Easy Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls (CAVA Copycat)
Make this flavorful Honey Harissa Chicken, inspired by CAVA bowls, right in your kitchen. This recipe is quick, spicy, and sweet, perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or Grilling
- Cuisine: North African Inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup harissa paste
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- For Serving (CAVA Style): Cooked rice, chopped romaine lettuce, diced cucumber and tomato, optional creamy cilantro 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 cut chicken pieces to the marinade and toss until every piece is fully coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for baking, or heat a grill or large skillet over medium-high heat for stovetop cooking.
- If baking, spread the chicken in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the edges are slightly caramelized.
- If using a skillet or grill, cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely charred.
- While the chicken cooks, prepare your bowls: layer cooked rice, lettuce, and fresh vegetables.
- Top the bowls with the cooked Honey Harissa Chicken. Drizzle with extra sauce or a cooling yogurt sauce if desired.
Notes
- For an extra smoky flavor, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the marinade.
- This chicken is excellent for meal prep; store the cooked chicken separately from the fresh vegetables and rice.
- If you prefer chicken thighs, they stay juicier during cooking, making them great for meal prepping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz cooked chicken
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 95