CAVA’s Honey Harissa Chicken: The Mediterranean Bowl You Need to Try

Hey food lovers! I’ve been obsessed with CAVA’s honey harissa chicken lately and I just had to share everything I know about this amazing dish. If you’re like me and can’t get enough of those delicious Mediterranean bowls, you’re gonna want to keep reading!

What Is Honey Harissa Chicken at CAVA?

CAVA’s honey harissa chicken is a flavorful protein option featuring tender chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy sauce made with harissa paste and honey It’s one of CAVA’s most popular protein choices that perfectly balances heat with sweetness

The chicken is typically boneless, skinless thighs that are marinated in a mixture of:

• Harissa paste (a North African chili pepper paste)
• Honey (for sweetness to balance the heat)
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

This creates a dish that’s slightly spicy but also has a wonderful sweetness that makes it approachable for most palates. The chicken is cooked until tender and juicy, then chopped and served as the protein centerpiece in CAVA’s customizable Mediterranean bowls.

What Makes CAVA’s Honey Harissa Chicken Special?

What I love about this dish is the unique flavor profile. The harissa brings heat and complex spices while the honey adds just enough sweetness to create perfect balance. It’s not often you get sweet, spicy, and savory all in one bite!

The chicken itself is incredibly tender – CAVA uses chicken thighs rather than breast meat, which means it stays juicy and flavorful. This makes it the perfect protein to build your Mediterranean bowl around.

What Is Harissa?

Before I got into CAVA, I had no idea what harissa even was! Turns out, it’s a spicy chili pepper paste that originates from North Africa particularly Tunisia. It’s a staple in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines.

Traditional harissa paste includes:

• Red chili peppers (usually dried)
• Garlic
• Spices like cumin, coriander, and caraway
• Olive oil

The spice level can vary depending on the specific recipe, but it typically ranges from moderately hot to very hot. Compared to sriracha sauce, harissa is usually spicier and has a more complex flavor profile thanks to the blend of spices used.

Is CAVA’s Honey Harissa Chicken Spicy?

This is a question I get all the time! The answer is: kinda, but not overwhelmingly so.

CAVA’s honey harissa chicken has a definite kick to it, but the sweetness from the honey helps tame the heat from the harissa paste. I’d call it a “medium” spice level – enough to notice but not enough to have you reaching for milk!

If you’re making it at home (more on that below!), you can totally control the spice level by adjusting how much harissa paste you use or by adding more honey to balance it out.

How to Enjoy Honey Harissa Chicken at CAVA

At CAVA, you can enjoy their honey harissa chicken in several ways:

1. In a bowl – This is the most popular option, where you build your own Mediterranean bowl starting with a base (greens, grains, or both), add the honey harissa chicken as your protein, and then customize with dips, toppings, and dressings.

2. In a pita – You can also get the honey harissa chicken stuffed in a warm pita bread with your choice of toppings.

3. On a salad – If you’re going low-carb, skip the grains and pile that delicious chicken on top of greens.

My personal favorite combo at CAVA includes:

• Half greens, half basmati rice base
• Honey harissa chicken
• Hummus and crazy feta dips
• Pickled onions
• Diced cucumbers and tomatoes
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Sliced avocado
• Hot harissa vinaigrette

The combination of flavors and textures is absolutely incredible!

Make Your Own CAVA Honey Harissa Chicken at Home

Can’t get to a CAVA location? No worries! I’ve got a copycat recipe that’s pretty darn close to the real thing. Plus, making it at home is more affordable and lets you customize it exactly how you want.

Honey Harissa Chicken Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 2 tablespoons harissa paste
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Juice from half a lemon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the hot harissa vinaigrette:

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

For the bowls:

• Cooked basmati rice
• Mixed salad greens
• Sliced avocado
• Pickled red onions
• Crumbled feta or crazy feta
• Marinated cucumbers and tomatoes
• Hummus
• Pita bread or chips

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: Mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, harissa paste, honey, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better!).

