Cava Bowl-Inspired Dinner!

This past week, I was making dinner for a friend and struggling to figure out what to make. And then it hit me - why not try to recreate one of my favorite foods - a Cava Bowl! I am a sucker for Greek-inspired food because it just always hits.

So, if you are still reading, then you are probably somebody who is in the mood for Cava, but doesn’t want to spend the money on it (it ain’t cheap that’s for sure). Without further adieu (and before I start rambling even more), let’s get into it!

Ingredients (for 2):

• 1 pack of chicken tenders

• Any kind of potato your heart desires (usually I just need 1)

• 1/2 an onion

• 1 can of chickpeas

• 1 Cup of rice (this is an optional base)

• 1/4 Cucumber (largely depends on the size of your cucumber)

• 3-4 Cocktail sized tomatoes

• Mixed greens

• 1 Lemon

• Olive oil

• Spices (s+p, paprika, onion, and garlic powder)

• Herbs (rosemary, thyme, and sage)

Directions:

• If you have time, prep your chicken and let it marinate for a few hours in the fridge before actually cooking (if you do not have the time, it’s totally fine, but it just adds to the flavor)

  • Combine 1/2 lemon, olive oil, spices, and herbs and mix to create a marinade

  • Add chicken to a bowl and pour in marinade (mix well), and place back in the fridge covered for as long as you can

• Prepare rice

  • Start by rinsing your rice, and boiling 2 cups of water (with a splash of olive oil)

  • Once boiled, add 1 cup of rice and bring to a simmer for approx. 15-20 minutes

  • Keep the rice covered to lock in the steam for as long as possible

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees

• Prep and chop your potato and onion, add spice mix and olive oil, and place on a baking tray

• Add chicken to that same baking tray and pop in the oven for approx. 25 minutes (or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees)

• While the chicken, potatoes, and onion are cooking, start by washing and prepping your tomatoes and cucumber and hummus

  • Chop your vegetables and add that same marinade mix made for the chicken into the vegetables as well

• Rinse your chickpeas and add to a food processor with olive oil, s+p, paprika, and as much lemon as your heart desires!

  • Blend until smooth

• Add your mixed greens to the bowl, then rice, chicken, potatoes, onions, tomatoes/cucumbers, and lastly, a healthy dollop of hummus!

And voila! Of course, many variations/modifications can be made to this, but that’s the beauty of a cava bowl - the possibilities are truly endless!

with love,

just a chefs daughter :)