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Authentic Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) with Orzo

A close-up of creamy lemon chicken soup with shredded chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh parsley garnish.
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Make this comforting and bright Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, Avgolemono, featuring tender chicken, orzo, and a creamy, tangy lemon-egg broth. This recipe delivers authentic Mediterranean flavor for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup long-grain white rice (optional substitute for orzo)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken and chicken broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Keep the broth simmering gently.
  3. Add the orzo pasta (or rice) to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions until tender, usually 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. While the orzo cooks, shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Set the chicken aside.
  5. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously until they are light and frothy. Slowly whisk in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. This is your avgolemono mixture.
  6. Temper the egg mixture: Remove about 1 cup of the hot broth from the pot and slowly drizzle it into the egg mixture while whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
  7. Reduce the heat under the soup pot to low. Slowly pour the tempered egg-lemon mixture back into the soup pot in a steady stream, stirring constantly. Do not let the soup boil after adding the egg mixture, or it may curdle. Heat gently until the soup thickens slightly.
  8. Return the shredded chicken to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  9. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • If you prefer a lighter soup, you can skip the orzo and use more shredded chicken.
  • For a quicker preparation, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
  • This soup is naturally gluten-free if you substitute the orzo with rice or skip the grain entirely.
  • If you are planning meals for the week, this soup pairs well with a simple keto meal plan for variety.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/lemon-chicken-soup-avgolemono-recipe/