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Greek lemon chicken soup (Avgolemono) with shredded chicken, rice, fresh dill, and lemon

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)

This authentic Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) features tender chicken, rice, fresh herbs, and a silky egg-lemon broth that's naturally creamy without any cream. Made with my Greek Seasoning, this comforting one-pot soup is bright, flavorful, and easier than you think to make.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 295

Ingredients
  

Soup
Avgolemono
Finish

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or large soup pot: Provides plenty of room to simmer the soup and temper the broth evenly
  • Whisk Essential for creating a smooth egg-lemon mixture and preventing the eggs from scrambling
  • Mixing Bowl Used for whisking together the eggs and lemon juice before tempering
  • Ladle: Makes it easy to slowly add the hot broth while tempering the eggs
  • Tongs or Slotted Spoon: For removing the cooked chicken before shredding
  • Two Forks: Perfect for shredding the chicken into bite-sized pieces

Method
 

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 7–8 minutes until softened.
  2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the Greek Seasoning, salt and bay leaves. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and add the chicken breasts. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F.
  4. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer it to a cutting board. Add the rice to the simmering broth and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until tender.
  5. While the rice cooks, shred the chicken using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and reduce the heat to low.
  6. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the whole eggs and egg yolks for about 1 minute until light and frothy. Whisk in the fresh lemon juice.
  7. Slowly ladle about 1½ cups of the hot broth into the egg mixture a little at a time, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
  8. Very slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the soup while stirring constantly.
  9. Continue cooking over low heat for 2–3 minutes until the broth becomes silky and slightly thickened. Do not allow the soup to boil.
  10. Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the fresh dill and parsley.
  11. Taste and adjust with additional salt, black pepper, or lemon juice if desired. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and fresh cracked black pepper.

Video

Notes

  • Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice won't give the same bright, fresh taste.
  • Don't Boil: Once the egg mixture has been added, keep the soup over low heat. Boiling can cause the eggs to curdle.
  • Tempering: Slowly adding the hot broth to the egg mixture while whisking constantly is the secret to a perfectly smooth, creamy soup.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Warm gently over low heat, stirring frequently. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup has thickened, and avoid boiling.
  • Freezing: The soup can be frozen for up to 2 months, though the texture of the egg-lemon broth may change slightly after thawing.
  • Nutrition (per serving, 8 servings): Approximately 295 calories, 10g fat, 20g carbs, 30g protein, 2g fiber. Nutrition information is an estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.