Description
Experience the silky, tangy embrace of authentic avgolemono soup, a Greek classic that elevates simple chicken soup with egg-lemon magic. This 30-minute recipe delivers creamy comfort without cream, outperforming restaurant versions with foolproof tips and variations.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1.5 lbs cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie works best)
1 cup orzo OR short-grain rice
3 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (2–3 lemons)
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill OR parsley, plus more for garnish
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium. Add onion, carrot, celery; cook 8 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic 1 minute.
2.
3. Pour in broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then add orzo/rice. Reduce to simmer; cook 10 minutes (orzo) or 15-20 (rice) until tender.
4.
5. Stir in shredded chicken to warm through, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat; discard bay leaves.
6.
7. In a bowl, whisk eggs until frothy. Slowly add lemon juice while whisking. Ladle 2 cups hot broth into eggs, whisking vigorously to temper (prevents curdling).
8.
9. Pour tempered sauce back into pot, stirring constantly. Heat on low 2-3 minutes until thickened (do not boil). Stir in dill, season.
10.
11. Ladle into bowls, garnish with dill, lemon slices, pepper.
Notes
Instant Pot: Sauté aromatics, add broth/chicken/orzo, Pressure High 4 min, quick release, temper off-heat.
Substitutions: Vegan (silken tofu + plant chicken), Gluten-free (rice/GF orzo), Low-carb (cauliflower rice).
Storage: Fridge 4 days, freeze 3 months. Reheat low with extra broth.
Tips: Temper slowly on damp towel. Fresh lemon only. Room-temp eggs. No boil after eggs.
Nutrition approx per 1.5-cup serving: 350 cal, 28g protein, 35g carbs (2g fiber), 12g fat, 900mg sodium.
- Prep Time: PT10M
- Cook Time: PT25M
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg