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–+ servings
Bowl of Greek Lemon Chicken Soup garnished with lemon and herbs.
Serine Milo

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

A comforting Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) that balances rich chicken flavor with bright lemon, perfect for chilly evenings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 270
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs You can use rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.
  • 6 cups chicken broth Can be homemade or store-bought.
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo or rice Orzo gives the soup a lovely texture.
  • 3 large eggs For thickening and adding creaminess.
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice About 2 lemons.
  • 1 tbl zest of 1 lemon For that aromatic touch.
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • to taste Fresh dill or parsley, chopped For garnish.
Optional Substitutions
  • 1 can chickpeas Replace chicken for a vegan dish.
  • 6 cups vegetable broth For a vegan version.
  • 1 cup quinoa Can be used in place of rice.

Method
 

Cooking the Soup
  1. Grab a large pot and bring your chicken broth to a gentle boil.
  2. While that warms up, season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the pot.
  3. Allow the chicken to poach gently in the broth for around 15-20 minutes, until fully cooked and tender.
  4. Once the chicken is ready, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool.
  5. In the same pot, toss in your uncooked orzo or rice and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until al dente.
  6. While that’s cooking, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Making the Avgolemono
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, and zest until smooth and frothy.
  2. Gradually ladle some hot broth into the egg mixture, slowly to temper the eggs and prevent scrambling.
  3. Pour the egg mixture back into the pot, stirring gently to combine.
  4. Bring the soup to a gentle heat again—just warm, not boiling!
  5. Add the shredded chicken and taste. Adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
  6. Serve warm, garnished with fresh dill or parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 22gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 800mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

Consider adding spinach or kale for a nutritious boost. Can substitute lime for lemon for a different twist. Using rotisserie chicken can save time.

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