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing overall taste.

• Rice: Neutral, fluffy base that complements other bold flavors.
• Salad Greens: Fresh foundation providing crisp texture and nutritional value.

• Avocado: Creamy element that adds richness and healthy fats.
• Pickled Red Onions: Tangy, colorful addition with sharp flavor.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbly, salty cheese that provides textural contrast.
• Marinated Cucumbers and Tomatoes: Fresh, zesty vegetable mix with added flavor.
• Hummus: Creamy Middle Eastern dip that adds protein and smoothness.

• Olive Oil: Creates smooth base for dressing.
• Harissa Paste: Adds spicy kick to vinaigrette.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, acidic balance.
• Onion Powder: Offers subtle savory background note.

How to Build Your Own CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls at Home

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Marinade

• Olive oil
• Harissa paste
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper

Toss chicken thighs in marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.

Step 2: Cook Rice and Prep Toppings

• Toss salad greens with olive oil
• Slice avocado
• Prepare pickled red onions
• Crumble feta
• Marinate cucumbers and tomatoes

Step 3: Create Harissa Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Harissa paste
• Lemon juice
• Onion powder
• Garlic
• Salt

Whisk thoroughly or shake with lid closed. Refrigerate until serving.

Step 4: Sear Chicken

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs, smooth side down. Sear 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest on cutting board.

Step 5: Assemble Delicious Bowls

• Salad greens
• Rice
• Sliced chicken
• Avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Crumbled feta
• Marinated cucumbers and tomatoes
• Hummus dollop

Drizzle with Harissa Vinaigrette. Serve with pita chips, pita bread, or naan.

Tips for Balancing Heat and Sweetness in CAVA Bowls

• Maximize Marinade Flavor: Let chicken soak overnight to ensure deep, rich taste penetration and tenderize the meat completely.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Use a heavy-bottomed skillet and avoid moving chicken while cooking to develop a golden, crispy exterior that locks in juices.
• Balance Bowl Components: Layer ingredients strategically, starting with greens and rice as a base, to create textural contrast and visual appeal.
• Temperature Control Matters: Check chicken's internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe and juicy results every time.
• Customize Your Bowl: Experiment with additional toppings like roasted vegetables or different herbs to make the recipe uniquely yours while maintaining the core flavor profile.

Smart Storage for CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowl Leftovers

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken and components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Keep ingredients like rice, chicken, and toppings in different sealed containers to prevent sogginess. Consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and safety.
• Reheating Chicken: Gently warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat to preserve moisture. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to prevent drying out. Heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring food safety and maintaining tender texture.
• Bowl Assembly: When ready to enjoy leftovers, quickly reassemble the bowl with fresh greens and warm ingredients. Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving to keep components crisp and vibrant. Avoid microwaving assembled bowls to maintain ingredient quality and presentation.

What to Pair with CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Discover Zesty Wine Companions: Pair this spicy-sweet chicken bowl with a crisp Riesling or aromatic Gewürztraminer. These white wines balance the harissa's heat while complementing the honey's sweetness, creating a refreshing flavor harmony.
• Craft Mediterranean Beer Matches: Select a light, citrusy wheat beer like Hefeweizen or a Belgian-style Saison. These brews cut through the rich chicken and enhance the dish's tangy Mediterranean profile with their bright, effervescent character.
• Create Cooling Beverage Contrasts: Offer a homemade mint lemonade or cucumber-infused water. These refreshing drinks provide a cool counterpoint to the spicy harissa, cleansing the palate between each flavorful bite of chicken and toppings.
• Explore Complementary Herbal Teas: Brew a chilled hibiscus or green tea with a hint of mint. These herbal options soothe the palate, balance the dish's intense flavors, and offer a light, hydrating accompaniment to the robust chicken bowl.

Creative Twists for CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

• Spicy Mediterranean Fusion Bowl: Swap chicken thighs with grilled shrimp or lamb, adding a zesty kick with extra Harissa paste and fresh herbs like mint or cilantro.
• Vegetarian Harissa Delight: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or crispy chickpeas, maintaining the same marinade for rich, bold flavors and keeping the protein-packed profile.
• Greek-Inspired Harissa Bowl: Incorporate traditional Greek ingredients like kalamata olives, tzatziki sauce, and swap feta for crumbled goat cheese, creating a Mediterranean-inspired variation with a spicy undertone.
• Quick Meal Prep Version: Prepare chicken and components in advance, using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked grains to streamline the assembly process for busy weeknights while preserving the original recipe's vibrant flavors.

Cava Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls deliver a spicy-sweet fusion of flavors that dance across your palate. Grilled chicken nestled with zesty harissa and golden honey creates a quick, satisfying meal packed with bold Mediterranean culinary traditions you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

Marinade and Seasoning:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Bowl Components:

• 2 cups 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. In a spacious mixing vessel or resealable plastic pouch, thoroughly coat chicken thighs with olive oil, harissa paste, honey, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper. Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or ideally overnight to enhance flavor penetration.
2. Simultaneously prepare rice according to package specifications and organize complementary accompaniments. Gently toss salad greens with a light drizzle of olive oil and set aside.
3. Craft vinaigrette by combining olive oil, harissa paste, freshly squeezed lemon juice, onion powder, crushed garlic, and salt in a medium glass jar. Vigorously whisk or seal and shake until ingredients are completely integrated. Refrigerate until serving moment.
4. Warm olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high temperature. When oil appears shimmering, carefully position chicken thighs with smooth surface downward. Sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until achieving golden caramelization. Rotate and continue cooking 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and allow brief resting period on cutting surface.
5. Slice cooked chicken into uniform bite-sized portions. Layer serving bowls with mixed salad greens and prepared rice as foundational elements. Strategically arrange sliced chicken, creamy avocado, tangy pickled red onions, crumbled feta cheese, marinated cucumber and tomato mixture, and generous dollop of smooth hummus. Finish by drizzling hot harissa vinaigrette. Accompany with warm pita chips, traditional pita bread, or soft naan.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor infusion and tender, juicy meat that melts in your mouth.
• Customize your bowl with endless topping combinations, creating a personalized culinary experience every time.
• Prepare vinaigrette ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to enhance flavors and save precious cooking minutes.
• Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe and perfectly cooked protein that’s golden and delicious.
• Balance spicy harissa with sweet honey to create a complex, mouth-watering flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
• Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices and maintain optimal tenderness and moisture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg