Harissa honey chicken Cava is a popular rice bowl dish served at Cava a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain. It features chicken marinated in a blend of harissa and honey served over rice and topped with vegetables and sauces.
Overview of Harissa Honey Chicken Cava
- Cava’s signature rice bowl with chicken marinated in a sweet and spicy harissa-honey sauce.
- Features basmati rice, sauteed harissa chicken, lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, harissa vinaigrette.
- Inspired by North African and Middle Eastern flavors.
- Provides a balance of spicy, savory, sweet and tangy flavors in each bite.
What is Harissa?
- Harissa is a traditional North African hot chili pepper paste made from roasted red peppers, serrano peppers, spices and olive oil.
- Known for its fiery heat and robust, aromatic flavor.
- Common in Tunisian, Algerian, Moroccan and Libyan cuisines.
- Key ingredients include different types of hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, cumin, mint, rose or dried rose buds.
- Can range from mild to very spicy depending on chili peppers used.
- Used as a condiment, marinade, spice rub or cooking ingredient.
- Adds heat and depth of flavor to dishes.
How Cava’s Harissa Honey Chicken is Made
Marinade:
- Harissa paste
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Honey
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Method:
- Chicken thighs or breasts marinated for at least 30 mins up to overnight.
- Chicken seared in skillet over high heat until browned and cooked through.
Assembly:
- Grain bowl base of cooked basmati rice.
- Sauteed harissa chicken placed over rice.
- Toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cucumber, kalamata olives, feta cheese.
- Drizzled with harissa vinaigrette and tzatziki sauce.
Harissa Honey Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Harissa paste
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Honey
- Salt and pepper
For the Harissa Vinaigrette:
- Olive oil
- Harissa paste
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Salt
For Serving:
- Cooked basmati rice
- Lettuce or salad greens
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Cucumbers
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Tzatziki sauce
- Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro
What Does Harissa Honey Chicken Taste Like?
- Sweet and spicy – the honey balances out the heat of the harissa.
- Savory and smokey from the ground spices like cumin, coriander, caraway.
- Tangy, garlicky and citrusy notes.
- The marinated chicken is flavorful with a touch of char.
- Mediterranean herbs and spices give it aromatic depth.
- Rice and vegetable toppings provide contrasting flavors and textures.
Benefits of Cava’s Harissa Honey Chicken:
- Well-balanced flavor profile – spicy, sweet, herby, savory.
- Satisfying protein from chicken.
- Fiber-rich rice and vegetable toppings.
- Nutrient-dense ingredients like olive oil, garlic, herbs.
- Anti-inflammatory properties from spices and chili peppers.
- Rich in antioxidants from peppers, onions, tomatoes.
- Versatile for gluten-free, dairy-free, Mediterranean diets.
- Easy to customize bowl to your tastes and dietary needs.
Tips for Making Harissa Honey Chicken at Home
- Make your own harissa or buy ready-made harissa paste. Adjust spice level as desired.
- Let chicken marinate for at least 30 mins, up to overnight for most flavor.
- Use chicken thighs for extra juicy, tender meat or breasts for lower fat.
- Sear chicken over high heat to caramelize and lock in juices.
- Roast or grill chicken for extra smoky flavor.
- Double or triple harissa marinade to keep on hand.
- Make extra rice and roasted veggies to use in other meals.
- Top with your choice of veggies, cheese, sauces like hummus or tzatziki.
- Store in meal prep containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
How to make on the stovetop
Making harissa honey chicken on the stovetop is a good idea if you want little to no hassle.
All you need to do is heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is smoking, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and move it around to coat the cook surface.
Carefully add half of the chicken and space them evenly apart. Cook the meat for a about 5 minutes on each side so that there is a nice sear on the outside.
I recommend turning it down to low heat for the last few minutes to ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
Once the meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 165F degrees, then its time to pull the chicken out of the frying pan and let it rest.
After a few minutes of resting, cut the chicken into bite size pieces and drizzle with the remaining honey.
Toss everything together and taste – seasoning with more kosher salt and black pepper if needed.
How to cook it on the grill
Making this easy harissa chicken recipe on the grill is definitely one of my favorite ways to do it. The spicy chicken sears up beautifully, stays moist, and has an extra smoky flavor that is unreal.
This method begins the same way as the stovetop since were also preheating our grill over medium-high heat.
Once the grill has come to temp, add the chicken (depending on the size of your grill, you can do this all at once). Allow it to cook for 5 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear and an internal temperature of 165F degrees has been reached.
After its pulled from the grill, let it rest for a few minutes then cut the chicken into bite size pieces and drizzle with the remaining honey. Toss everything together and taste – seasoning with more kosher salt and black pepper if needed.
Meal prep…but EASY, AFFORDABLE, and DELICIOUS
FAQ
Is the cava harissa honey chicken spicy?
What is the harissa at Cava?
What is harissa honey chicken?
Harissa honey chicken is a dish featuring chicken, often thighs, that is marinated or glazed with a mixture of harissa paste and honey, resulting in a sweet and spicy flavor profile. It’s a popular dish in Mediterranean and North African cuisine.
What does harissa honey taste like?
This addictive harissa honey sauce has just enough heat to liven up every bite but sweet and sour enough to keep you coming back for more without your mouth going on fire (unless you want it to).