This is the ultimate Greek Chicken Bowl recipe that’s better than Cava (according to my family)! Herb-marinated grilled chicken, tender greens, hearty grains, and a variety of your favorite Greek toppings make for a healthy, gluten-free, and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Our family is a huge fan of Cava and the go-to dish is often there “greens and grains bowl” with chicken and an assortment of Greek toppings.
After eating these bowls on countless occassions, I decided it was time to learn how to make it. So here is my “copy cat” recipe which my family claims is far better than Cava’s!
But first, let’s cover why the bowl is such a wholesome choice…
What Makes this Bowl Healthy?
Lean Protein: The herb-marinated grilled chicken provides high-quality, lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth, and keeps you feeling full longer.
Fresh Greens: Incorporating a variety of greens such as spinach, kale, or mixed salad greens adds essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the dish. These nutrients support overall health, boost immunity, and aid digestion.
Whole Grains: Including grains like quinoa, brown rice, or bulgur provides complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and essential nutrients. Whole grains help maintain stable blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy.
Healthy Fats: Greek toppings often include ingredients like olives, feta cheese, and olive oil, which are sources of healthy fats. These fats support heart health, improve cholesterol levels, and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Gut-Healthy Prebiotics: Most if not all of the greens, grains, garlic, and veggie toppings you add contain prebiotics, which are dietary fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Gut-Healthy Probiotics: If you add fermented foods such as Greek yogurt and olives to your bowl, these ingredients can introduce beneficial bacteria (probiotics) to your gut, enhancing its microbial balance and supporting digestive health.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for exact quantities:
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- olive or avocado oil
- juice of half of a lemon
- minced fresh garlic
- dried oregano
- dried thyme
- dried parsley
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- greens: mixed greens or arugula
- grains: quinoa, brown rice, or basmati rice
- toppings: Creamiest Hummus, tzatziki sauce, chopped cucumbers, grape tomatoes, olives, chopped parsley
- dressing: 5- Minute Zesty Greek Dressing or Creamy Harissa Dressing
How to Make Greek Chicken Bowl with Greens and Grains
In a bowl, make the marinade by whisking all the ingredients before the chicken together (oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and honey).
Coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
Preheat your grill to 350°.
Grill marinated chicken breasts until golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F, about 5 minutes per side.
Remove chicken from the grill. Let cool for 3-5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized chunks.
Begin assembling your bowls: Layer greens and grains on the bottom, then array chicken and toppings (e.g., hummus, tzatziki sauce, chopped cucumbers, grape tomatoes, olives, chopped parsley) across the top of the bowl.
Drizzle with 5-Minute Zesty Greek Dressing and serve!
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. Store the grilled chicken, cooked grains, and chopped vegetables separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the bowls just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh. Eat cold or warm, but I prefer re-heating chicken and grains.
What type of greens can I use?
You can use a variety of greens such as spinach, kale, arugula, or mixed salad greens. Feel free to mix and match based on your preference and availability.
Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?
Absolutely! You can substitute the chicken with other proteins like grilled shrimp, beef, lamb, or a plant-based protein like chickpeas or tofu.
What grains work best in this bowl?
Common grains for this bowl include quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, or farro. You can choose your favorite or mix multiple grains for added texture and flavor.
What dressings are best for this bowl?
Our Zesty Greek Dressing is great for this bowl, or if you’re looking for something spicier and more robust, try this Creamy Harissa Dressing by Platings and Pairings.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian or vegan version by using plant-based protein sources such as marinated tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. Ensure any dressings or toppings are also plant-based.
What toppings are best for this bowl?
Popular Greek toppings include hummus, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, kalamata or green olives, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, and fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Keep the grains, greens, and protein separate to maintain freshness. Assemble the bowls when ready to eat.
Greek Chicken Bowl with Greens and Grains (better than Cava!)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive or avocado oil
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 4 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 lb chicken breasts (about 4 small breasts) boneless and skinless
- Greens: mixed greens or arugula for the bottom of the bowl
- Grains: quinoa, brown rice, or basmati rice (cook according to instructions; Stir in pine nuts or slivered almonds when cooked).
- Creamiest Hummus
- Toppings: Tzatziki sauce, chopped cucumbers, grape tomatoes, olives, chopped parsley
- Dressing: Zesty Greek Dressing
Instructions
- In a bowl, make the marinade by whisking all the ingredients before the chicken together (oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, and honey).
- Coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours.
- Preheat your grill to 350°.
- Grill marinated chicken breasts until golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F, about 5 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from the grill. Let cool for 3-5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized chunks.
- Begin assembling your bowls: Layer greens and grains on the bottom, then array chicken and toppings (e.g., hummus, tzatziki sauce, chopped cucumbers, grape tomatoes, olives, chopped parsley) across the top of the bowl.
- Drizzle with Greek dressing (see recipe link in notes) and serve!
3 Comments
chicken marinade = ridiculously good
This is great for entertaining because you can lay out a beautiful spread of toppings and let people make their own bowls!
This meal is delicious and now on a weekly rotation for our family. Everyone loves it (my teenagers can’t get enough of it). The marinated chicken is insanely flavorful; the hummus is the creamiest and yummiest I have ever tasted; the zesty dressing has a nice kick to finish it all off. Drop everything and make this meal tonight! Also great for groups.