CAVA Bowls at Home (Perfect for Meal Prep!)

These easy CAVA bowls are packed with flavor thanks to spiced grilled chicken thighs, basmati rice, and all your favorite Mediterranean toppings. The perfect make-ahead meal!

There’s just something about a fully loaded Mediterranean bowl that feels like the ultimate lunch win—especially when you’ve made it at home for a fraction of the cost.

If you love CAVA as much as I do, this recipe is for you. I’m talking juicy, yogurt-and-spice-marinated chicken thighs grilled to perfection, fluffy yellow basmati rice (made in the Instant Pot because we love a shortcut), and all the toppings you’d find in your favorite takeout bowl—feta, pickled onions, creamy hummus, spring mix, and a warm piece of naan or pita on the side to scoop it all up.

This bowl isn’t just a vibe. It’s a full-on crave-worthy moment.

Why You’ll Love These CAVA-Inspired Bowls

✔️ Flavor-packed – The spiced chicken brings the heat, the hummus cools it down, and every bite is layered with texture and taste.

✔️ Perfect for meal prep – I made six bowls for the price of one CAVA order. Yup. Six.

✔️ Customizable – Add or skip whatever toppings you like. Falafel instead of chicken? Go for it. Extra tzatziki? Absolutely.

✔️ Balanced and satisfying – Protein, fiber, healthy fats, greens—it’s all there.

Let’s Talk About the Chicken

I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a mix of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and Mediterranean spices like paprika, cumin and oregano. You can let it sit overnight or give it at least an hour to soak up all that flavor.

Grill it until beautifully charred, slice it up, and you’re ready to build your bowl.

Building Your Bowl

Start with your base—yellow basmati rice (I make mine in the Instant Pot for that perfect texture). Then pile on the toppings:

• Marinated grilled chicken thighs
• Spring mix or chopped romaine
• Hummus (store-bought or homemade)
• Tzatziki
• Feta cheese
• Pickled red onions
• Cucumbers or tomato & cucumber salad
• Kalamata olives if you love ‘em
• Warm naan or pita bread on the side

It’s giving meal prep masterpiece—and the best part is, everything holds up well in the fridge so you can assemble fresh bowls all week long.

If you’ve been craving that Mediterranean flavor without the delivery fee, give this recipe a try. It’s so simple, so satisfying, and will absolutely become a weekly go-to.

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5 from 1 vote

Easy CAVA Bowls with Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Thighs & Yellow Basmati Rice

If you’re obsessed with CAVA bowls like I am, this homemade version is going to blow your mind. Flavor-packed grilled chicken, fluffy yellow rice, and all the toppings your heart desires—yes please. It’s perfect for meal prep and honestly, better than takeout.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Author natasha

Ingredients

Yogurt-Marinated Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• squeeze of lemon juice, about 1 tbsp
• 1 tbsp Kinder’s Smoky All Purpose Seasoning or sub Cajun seasoning for a kick

Yellow Basmati Rice – Instant Pot Method

• 1/2 small yellow onion finely diced
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 1/4 cups basmati rice
• Kosher salt to taste
• 1 spring of fresh thyme
• Water check your rice brand instructions—Instant Pot uses a little less; I eyeball it (about 1 cup of water per cup of rice)

For toppings:

• Hummus
• Spring mix or chopped romaine
• Pickled red onions
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Tzatziki
• Cucumbers olives, or your favorite CAVA-style toppings

Instructions

For chicken:

• In a large bowl or ziplock bag, mix together yogurt, lemon juice and all the seasonings.
• Add chicken thighs and coat evenly. Let it marinate if you can (up to overnight f you have time). If not, that's okay, still taste great cooked right away!
• Grill on medium-high heat for about 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and slightly charred. Let rest, then slice.

For Rice:

• Rinse the basmati rice until the water runs clear.
• In your Instant Pot, sauté the diced onion in a little oil until translucent (use the “Sauté” function).
• Add turmeric and stir for 30 seconds to bloom the spice.
• Add the rinsed rice, thyme, water, season to taste with salt, stir , and seal the lid.
• Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes with a natural release for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork once done. You can also just select the rice function on the instant pot.

Build Bowl:

• A scoop of yellow basmati rice
• Sliced grilled chicken
• Spring mix or chopped romaine
• Hummus
• Pickled red onions
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Tzatziki
• Cucumbers, olives, or your favorite CAVA-style toppings
• Serve with warm naan or pita bread on the side
• Let the bowls cool, then store in the fridge for up to 4 days.