Cava Grilled Chicken Copycat Recipe

I can’t wait to share this Cava Grilled Chicken Recipe with you! It’s one of those dishes that has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen. If you’ve ever had the chance to visit Cava, you know the deliciousness I’m talking about. I still remember my first bite at a Cava in New York City—it was love at first taste. The flavors were so vibrant and fresh, I knew I had to recreate it at home. It’s now a household favorite like my other Cava’s copycat recipes. The best part is, my 2 little kids really love this Cava copycat grilled chicken with their favorite rice bowl. 

The chicken turns out juicy, tender, and packed with flavor every time. Whether I’m adding it to a rich bowl, tossing it in a salad, or enjoying it on its own, it never fails to impress. The best part? It’s so easy to make. Trust me, you’ll want to fire up your grill and give this a try.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

This recipe is super easy and customizable. All you need are a few pantry staples and some chicken. You can tweak the spice level to your liking and it will taste really good (it’s even better 😋). Plus, it’s versatile—you can use it in salads, bowls, wraps, or just enjoy it on its own. It’s perfect for those who want to bring the delicious taste of Cava Grill into their homes.

How To Make Cava Grilled Chicken

This Recipe for Cava Grill Chicken at home is easier than you might think! With a few simple ingredients and a bit of preparation, you can recreate the delicious, flavorful chicken that makes Cava so special.

Follow these steps to marinate and grill your chicken to perfection, bringing a taste of Mediterranean magic to your kitchen.

Cava Grilled Chicken Ingredients 

• 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
• 1/2 cup Labneh or plain greek yogurt
• 3 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oregano
•  juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Recipe Steps

Step 01: Prepare Marinate

First let’s prepare the marinade for chicken. Take a mix bowl, add ½ cup Labneh plain yogurt, 3 cloves of finely minced, lemon juice, 1tbs of oregano, 1 tsp pepper, ¼ cup olive oil and salt. Mix it all together well with a whisk until it is smooth and creamy.

Step 02: Marinade Chicken

After preparing the marinade, add the boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast into the mixture and marinate properly until chicken thighs are well coated. Use a ziplock bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap to marinate overnight in the fridge.

Step 03: Grill Chicken

Once it is done marinating, take it out from the fridge. Place the chicken thighs on a pan with tinfoil and bake it at 350 F for about 35-40 minutes. After it’s done cooking, take out chicken thighs from the pan and cut into small pieces.

Our copycat cava grilled chicken is ready to enjoy. Take a look at the pairing ideas to enjoy this delicious grilled chicken.

Tips For This Recipe

• I use chicken thighs for this grilled chicken recipe inspired from Cava because they use chicken thighs as well. But you can try with chicken breast as well which can be an amazing variation
• Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Keep an eye on your grill and use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. Want to keep it mild? Skip the red pepper flakes or use less oregano.
• While the recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, you can also use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for extra flavor. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly (bone-in pieces take longer to cook through).
• Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after grilling to let the juices redistribute.

Cava Grilled Chicken Serving Ideas

I love how versatile this Cava Grilled Chicken is! Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:

• Rich Bowls: Layer the chicken over a base of brown rice, quinoa, or couscous, and top with fresh veggies, hummus, and a drizzle of tzatziki.
• Salads: Add the sliced chicken to a bed of greens with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta. It’s perfect with a lemony vinaigrette.
• Pita Wraps: Stuff pita bread with grilled chicken, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a dollop of hummus or tzatziki.
• Sandwiches: Create a delicious sandwich by pairing the chicken with lettuce, tomato, and avocado on a toasted bun.
• On Its Own: Enjoy the chicken as a main dish, paired with sides like roasted vegetables, tabouli, or a light couscous salad. Pair it with a glass of your favorite white wine or a refreshing iced tea for a complete meal.

Continue to Content

Cava Grilled Chicken Recipe

Yield: 3

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Cava Grilled Chicken Copycat Recipe - a perfect toppings to enjoy with salads, rice bowl or on its own. Its a very simple and Mediterranean dish for anyone who is looking to recreate CAVA restaurant flavor grilled chicken

Print

Ingredients

• 3 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast
• 1/2 cup Labneh or plain greek yogurt
• 3 cloves fresh garlic finely minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp oregano
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. First let's prepare the marinade for chicken. Take a mix bowl, add ½ cup Labneh plain yogurt, 3 cloves of finely minced, lemon juice, 1tbs of oregano, 1 tsp pepper, ¼ cup olive oil and salt. Mix it all together well with a whisk until it is smooth and creamy.
2. After preparing the marinade, add the boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast into the mixture and marinate properly until chicken thighs are well coated. Use a Ziplock bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap to marinate overnight in the fridge.
3. Once it is done marinating, take it out from the fridge. Place the chicken thighs on a pan with tinfoil and bake it at 350 F for about 35-40 minutes. After it's done cooking, take out chicken thighs from the pan and cut into small pieces.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 3
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 800mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 25g

The nutrition information provided below is estimated using an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered medical advice or guaranteed to be accurate. Please consult a professional for any dietary needs or restrictions.

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Final Words

If you really want to impress your family or friends with a perfect dish then give it a try. Just follow the ingredients and instructions I mentioned above. Stop thinking and start making this amazing and tasty dish or you can also try my other copycat recipes.

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