Soothing Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe For Rainy Days

Comforting greek lemon chicken soup warms your soul with tangy Mediterranean flavors.

Aromatic herbs dance through each spoonful, promising a delightful culinary journey.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among delicate rice grains, creating a perfect balance of textures.

Bright citrus notes lift the broth, making every bite refreshingly complex.

Grandmothers in athens have perfected this recipe over generations, passing down their cherished techniques.

You’ll feel like you’re sitting in a cozy Greek kitchen, surrounded by love and tradition.

Discover why this soup isn’t just a meal, it’s a heartwarming experience that connects you to ancient culinary roots.

Why Greek Chicken Soup Stands Out

• Simplify Kitchen Cooking: Master a classic Greek soup with minimal cooking skills, perfect for beginners wanting to explore international cuisines without complicated techniques.
• Create Comfort in a Bowl: Packed with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and zesty lemon, this soup delivers warm, nourishing goodness that hugs your soul and satisfies hunger completely.
• Quick Nutritious Meal: Loaded with protein from chicken, vitamins from vegetables, and wholesome rice, this soup provides a balanced one-pot meal that keeps you energized and feeling great.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Adaptable for various dietary preferences, this soup can be easily modified for gluten-free or low-carb diets while maintaining its delicious Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.

What Goes in Lemon Chicken Soup

• Chicken: A tender protein that provides hearty substance to the soup.

• Onion, Celery, Carrots: A classic mirepoix that creates a rich, aromatic flavor foundation for the soup.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that adds depth and warmth to the overall taste.

• Chicken Stock: A flavorful liquid that serves as the primary soup base.
• Rice: A soft grain that adds texture and helps thicken the soup.
• Bay Leaf: An herb that infuses subtle earthy notes into the broth.

• Eggs: A creamy ingredient that helps create the soup's signature silky texture.
• Lemon Juice: A bright, tangy element that provides a zesty and refreshing flavor profile.
• Fresh Dill: A delicate herb that adds a light, fresh finish to the soup.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps sauté vegetables and develop initial flavors.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's overall taste.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken Soup

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Onion
• Celery
• Carrots

Cook until vegetables become tender and onion turns translucent, about 3 minutes.

Toss in garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.

Step 2: Build Soup Base

Coat rice in the vegetable mixture, then pour in chicken stock. Add bay leaf and bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook until rice becomes soft and tender, approximately 10 minutes.

Step 3: Incorporate Chicken

Fold shredded chicken into the simmering soup.

Allow ingredients to meld together over low heat.

Step 4: Create Creamy Lemon Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk lemon juice and eggs until the mixture becomes light and frothy.

This will create the signature creamy texture of avgolemono.

Step 5: Blend Egg Mixture Carefully

Remove soup from heat.

Gradually whisk 2 cups of hot broth into the egg mixture to prevent curdling. Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the soup, stirring gently to create a smooth, silky consistency.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Stir in freshly chopped dill. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Serve immediately while hot and fragrant.

Tips That Help Your Soup Shine

• Whisk eggs gradually to prevent curdling, creating a silky smooth texture for the soup.
• Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to bottled alternatives.
• Select rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken to save preparation time and add depth to the soup.
• Consider replacing rice with quinoa for a gluten-free and protein-rich variation that maintains similar consistency.
• Garnish with extra fresh dill and lemon zest to enhance the aromatic profile and create a restaurant-quality presentation.

Flavor Twists on Greek Chicken Soup

• Vegetarian Avgolemono: Replace chicken with cubed tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based protein option. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock to maintain the soup's rich flavor profile.
• Quinoa Power Soup: Swap rice with quinoa for a protein-packed alternative. This gluten-free grain adds extra nutrients and a slightly nutty taste to the traditional recipe.
• Low-Carb Greek Soup: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates. This version works perfectly for keto and low-carb diet followers while keeping the authentic lemony essence.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Enhance the soup by adding fresh oregano and parsley alongside dill. Incorporate crumbled feta cheese on top for an extra layer of Mediterranean flavor.

Pairings for Lemon Chicken Soup Bowls

• Pair with Crisp Salad: Create a light Greek-style salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and feta cheese to complement the soup's lemony brightness and add fresh crunch.
• Recommend Assyrtiko Wine: Select a chilled Greek white wine with citrus notes that beautifully mirrors the soup's lemon flavor and enhances its Mediterranean profile.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Serve warm sourdough or rustic Greek bread to soak up the soup's rich broth and provide a satisfying textural contrast.
• Choose Herbal Tea: Brew a gentle chamomile or mint tea to balance the soup's tanginess and provide a soothing accompaniment that cleanses the palate.

How to Store This Chicken Soup

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.

Transfer soup to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing if eggs are not fully incorporated.

Warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore original consistency. Avoid boiling to prevent egg separation.

Heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Use medium power to prevent overcooking and maintain soup’s creamy texture.

FAQs

• What is the key ingredient that gives this soup its distinctive flavor?

Lemon juice is the secret ingredient that provides a bright, tangy taste to the Greek chicken soup, creating its signature zesty profile.

• How does tempering eggs work in this recipe?

Tempering prevents eggs from curdling by gradually raising their temperature with hot broth, which allows them to blend smoothly into the soup without creating scrambled egg chunks.

• Why is dill important in this soup?

Fresh dill adds an authentic Greek flavor and provides a fresh, herbal note that complements the lemon and chicken, enhancing the overall taste of the soup.

• Can I make this soup ahead of time?

While best served immediately, you can prepare the soup without adding the egg mixture and store it separately, then add the egg mixture and reheat gently just before serving to maintain its creamy texture.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) brings Mediterranean comfort to your kitchen, blending zesty citrus with rich, creamy broth. Fragrant herbs and tender chicken create a soul-warming dish you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 (6 ounces/170 grams) chicken breasts, seasoned, cooked, and shredded

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small sweet onion, diced small
• 2 stalks celery, diced small
• 2 medium carrots, diced small
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large bay leaf

Liquids, Grains, and Seasonings:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/2 cup (95 grams) Arborio rice
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium temperature. Sauté onion, celery, and carrots until vegetables soften and become translucent, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until lightly golden and aromatic, about 20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Coat rice in the sautéed vegetable mixture, then pour in chicken stock and add bay leaf. Bring liquid to a gentle simmer and cook until rice reaches tender consistency, around 10 minutes.
3. Introduce shredded chicken into the simmering pot and continue cooking at low heat.
4. Whisk lemon juice and eggs together in a separate bowl until mixture becomes light and frothy.
5. Remove saucepan from heat source. Gradually stream 2 cups of hot broth into egg mixture while continuously whisking. Carefully pour egg mixture back into soup, stirring gently to prevent curdling.
6. Incorporate fresh dill into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Distribute soup evenly into serving bowls. Garnish and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Prevent egg curdling by tempering carefully, gradually adding hot broth to eggs while whisking constantly to create a smooth, silky texture.
• Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest, most vibrant flavor that cuts through the richness of the chicken and creates a zesty profile.
• Choose short-grain rice like Arborio for extra creaminess, or swap with quinoa for a gluten-free protein-packed alternative that maintains similar texture.
• Enhance soup’s nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added color and nutrients.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 185 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 310 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg