CAVA Chicken (Mediterranean Grilled Chicken)

This copycat CAVA chicken recipe is marinated in Mediterranean spices, olive oil, garlic, and lemon — then grilled or pan-seared until juicy and charred. Serve it with rice, hummus, tzatziki, and pickled onions for a delicious bowl!

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin (optional)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt & black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Make the Marinade:
2. In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Marinate the Chicken:
4. Add chicken thighs to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
5. Cook:
6. Grill on medium-high heat for 5–7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). You can also pan-sear or bake.
7. Rest & Slice:
8. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
9. Serve:
10. Enjoy in a grain bowl, pita wrap, or salad with toppings like hummus, feta, olives, cucumber, and tahini sauce.