Are you yearning a quick and simple home-made dinner with great taste and nutritional value? Look no further than this chicken dish inspired by CAVA! This post will go over how to replicate the trademark dish of a well-known restaurant chain in your own cooking. Prepare to pique your taste receptors with the ideal fusion of Mediterranean cuisine!

What is CAVA Chicken?

Inspired by the Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant company, CAVA, this dish is very popular. Renowned for its strong tastes and nutritious components, this chicken creates a really remarkable taste sensation by combining the warmth of harissa with the sweetness of honey.

The Origins of CAVA

Let’s quickly review where CAVA originated from before delving into the :

Three childhood friends starting in Washington D.C. launched CAVA in 2006.
The network of restaurants specializes in Mediterranean-style food.
Its fresh ingredients and customisable bowls have helped it to become well-known.

Why Make CAVA Chicken at Home?

you may be asking. Here are some convincing arguments:

Affordable: Create savings by cooking your preferred dish at home.
Adaptable: Change the flavors to suit your taste.
Fresh items: Make use of the freshest ingredients at hand.
Control of portions: Make as little as you like or as much.
wow your visitors Present a dinner party dish of restaurant caliber at your next one.

Key Ingredients for CAVA Chicken

These basic components will help you to replicate the real CAVA chicken taste:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Harissa paste
Honey
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Garlic
Spices (such as cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika)

What is Harissa?

Harissa is a spicy and aromatic chili paste that originates from North Africa. It’s a key ingredient in CAVA chicken, providing a complex flavor profile that includes:

Heat from red chilies
Earthiness from cumin and coriander
Smokiness from roasted peppers
Tanginess from lemon juice or vinegar

How to Make CAVA Chicken?

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into the cooking process. Follow these steps to create your own delicious CAVA chicken at home:

1. Prepare the Marinade

Start by mixing the following ingredients in a bowl:

2 tablespoons harissa paste
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon each of cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

2. Marinate the Chicken

Place 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag
Pour the marinade over the chicken
Massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring even coverage
Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight for best results)

3. Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C)
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil

4. Cook the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the prepared baking sheet
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
For extra caramelization, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking

5. Rest and Serve

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing
Serve with your favorite sides, such as rice, salad, or pita bread

Tips for Perfect CAVA Chicken

Remember these ideas to improve your CAVA chicken:

Eat chicken thighs. Their taste and juiciness surpass those of chicken breasts.
Never cut short marinating time: Your chicken will be more delicious the longer you marinade it for.
Modify the degree of spice: Add more or less harissa to fit your heat tolerance.
Cook at the proper temperature. To be sure your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer.
Allow it to rest. Chicken kept rested after cooking helps to preserve its juices.

Serving Suggestions

Versatility and good pairing with many sides define CAVA chicken. These suggestions help you finish your dinner:

Present against a bed of silky basmati rice.
Make a dish inspired by CAVA with fresh veggies, tzatziki, and hummus.
Wrap tomatoes and lettuce in warm pita bread.
Match with a light and reviving Greek salad for a dinner.

Health Benefits of CAVA Chicken

CAVA chicken is not only great but also provides various health advantages:

Heavily protein-based: One outstanding source of lean protein is chicken.
Strong in antioxidants: Capsaicin found in harissa has anti-inflammatory effects.
Fats low in heart damage: One finds good monounsaturated fats in olive oil.
Vitamin C: Lemon juice increases immune-supporting vitamin C levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Indeed, chicken breasts are versatile, but bear in mind they may cook quicker and dry out more readily. Change your cooking period in line with this.

Is CAVA chicken spicy?

You may control the spice level to suit you. Cut down on the marinade’s harissa if you want a more subdued taste.

Can I grill CAVA chicken?

Right! grilled CAVA chicken is superb. Turn your grill to medium-high heat; cook for 6 to 8 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

How long does CAVA chicken last in the fridge?

Refrigerated in an airtight container, cooked CAVA chicken keeps for three to four days.

Can I freeze CAVA chicken?

Indeed, cooked CAVA chicken keeps for up to three months frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator; then, reheat.

Conclusion

Making CAVA chicken at home is a fantastic and satisfying endeavor. This dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite with its strong Mediterranean tastes and straightforward cooking technique. CAVA chicken is a flexible and crowd-pleasing choice whether you’re making dishs for the week or wow guests at a dinner party. Turn on your oven then be ready to experience the Mediterranean right in your own home!

Having perfected the skill of creating CAVA chicken, why not play around with many sides and presentation techniques? Your taste receptors will reward you for the gastronomic journey; the possibilities are almost limitless. Savour your handcrafted CAVA chicken feast.

CAVA-Inspired Honey Harissa Chicken Recipe

This CAVA-inspired Honey Harissa Chicken is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. Tender chicken thighs are marinated in a mixture of harissa, honey, and aromatic spices, then baked to perfection. It's a delicious and easy-to-make dish that brings the taste of your favorite Mediterranean restaurant right to your home kitchen.

Save Recipe Print Recipe

👥 Servings 6

⏰ Prep Time 10

🍳 Cook Time 25

⌛ Total Time 35

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons harissa paste
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together harissa paste, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the marinade.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
Remove the chicken from the marinade and arrange the pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
For extra caramelization, broil for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Slice the chicken and serve with your choice of sides.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving, assuming 6 servings)

Calories: 280
Total Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 140mg
Sodium: 520mg
Total Carbohydrates: 8g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 29g

Cava Chicken Recipe CAVA-inspired Chicken easy dinner harissa honey meal prep Mediterranean spicy Sweet

Cava Chicken Recipe