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Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls (CAVA Copycat)

Close-up of a bowl featuring glazed harissa chicken pieces served over white rice with fresh salad greens, cucumber, and tomato.
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Make this popular Honey Harissa Chicken Bowl at home. This recipe features tender chicken marinated in a spicy-sweet honey harissa sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or healthy meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 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 smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups cooked basmati rice (for serving)
  • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce (for serving)
  • 1/2 cup chopped cucumber (for serving)
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomato (for serving)
  • For the Harissa Vinaigrette: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon harissa paste, 1 teaspoon honey, pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the harissa paste, honey, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
  2. Add the cut chicken to the marinade, toss to coat completely, and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. If baking, spread the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until cooked through and slightly caramelized. If pan-frying, cook the chicken in batches until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per batch.
  5. While the chicken cooks, prepare the vinaigrette. Whisk together the 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon harissa paste, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt until emulsified.
  6. To assemble the bowls, divide the cooked rice, lettuce, cucumber, and tomato among four bowls.
  7. Top each bowl with the cooked Honey Harissa Chicken.
  8. Drizzle generously with the Harissa Vinaigrette before serving.

Notes

  • For a CAVA copycat experience, serve with warm pita bread on the side.
  • If you prefer grilled harissa chicken, marinate the chicken pieces and grill over medium heat until done.
  • This chicken is excellent for meal prep; store the chicken, rice, and dressing separately and combine just before eating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/harissa-chicken-bowls-cava-copycat/