Description
A comforting and bright Greek lemon chicken soup made with chicken, rice or orzo, and a silky egg-lemon mixture for a creamy texture without cream.
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 1 lb Chicken thighs or breasts (Thighs for richer flavor, breasts for leaner.)
- 8 cups Chicken broth (Homemade is preferred but boxed is acceptable.)
- 1 cup Rice or orzo (Traditional options.)
- 2 large Eggs (Use fresh eggs for a creamy texture.)
- 2 large Fresh lemons, juiced (Fresh lemon is crucial.)
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 stalks Celery, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf Bay leaf
- to taste Salt (Season in layers.)
- to taste Pepper (Season to taste.)
- optional Fresh dill or parsley, for garnish (Adds a nice flavor.)
Instructions
Prepare the Broth
- Heat a pot with a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery with a pinch of salt, cooking until softened.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth. If using raw chicken, add it to the pot along with a bay leaf and simmer until cooked through.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.
Cook the Rice or Orzo
- If cooking the rice or orzo in the pot, add it to simmering broth and cook just until tender. Rice takes about 15-20 minutes, orzo about 8-10 minutes.
- If preparing separately, cook accordingly and set aside.
Make the Egg Lemon Mixture
- In a bowl, whisk together 2 eggs until smooth, then whisk in the juice of 2 lemons.
- Temper the mixture by slowly ladling in hot broth while whisking constantly, about 2-3 ladles.
- Lower the heat of the soup, ensuring it is hot but not boiling. Pour the tempered egg mixture into the soup while stirring gently.
- Add the shredded chicken back in and adjust seasoning with more lemon, salt, and pepper as needed.
Notes
Serve with warm pita or crusty bread, and consider pairing with a Greek salad or roasted veggies. For best results, store soup without the rice or orzo to prevent it from thickening too much.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Soups
- Cuisine: Greek