Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls (CAVA Copycat Style)
Make this popular CAVA copycat Honey Harissa Chicken at home. This recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken marinated in a spicy-sweet harissa and honey glaze, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or healthy meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup harissa paste
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For Serving: Cooked basmati rice, chopped romaine lettuce, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, optional yogurt sauce
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the harissa paste, honey, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat completely, and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare your grill for medium-high heat.
- If baking, spread the marinated chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the edges are slightly caramelized.
- If grilling, place the chicken on the preheated grill grates and cook for 5–7 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until cooked through and marked.
- Assemble your bowls: Place a base of basmati rice and lettuce in each bowl. Top with the cooked honey harissa chicken, sliced cucumber, and tomatoes.
- Drizzle with a simple yogurt sauce or extra vinaigrette if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, lightly char the chicken under the broiler for the last 2 minutes of baking.
- This recipe works well for chicken meal prep ideas; store components separately and assemble just before eating.
- If you want a creamier sauce for drizzling, mix 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110