Cava Grilled Chicken Recipe

Summertime conjures up images of sunny Mediterranean escapes, with incredible food, beautiful scenery, and a relaxed vibe. While you may not be able to jet set off to Greece or Spain at the moment, you can transport your tastebuds there with a simple yet flavorful Cava Grilled Chicken recipe. This easy chicken dish marinated in a tangy, herbed yogurt sauce called labneh will have you daydreaming of island hopping in Santorini over a plate of grilled chicken and fresh Greek salad.

Cava Grilled Chicken gets its name from the popular fast casual Mediterranean restaurant Cava. Their signature protein is a Lebanese-style marinated chicken that comes either grilled or roasted. The chicken is so moist, tender and full of bright, Mediterranean flavors. With just a handful of ingredients like Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil and oregano, you can recreate the fabulous Cava chicken at home on the grill or in the oven.

What Does Cava Grilled Chicken Taste Like?

Cava’s grilled chicken is seasoned to perfection with Mediterranean herbs and spices. It strikes the ideal balance between savory and acidic. Each juicy bite is full of these delicious flavors:

• Lemony – The marinade uses lemon juice which gives the chicken a bright, citrusy zing. This helps cut through the richness of the chicken.
• Herbaceous – Dried oregano adds an aromatic, earthy backdrop that enhances the other flavors.
• Cool and Tangy – The marinade utilizes labneh which is a thick, spreadable Middle Eastern yogurt. This gives the chicken a refreshing tartness.
• Peppery – Freshly cracked black pepper bumps up the spiciness for another layer of flavor. The peppery taste lingers on your tongue after each bite.
• Zesty – A touch of salt brings all the flavors into sharp focus and keeps you going back for more.

With so many herbs, citrus, spice, and tang, this chicken is anything but plain. The complex medley of tastes and textures is what makes Cava’s grilled chicken so craveable.

How to Make Cava Grilled Chicken

Making restaurant-quality Cava Grilled Chicken at home is easy. With just a few simple ingredients, some time to marinate, and a hot grill, you can enjoy this flavorful chicken any night of the week.

Here is what you will need:

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or 2 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup labneh (or Greek yogurt)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Kitchen Tools

• Mixing bowl
• Shallow baking dish or resealable plastic bag for marinating
• Grill or grill pan
• Basting brush
• Instant-read thermometer

Step-by-Step Instruction

Step 1: Create the Marinade

In a mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup labneh, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Stir the ingredients together until you achieve a smooth and well-incorporated marinade.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure the marinade adheres well.

Step 3: Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and let it marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

Step 4: Preheat and Grill

Once the marinating process is complete, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection

Place the marinated chicken on the preheated grill. Grill each side for approximately 5-7 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The yogurt or labneh in the marinade helps create a beautiful char while keeping the chicken moist and tender.

Step 6: Rest and Enjoy

Once grilled to perfection, transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite. Slice the chicken into desired portions.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle some fresh oregano and drizzle a bit of olive oil over the grilled chicken for an extra burst of flavor. Serve your Cava Grilled Chicken alongside your favorite sides, such as a crisp salad or roasted vegetables.

Tips for Grilling Juicy, Infused Chicken

Grilling chicken can go wrong if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips to ensure tender, juicy chicken infused with flavor every time:

• Don’t rush the marinating process – Letting the chicken soak up the flavors overnight is ideal. At least 2 hours of marinating time is recommended.
• Pat chicken dry before marinating – Dabbing the chicken with paper towels ensures the marinade sticks instead of sliding off a damp surface.
• Use bone-in chicken – The bones help keep the meat moist during cooking. Boneless cuts like breasts easily dry out on the grill.
• Preheat properly – Get the grill nice and hot before adding food. This helps the chicken caramelize instead of steaming.
• Flip frequently – Rotating the chicken prevents burning. Shoot for flipping every 2-3 minutes.
• Rest before cutting – Letting the chicken sit after cooking allows juices to redistribute so they don’t run out when sliced.

What to Do with Leftover Cava Grilled Chicken Recipe

Like any grilled protein, Cava chicken leftovers keep well for a few days in the fridge. This allows you to transform one recipe into multiple easy meals. Here are some tasty ways to repurpose leftover chicken:

• Combine shredded chicken with mayo, celery, and lemon juice for an easy chicken salad. Enjoy between bread or over greens.
• Turn chicken pieces into slider sandwiches by piling them onto mini buns with hummus and pickled red onions.
• Make a protein-packed breakfast hash with chicken, potatoes, peppers, onions, and eggs.
• Simmer chicken in tomato sauce and Greek seasonings for a quick chicken parmesan.
• For an easy weeknight dinner, stir chopped chicken into pasta or rice dishes.
• Dice and fold chicken into egg scrambles and frittatas for a hearty start to the day.

Storing and Reheating Process

Cava grilled chicken lasts 3-4 days stored properly in the refrigerator. To store, place leftover chicken in an airtight container. You can keep it as is, or slice into portions. The juices may solidify when chilled – this is completely normal.

To reheat, there are a few good options:

• Microwave – Reheat chicken on a microwave-safe plate, covered, until warmed through, 1-2 minutes.
• Oven – Bake chicken in a 375°F oven on a lined sheet tray or casserole dish until heated through, about 15 minutes.
• Pan Fry – Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet. Add chicken and cook over medium heat a few minutes per side to rewarm.
• Simmer in Marinade – Place chicken in a saucepan with a bit of the original marinade or fresh made. Gently heat on the stove just until chicken is warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about making Cava’s famous grilled chicken at home:

What is labneh?

• Labneh is a thick, strained yogurt used often in Mediterranean cooking. It has a creamy, rich texture. If you can’t find it, substitute regular plain Greek yogurt.

Can I marinate longer than overnight?

• Yes, you can marinate the chicken up to 2 days for even more flavor infusion.

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs?

• Absolutely! Chicken breasts work great in this recipe as well. Adjust the grilling time slightly, as breasts often cook faster.

Do I need to brush more marinade on while grilling?

• Brushing on a bit more marinade in the last 5 minutes of grilling helps keep the chicken juicy and adds more flavor. But this step is optional.

What oil can I use instead of olive oil?

• While olive oil adds wonderful Mediterranean flavor, you can substitute vegetable, canola or avocado oil if needed.

What sides go well with this chicken?

• Some fantastic Mediterranean-inspired sides are rice pilaf, couscous, roasted veggies, hummus, flatbread, Greek salad and more.

How should I reheat leftovers?

• You can reheat the grilled chicken in the microwave, oven, pan-fried or simmered in leftover marinade. See full details above.

A Taste of the Mediterranean, No Flight Required

Cava’s incredible grilled chicken is proof that simple, fresh ingredients can create mouthwatering flavor. Now there’s no need to wait in line at the restaurant thanks to this easy Cava Grilled Chicken Recipe recipe. With just a few pantry staples, you can recreate their famous chicken from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Treat yourself to tender, juicy chicken bursting with bright Mediterranean flavour any night of the week. Your tastebuds will thank you! What are you waiting for? Fire up the grill and whip up a batch of crave-worthy Cava chicken today.