2. Prep your toppings: While the chicken marinates, cook your rice according to package directions and prepare all your desired toppings. Toss your greens with a little olive oil.

3. Make the vinaigrette: Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in a jar and shake well. Refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place chicken thighs smooth side down and sear until golden-brown (about 5-6 minutes). Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop.

5. Assemble your bowls: Add greens, rice, and toppings to serving bowls. Top with chopped chicken, drizzle with harissa vinaigrette, and serve with warm pita.

Helpful Tips for the Perfect Honey Harissa Chicken

I’ve made this recipe tons of times, and here are some tips I’ve learned:

• Don’t skip the marinating time: The longer you can marinate the chicken, the more flavor it will absorb.
• Use chicken thighs, not breasts: Thighs are more forgiving and stay juicier, which is why CAVA uses them.
• Adjust the spice level: Start with less harissa if you’re sensitive to heat. You can always add more!
• Don’t overcook: Chicken thighs are best at about 165°F. Going much higher will dry them out.
• Make extra vinaigrette: The hot harissa vinaigrette is amazing on everything – salads, roasted veggies, or as a dip for pita.

Customize Your Homemade CAVA Bowl

One of the best things about making CAVA-style bowls at home is that you can customize them however you want! Here are some ideas:

• Swap the protein: Not feeling chicken? Try using the same marinade on shrimp, tofu, or even lamb.
• Change the base: Instead of basmati rice, try quinoa, farro, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Add more veggies: Roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, or artichoke hearts would be delicious additions.
• Make it dairy-free: Skip the feta and add extra avocado for creaminess.

Meal Prep Your CAVA Bowls

These bowls are perfect for meal prep! Here’s how I do it:

1. Marinate and cook a big batch of honey harissa chicken on Sunday.
2. Make a large pot of rice.
3. Prepare all toppings and store them separately in containers.
4. Make a batch of the harissa vinaigrette.
5. When ready to eat, just assemble your bowl with all the prepared ingredients!

Everything keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days, making it perfect for workweek lunches.

Is Honey Harissa Chicken Healthy?

CAVA’s honey harissa chicken is generally considered a healthier option when dining out. The chicken provides lean protein, and the bowl format allows you to add lots of veggies and healthy fats like avocado.

The homemade version gives you even more control over the ingredients and portions. You can:

• Control the amount of oil used
• Adjust the sodium levels
• Choose organic ingredients if preferred
• Add extra veggies for more nutrients

A typical CAVA bowl with honey harissa chicken, rice, and toppings contains approximately:

• 500-700 calories (depending on toppings)
• 25-30g protein
• Healthy fats from olive oil and avocado
• Fiber from vegetables and grains

Final Thoughts

CAVA’s honey harissa chicken is popular for good reason – it’s the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory, and it pairs beautifully with all the Mediterranean toppings in their signature bowls.

Whether you’re grabbing it from an actual CAVA restaurant or making my copycat version at home, I hope you enjoy this flavorful dish as much as I do! The combination of the tender chicken with that amazing honey harissa flavor is just unbeatable.

Have you tried CAVA’s honey harissa chicken? What’s your favorite way to enjoy it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Remember, don’t be afraid of the harissa – start with a little if you’re sensitive to heat, and you can always add more as you get comfortable with the spice level. Enjoy!

Yes, CAVA’s Harissa Honey Chicken is spicy, as “harissa” refers to a hot chili pepper paste, though the “honey” balances the heat with sweetness and other flavors like garlic and smoke to create a flavorful, moderately spicy dish.

CAVA’s red harissa side is primarily made from stewed tomatoes, non-GMO canola oil, fresh garlic, parsley, and a blend of spices, while their harissa vinaigrette uses ingredients like harissa paste, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and red wine vinegar.

Harissa honey chicken is a sweet, spicy, and savory chicken dish where chicken is marinated and glazed with a mixture of North African harissa chili paste and honey, often combined with other ingredients like garlic, lemon juice, and spices, to create a flavorful, caramelized, and juicy result.