Honey Harissa Chicken Bowl: Best Cava Copycat Recipe

I know you’re tired of spending money on every Cava bowl you crave. You can now get the same bowl but better without spending too much! We are making Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls, the ultimate Cava copycat that you can make right at home for your weekly dinner rotation, iftar, or whenever you are craving Cava.

These bowls are packed with flavor: zesty harissa chicken, fragrant saffron rice, homemade pickled onions, and a creamy tzatziki drizzle. Seriously, you guys, I am so excited for you to try this!

Why You’ll Love These Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls

This recipe is a game-changer for your Ramadan Series meal rotation. Here is why it’s about to be your new favorite:

Better than Takeout: It tastes exactly like Cava but fresher and made with love.
Meal Prep Friendly: You can prep the onions and the chicken marinade ahead of time to save energy before Iftar.
Bursting with Flavor: The balance of the spicy harissa, sweet honey, zesty lemon, and cool tzatziki is just chef’s kiss.

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Why You’ll Love These Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Related

Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to get these Honey Harissa Chicken Bowls on the table:

Red Onion
Garlic
Whole Black Pepper
Bay Leaf
Vinegar
Lemon
Orange
Chicken Thighs
Olive Oil
Harissa
Parsley/Cilantro
Honey
Basmati Rice
Saffron
Chicken Bouillon
Yogurt
Cucumber
Dried Mint
Tomatoes
Feta
Pita Bread

See recipe card for quantities.

FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Can I make the Honey Harissa Chicken in an air fryer?
Yes! I’m actually planning to try the air-fried version next time. You can air fry the marinated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through.

What if I don't have saffron for the rice?
No problem at all! Saffron is a bit of a luxury ingredient. To get that same vibrant yellow color, just use a teaspoon of turmeric instead.

Is harissa very spicy?
Harissa does have a kick, but the honey in this recipe balances it out perfectly. If you are sensitive to heat, you can start with 1-2 tablespoons of harissa instead of 3.

How long do the pickled onions stay fresh?
They will stay good in the fridge for up to two weeks! They actually get more delicious the longer they sit in that juice.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Keywords: Honey harissa chicken bowl, Iftar dinner recipe, Mediterranean chicken bowl, saffron rice, homemade tzatziki

Print Recipe

Dinner

Honey Harissa Chicken Bowl

Juicy honey harissa chicken served over fragrant saffron rice with tangy pickled onions and creamy tzatziki. A perfect bowl for Iftar or weeknight dinners.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yields: 3-4 Servings

Pickled Onion

1 red onion (thinly sliced)
4 garlic cloves
½ tsp whole black pepper
1 bay leaf
3 tbsp Vinegar
Juice of 3-4 lemons
Juice of 1 orange (or 1 tsp sugar)
Salt

Honey Harissa Chicken

2 lbs cubed chicken thighs
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
3 crushed garlic cloves
3 tbsp harissa
1 tsp each: coriander, paprika, black pepper, cumin, salt
Chopped parsley and cilantro
1 tbsp honey (added at the end)

Saffron Rice

2 cups washed Basmati rice
3-4 threads of saffron
Salt
1 tsp Chicken bouillon

Tzatziki Sauce

1 cup Bulgarian or Greek yogurt
1 grated cucumber (mini Persian)
2 grated garlic cloves
1 tsp dried mint
Juice of 1 lemon
Pinch of chopped parsley
Salt & Pepper

The Extras

2 diced tomatoes & 2 diced cucumbers (for the feta salad)
½ cup feta cheese
Pita bread

Instructions

Pickled Red Onions

Add sliced red onion, garlic, salt, pepper, vinegar, lemon juice, and orange juice to a jar.
Close the lid and shake well to combine.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.