Get ready to dive into the flavors of our Cava Copycat Harissa Avocado Bowls with Chicken! This recipe combines the fiery kick of grilled harissa honey chicken with the tangy crunch of pickled red onions and a zippy harissa vinaigrette.
This is my go-to Cava order! I love it and after many trips to Cava and lots of recipe testing we are excited to share how you can make it at home for a fraction of the price!
Whether you’re looking for a quick, budget-friendly meal or a fun customizable family dinner, this bowl has it all!
The kids can even build their own, choosing what to add from a variety of delicious toppings. Plus, it’s perfect for meal prep—just double the recipe and you’re set for the week!
Join us in creating our own copycat cava bowls, that are bursting with flavor!
Supplies For Making Cava Copycat Harissa Avocado Bowls With Chicken
Cutting board
This cutting board is huge and has grooves to make it easier to carry and silicone corners to keep it from slipping! This like is seriously amazing and I still can’t believe it was only $16!
Knife
I know there are a lot of cool chopping gadgets going around but I swear by a goof knife you can sharpen. It makes a huge difference in meal prep!
Plate Bowls
I love shallow bowls or plates with edges. Whatever you want to call them they are the best and make it so much easier to enjoy a well balanced bowl food!
Ingredients for Cava Copycat Harissa Avocado Bowls With Chicken:
Harissa Honey Chicken: Our recipe involves grilling marinated boneless chicken thighs but you can also use skinless chicken breast. Or toss the same marinade on some shredded chicken for a quick option perfect for meal prep!
Hot Harissa Vinaigrette: the real star of the show featuring harissa chili paste, lemon juice, and a couple tablespoons of olive oil. I like to toss the ingredients in a mason jar and just give it a shake! Check out our recipe for it here!
Pickled onions: I keep homemade ones on hand but they have gotten really easy to find at the local grocery store as well! Check out our recipe for cava inspired pickled onions here.
Persian Cucumber: this gives the bowl a much needed refreshing crunch.
Corn: I like to get the fire roasted corn from Trader Joes for this.
Avocado: the creamy fresh avocado balances out the spicy harissa so well!
Crazy Feta: I always put out crazy feta and tzatzki for those who want to tone down the spice!
Hummus: I prefer red pepper hummus but any hummus you like works great!
Feta cheese: that mix of creamy and salty tang goes so well with the delicious honey harissa sauce.
Basmati Rice: we make a large batch in the instant pot or rice cooker the exact same way we cook our perfect jasmine rice! You can also make a bed of brown rice or black lentils if you prefer!
Greens: Any greens you like will work. We have made these bowls with romaine, super greens, kale, and spinach and after lots of recipe testing half romaine half super greens is my personal favorite!
Other Great Toppings: kalamata olives, fresh jalapeño,roasted red peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, cucumber salad, fresh lemon juice.
Once your components are ready these bowls can be assembled in 4-5 minutes! Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to assemble harissa honey chicken bowls.
How to Make Cava Copycat Harissa Avocado Bowls with Chicken:
Start with your Base: Lay down a foundation of fluffy basmati rice and the greens of your choice. I like to do half romaine half a SuperGreens blend! The rice offers a neutral base that absorbs the flavors, while the greens add a crisp texture to the bowl!
Add the Proteins: Add a big scoop of harissa honey chicken. Preferably made with boneless skinless chicken thighs. This spicy, sweet, and slightly smoky chicken will be the star flavor of your bowl!
Spread the Spreads: Dollop generous amounts of Crazy Feta and hummus or whatever sauce you like across the bowl. These spreads will add creaminess and help mellow out the spiciness of the harissa. Our youngest likes a dollop of plain greek yogurt on his!
Layer the Vegetables: Arrange slices of Persian cucumbers and a spoon full of fire-roasted corn. These will give your bowls a cooling element and add some texture and crunch!Add slices of avocado for a creamy texture and a rich, buttery taste that complements the spiciness and keeps the harissa from being overwhelming.
Include Pickled and Tangy Elements: Scatter pickled onions over the top. Their sharp tanginess will cut through the richness and add a burst of flavor. Jordan also loves adding pickled jalapenos to his! I pickle a bunch from the garden in the fall before the first frost so we always have some on hand!
Sprinkle Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled feta over the bowl. Its salty tang will balance the sweet and spicy elements of your Cava-inspired Harissa Avocado Bowl.
Dress It Up: Drizzle harissa vinaigrette generously over your bowl. This dressing will tie all the components together with its vibrant, spicy flavor.
Final Touches
Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and back pepper. Serve with our Cava Style Baked Pita Chips (also great in the air fryer!) or some fresh naan bread to complete the meal!
By following these steps, you can create a delicious and colorful bowl that’s perfect for meal any time! Each component brings its unique flavor and texture, making every bite interesting and enjoyable.
Storing Leftover Harissa Avocado Bowls
Store any leftover cava bowl ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If we are having it as another dinner I like to store each component in a separate air-tight container so everyone can built their own bowl again the next day!
Meal Prepping Homemade Cava Bowls
It’s easy to prepare grab-and-go lunches with leftover bowl components like a Cava-style dish!
- Separate Components: If possible, store ingredients separately to maintain their texture and flavor. For example, keep sauces and dressings in their own small containers or compartments to prevent the greens or rice from becoming soggy.
- Layer Strategically: If you are using a single container without compartments, layer the ingredients to keep them fresh. Place grains or rice at the bottom, followed by proteins, and more resilient veggies. Keep dressings and more delicate items like avocados and leafy greens in separate small containers.
- Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers to keep the leftovers fresh and to prevent the flavors from mixing with other foods in your refrigerator.
- Label Containers: Labeling containers with the date and contents can help you organize your fridge, especially if you have multiple types of meals prepared and stored in the same style of containers! I just use simple masking tape and a sharpie to label ours.
- Use Within a Few Days: Consume leftover honey harissa chicken bowls within 3 to 4 days.
By organizing and storing your homemade Cava Bowls this way, you ensure that you have delicious, budget friendly, and ready-to-eat options throughout the week. I am always excited to be able to grab a homemade cava bowl from the fridge for lunch!
Our Favorite Meal Prep Supplies
Glass Meal Prep Containers
I love these for leftovers and meal prep and often will make my lunch in one to bring in the pick up line!
Mini Glass Condiment Containers
These are great for keeping the dressing separate! I also love these for bringing berries or some cashews and chocolate to have as a snack. They are small but not tiny!
Portion Containers
I like being able to scoop out portions of each part of the bowl and knowing its a well balanced bowl!
Masking Tape
Plain old masking tape is so so great for labeling your food containers!
What is Harissa?
Harissa is a spicy and aromatic chili paste known for its bold flavor that’s widely used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine.
How is Harissa Made?
It’s typically made from a blend of hot chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and various spices like cumin, coriander, and caraway. Tomatoes and rose petals are sometimes included in some regional variations.
What Region is Harissa From?
Originating from the Maghreb region, particularly Tunisia, harissa is commonly used to add heat and depth to stews, soups, and couscous dishes, as well as a condiment for meats and vegetables
What does Harissa Taste Like?
Harissa paste tastes spicy and smoky with hints of garlic and a slight tanginess.
How long does Harissa last in the refrigerator?
Once prepared or opened, harissa can last in the fridge for up to a month when stored properly in an airtight container. Some people even add a drizzle of olive oil on top of the harissa before sealing the container, which can help preserve its freshness!
We hope you enjoy our favorite bowl recipe and Jordan’s top pick for a dinner salad. Let’s grab our versatile bowls that double as plates and whip up our own Cava-style bowls! Your taste buds will thank you and so will your wallets!
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