Greek Avgolemono Chicken Soup
A silky, comforting Greek classic that perfectly balances the brightness of fresh lemon with the richness of a velvety egg-thickened chicken broth.
Ingredients
- •6 cups high-quality chicken stock
- •1/2 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- •2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- •3 large eggs
- •1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- •1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- 1
In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- 2
Add the rice to the boiling stock, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15-18 minutes until the rice is tender.
- 3
Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and heat through for 2 minutes, then remove the pot from the heat entirely.
- 4
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously until they are frothy and pale.
- 5
Slowly drizzle the lemon juice into the eggs while continuing to whisk constantly.
- 6
To temper the eggs, slowly ladle about 1 cup of the hot chicken broth into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- 7
Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot of soup while stirring the soup constantly to ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- 8
Place the pot back on very low heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the soup thickens slightly; do not let it boil or the eggs will scramble.
- 9
Season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve immediately.
💡 Chef tips
- The most important step is tempering; adding the hot broth to the eggs slowly prevents the eggs from scrambling, ensuring a silky texture.
- If you want a thicker soup, you can increase the rice to 3/4 cup, but keep in mind the rice will continue to absorb liquid as it sits.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat very gently over low heat, stirring constantly, to avoid breaking the emulsion.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished soup should be pale yellow and creamy with a luxurious, velvety mouthfeel, smelling bright and citrusy with a savory, comforting chicken flavor.