Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, or Avgolemono, is a traditional Mediterranean dish that combines the creaminess of eggs with the bright, refreshing acidity of lemon. It’s a perfect choice when you’re looking for a comforting soup that is both hearty and light. The addition of chicken and rice makes it a balanced and satisfying meal, ideal for a family lunch or dinner.
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small sweet onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt)
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup Arborio rice
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 large bay leaf
- 2 chicken breasts (6 ounces each), cooked and shredded
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 large eggs
- 2 & ½ tablespoons chopped fresh dill
PREPARATION:
Directions:
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for another 20 seconds.
- Add the Rice: Stir in the Arborio rice, coating it well with the oil and vegetables.
- Simmer with Stock and Bay Leaf: Add the chicken stock and bay leaf, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Add the Chicken: Stir in the shredded chicken, maintaining a gentle simmer.
- Prepare the Lemon-Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and eggs until light and frothy.
- Temper the Egg Mixture: Remove the soup from the heat. Slowly whisk 2 cups of hot broth into the egg mixture to equalize the temperature and prevent curdling. Then, slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the soup, stirring constantly.
- Add Dill and Serve: Stir in the chopped dill, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately.
Greek Lemon Chicken Soup offers a bright, zesty, and creamy flavor. The egg and lemon combination creates a silky texture, while the dill adds a fresh note, making this soup a perfect balance of comfort and refreshment.