Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Diced harissa honey chicken in a bowl.

Harissa Honey Chicken (Cava Copycat)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Entree, Main Dish
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: American, North African, Mediterannean, African
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Join me in making Cava’s fan favorite Harissa Honey Chicken. You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken, but it’s especially juicy & tender when used on thighs. This copycat recipe is inspired by Cava’s Tiktok account, where they shared a version of their recipe for the public.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 tbsp ras el hanout*
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 cup harissa
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey*
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven & prep the marinade. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Combine spices, harissa, lemon juice, olive oil, and honey in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  2. Coat the chicken. Toss the chicken into the bowl and rub to combine evenly with the marinade.
  3. Roast. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet (skin side up if using skin on thighs) and roast for 40 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  4. Dice & enjoy. Give the chicken 5-10 minutes to rest before dicing (if desired) and drizzling with additional honey* (optional).

Notes

*In Cava’s recipe video they mention adding the honey after the chicken has already cooked, but in this version we are adding honey directly to the marinade, as well as adding a light drizzle at the end. Feel free to try either method!

*If you can’t find or don’t have all the spices to make your own Ras El Hanout, I recommend using a combination of equal parts cumin, paprika, ginger, and black pepper

This chicken makes a perfect topping for salads, grain bowls, or in pitas. We especially love pairing it with this white bean hummus.