Description
Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, also known as Avgolemono, is a traditional Greek dish that combines chicken, rice, and a tangy lemon-egg sauce to create a comforting and creamy soup. Perfect for cold days or any time you crave a nutritious and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (or 4 chicken breasts/thighs)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup rice or orzo
- 3 large eggs
- 2–3 lemons, juiced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large pot, add the chicken, onion, carrots, and celery. Cover with chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through (about 45 minutes).
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot. Let it cool slightly, then shred the meat, discarding the bones and skin. Set aside.
- Cook the Rice/Orzo: Add the rice or orzo to the broth and cook until tender (about 15 minutes).
- Prepare Avgolemono Sauce: In a bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy. Gradually add the lemon juice while whisking. Slowly ladle in some of the hot broth into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to temper the eggs.
- Combine Everything: Slowly pour the egg-lemon mixture back into the pot, stirring constantly. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot and heat gently, ensuring the soup does not boil to avoid curdling.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with fresh dill or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Temper the Eggs: This step is crucial to avoid curdling. Slowly incorporate hot broth into the eggs to gradually raise their temperature.
- Substitutes: You can use quinoa or barley instead of rice/orzo for a different texture.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 120mg