Healing Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) Recipe
This Healing Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, known as Avgolemono, is a comforting and nourishing dish perfect for wellness and cozy meals. Featuring tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and a tangy lemon-egg broth, this traditional Greek soup blends hearty flavors with soothing warmth, ideal for boosting your immune system and delighting your taste buds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 carrots, diced (optional)
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup white rice or orzo pasta
- 2 large eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- Juice of 2–3 lemons (about ½ cup)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh dill or parsley, for garnish
Optional Add-ins
- Spinach or kale
- 1 tsp turmeric
- Quinoa instead of rice
Instructions
- Cook Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion turns translucent. Then stir in the minced garlic and diced carrots, cooking together for another 2 minutes to enhance the flavors.
- Prepare Broth & Rice: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the white rice or orzo pasta and reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice or pasta is tender and fully cooked.
- Whisk Eggs & Lemon: In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 large eggs, 1 egg yolk, and the freshly squeezed juice of 2 to 3 lemons until the mixture is frothy and smooth. This creates the signature avgolemono tangy base.
- Temper Eggs: To prevent the eggs from curdling, slowly ladle hot broth from the pot into the egg-lemon mixture while whisking continuously. This gradual heating tempers the eggs gently.
- Combine & Finish: Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot while stirring continuously. Add the shredded cooked chicken and cook over low heat, making sure the soup does not boil, until it thickens to a creamy consistency and the chicken is heated through.
- Season & Serve: Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper accordingly. Garnish with fresh dill or parsley. Serve the soup hot as a comforting and revitalizing meal.
Notes
- You can substitute quinoa for rice to add extra protein and nutrients.
- Spinach or kale can be added along with the chicken for an extra boost of greens.
- A pinch of turmeric adds an earthy flavor and additional health benefits.
- Do not allow the soup to boil once the egg-lemon mixture is added to avoid curdling.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright and tangy flavor.
Keywords: Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, Avgolemono, Comfort Soup, Healing Soup, Lemon Chicken Soup, Chicken and Rice Soup, Traditional Greek Soup
