Brown rice, peppery arugula, grilled Greek chicken, cucumber feta salsa, tzatziki, hummus and tangy pickled onions, all in one big bowl in 15 minutes. My Cava copycat Mediterranean grain bowl is built from leftovers, so once the chicken and salsa are prepped, lunch is just assembly.
One bowl is 478 calories with 46.7 grams of protein. Make the chicken, salsa and tzatziki once, use them for pitas one night, and build these bowls a night or two later.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe Name: Cava Copycat Mediterranean Grain Bowl
- Ready In: 15 minutes
- Serves: 1 serving
- Calories: 478 cal
- Protein: 46.7g
- Fat: 13.3g
- Carbs: 45.7g
- Why You'll Love It: This easy-to-make copycat Cava Copycat Mediterranean Grain Bowl is so much better than take-out. It's healthy, fresh, and SO delicious!
Before You Start Cooking
- Prep the components first. The Greek chicken, Greek salsa and tzatziki are what make this bowl. I make a big batch of all three at the start of the week.
- Quick-pickle the cabbage. I usually have pickled onions in my fridge, so I pour some of that pickling liquid over sliced purple cabbage and let it sit while I prep everything else. An hour is great, but even a little time helps.
- Use frozen brown rice. I always use Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice. It just needs a quick warm-up in the microwave.
- Pick a lower-fat hummus. I used a jalapeño cilantro hummus with 2.5 grams of fat per 2 tablespoons. Trader Joe’s eggplant hummus is great too. Brands vary a lot, so check the label if you’re matching macros.
Important Ingredients and Substitutions
- Greek chicken: I use my grilled Greek chicken. Any leftover grilled chicken works.
- Greek salsa and tzatziki: Both are in my Greek pitas with cucumber feta salsa post. Store-bought tzatziki or Trader Joe’s avocado tzatziki work if you’re short on time.
- Pickled red onions: My super quick pickled onions are worth keeping in the fridge for bowls like this.
- Fat-free feta: Trader Joe’s sells one, and it keeps the macros in check.
It’s naturally gluten-free. For dairy-free, use a dairy-free yogurt in the tzatziki and a dairy-free feta like Follow Your Heart.
How to Make a Cava Copycat Bowl
- Start the base. Warm the brown rice according to the package, then toss it with the arugula in a large bowl.
- Add the toppings. Top with the Greek chicken, Greek salsa, tzatziki, hummus, pickled onion and pickled cabbage.
- Finish it. Add the feta, fresh mint and a squeeze of lemon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of hummus?
If you can’t eat legumes, skip the hummus and add an extra spoonful of tzatziki. It still gives you that creamy layer.
Can I add some heat?
Yes. One reader adds Trader Joe’s zhoug sauce for a little spice. Harissa or a few slices of jalapeño work too.
Can I meal prep these bowls?
Yes. Pack the rice, chicken and pickled veggies together, and keep the arugula, tzatziki and lemon separate until you’re ready to eat so the greens don’t wilt.
How to Serve It
This bowl is a full meal on its own. If you need a dairy-free version, my easy dairy-free Cava bowl skips the feta and tzatziki entirely.
Mediterranean leftovers like these are exactly how I build my meal plans, with the planning and the macros done for you every week.
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Cava Copycat Mediterranean Grain Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown rice 70 g- (I always use the frozen brown rice from Trader Joe’s)
- 75 g arugula favorite bagged arugula is Trader Joe’s
- 100 g grilled Greek Chicken
- 100 g Greek Salsa
- 30 g tzatziki or use Trader Joe’s tzatziki or avocado tzatziki!
- 40 g hummus I used Hope brand jalapeno cilantro- only 2.5 fat for 2 tbs so if you want the macros to match, try and find one similar! The Trader Joe’s eggplant hummus is great for only 2 fat.
- 25 g easy pickled red onion
- 25 g quick pickled cabbage Just pour some of the same pickling juice from the red onions over sliced purple cabbage for about an hour. Or however minutes you have! Even a litle helps.
- 14 g of fat-free feta Trader Joe’s sells one!
- Extra mint
- Squeeze of lemon
Instructions
- Toss brown rice and arugula in a large bowl.
- Top with leftover grilled Greek Chicken, Greek Salsa, tzatziki, hummus, pickled onion and cabbage.
- Add extra feta, mint, and a squeeze of lemon and close your eyes and dream that you’re at Cava.
Notes
- This is the perfect meal to make with your Greek leftovers. I love to make a big batch of the Greek chicken, Greek salsa, and tzatziki… and use it for pitas one night, and a bowl a night or two later. I’ve usually got pickled onions already in my fridge so it’s easy to pour some of the liquid over my cabbage and let it sit while I prep anything else.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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Great recipe! I love all of Lillie’s recipes when counting my macros.
Do we know the fiber in this??? Thanks
The recipe is simple, easy, and delicious. If I have the macros available I like to add TJ’s Zhoug Sauce for a little spice. Thanks so much for sharing.
Love this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is even better than Cava! I could genuinely eat this every single day.
Next time you go to DC you should try a restaurant called Mezeh, it’s similar to cava but it’s even more delicious….
I’ve never been there, but it sounds great! I’ll have to try it sometime!
This bowl was AMAZING! I could eat this every day and it’s such a hit with my husband, too. I’ve never had Cava before but I don’t feel like I’m missing out with this recipe.
Lillie, any suggestion for a hummus substitute? I cannot eat legumes. Thanks!
I’d probably just use more tzatziki! Sorry for this delay!
No worries, thank you!
this was amazing!!! i couldnt find it on MFP however 🙁 not sure why
So glad you liked it! I just checked because I have certainly missed some and found it under that (long) title. Ha! Were you able to find it??
Oh my goodness. I love CAVA. I went years ago in this fun little shopping place in Virginia called Mosiac and then found one this last year down the street from my parents. It is incredible. I have been craving it too as was so glad that you did a copy cat version. Now I just need to get around to making it. Thanks Lillie!
I know! I was so excited to see that they’re on the west coast too! If only that meant we’d get one out to the little desert.