Comforting Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe For Winter

When winter winds howl, a steaming bowl of lemon chicken & rice soup brings instant comfort.

Packed with tender chicken and zesty citrus notes, this hearty soup warms you from the inside out.

Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of bright, tangy flavors and rich, satisfying broth.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste that soothes and nourishes.

The recipe combines simple, wholesome components into a bowl of pure culinary magic.

Fragrant herbs and a squeeze of fresh lemon elevate this classic soup into a meal that feels like a warm embrace.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let its soul-warming goodness chase away the winter chill.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup – Ingredients Guide

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing and building deep flavor layers.
• Onion: Adds sweet, subtle depth and creates aromatic base for the soup's foundation.
• Garlic: Infuses intense, warm flavor and provides robust aromatic character.

• Chicken Broth: Creates hearty, comforting liquid base with rich, savory undertones.
• Arborio Rice: Delivers creamy, luxurious texture and helps thicken the soup naturally.
• Thyme: Introduces earthy, herbal notes that complement chicken beautifully.
• Oregano: Contributes warm, slightly peppery background flavor profile.

• Chicken: Provides lean, tender protein that makes the soup substantial and satisfying.
• Eggs: Creates silky, luxurious texture and helps thicken soup with gentle creaminess.
• Egg Yolks: Adds rich, golden color and enhances smooth, velvety consistency.
• Lemon Zest: Brightens overall flavor with fresh, zesty citrus essence.
• Lemon Juice: Balances richness with tangy, vibrant acidic touch.

• Parsley: Adds fresh, green vibrance and light herbaceous finish.
• Dill: Introduces delicate, wispy herbal brightness.
• Aleppo Pepper: Sprinkles mild, fruity heat with subtle complexity.
• Salt: Enhances and harmonizes all underlying flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle, warming spiciness.

Tools for Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the soup, with enough space to simmer ingredients.
• Blender: Helps create a smooth, creamy texture for the lemon-egg mixture.
• Whisk: Perfect for mixing eggs, lemon zest, and juice without lumps.
• Large bowl: Needed for preparing the lemon-egg mixture before blending.
• Cutting board: For chopping onions, garlic, and herbs.
• Chef's knife: Sharp tool for dicing and chopping ingredients precisely.
• Ladle: Helps serve the soup evenly into bowls.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate liquid and ingredient measurements.

Making Cozy Chicken & Rice Soup with Lemon

• Aromatic Base

Warm olive oil in a spacious pot, gently sautéing onions until they become soft and translucent. Add garlic and let the kitchen fill with its delightful fragrance.

• Rice and Broth Fusion

Introduce arborio rice, chicken broth, and herbs into the pot. Allow these ingredients to mingle and simmer, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.

• Silky Egg Transformation

Whisk eggs with bright lemon zest and tangy juice in a separate bowl. Carefully incorporate warm broth into the egg mixture, creating a luxurious, velvety texture.

• Creamy Soup Finale

Blend the egg mixture until smooth, then reunite it with the soup. Fold in tender shredded chicken and season with salt and pepper. Warm gently without boiling.

• Elegant Presentation

Serve the soup in inviting bowls, adorning with fresh parsley, delicate dill, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper for a vibrant finish that awakens the senses.

Tips to Add Brightness to Chicken & Rice Soup

• Replace chicken with shredded turkey or rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy protein alternative.
• Add a splash of heavy cream or Greek yogurt at the end for an extra luxurious and velvety soup base.
• Introduce heat with red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a dash of hot sauce to give the soup a warming kick.
• Transform the recipe into a vegetarian delight by using vegetable broth and replacing chicken with roasted chickpeas or tofu cubes.

Serving This Cozy Lemon Chicken Soup

• Comforting Family Dinner: Gather loved ones around the table and enjoy this hearty soup as a complete meal with crusty bread on the side for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.
• Bright Mediterranean Spread: Create a Mediterranean-inspired feast by serving the soup alongside a fresh Greek salad, olives, and feta cheese to complement the lemony flavors.
• Wellness Bowl Transformation: Transform leftovers into a nourishing wellness bowl by adding extra roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and spinach for added nutrition and color.
• Cozy Winter Pairing: Pair the soup with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the bright lemon notes and create a warming winter dining experience.

Storing Leftover Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Soup Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Haven: Store leftover soup in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal taste and texture.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Carefully freeze soup without egg mixture for best results. Portion into freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Freeze up to 2 months.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw frozen soup in refrigerator overnight. Gently reheat on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add fresh lemon juice after warming to brighten flavors.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare chicken and rice separately to extend soup's freshness. Store components individually in sealed containers for flexible meal planning throughout the week.

Comforting Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Heartwarming Mediterranean-style lemon chicken & rice soup delivers comforting flavors from Greece. Nourishing ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-warming meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 cups (1.9 L) chicken broth or bone broth
• 1.5 cups (360 mL) arborio rice, uncooked
• 0.75 lb (340 g) cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded
• 0.5 cup (120 mL) lemon juice
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks
• 2–3 tbsps olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, mashed
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp sea salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Chopped parsley
• Aleppo pepper
• Fresh or dried dill

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Instructions

1. Sauté Foundation: In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium heat and gently sauté diced onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic to release its aromatic essence.
2. Rice and Broth Infusion: Add arborio rice, chicken broth, thyme, and oregano to the pot, reducing heat to low and simmering until rice becomes tender and absorbs the flavorful liquid.
3. Egg Mixture Preparation: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon juice into a silky, smooth consistency, carefully tempering the mixture by gradually incorporating hot soup broth while whisking continuously.
4. Soup Harmonization: Transfer the egg blend to a blender, processing until completely smooth, then reintroduce the mixture back into the main soup pot, stirring gently to integrate and folding in shredded chicken.
5. Seasoning and Finishing: Warm the soup gently below boiling point, season with salt and pepper, and ladle into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley, dill, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper for a vibrant, zesty touch.

Notes

• Prevent Egg Curdling: Slowly temper eggs by adding hot broth gradually while whisking to create a smooth, silky texture without scrambling.
• Rice Selection Matters: Choose arborio rice for its creamy, starchy quality that helps thicken the soup and provides a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Low and Slow Cooking: Maintain a gentle simmer to ensure rice cooks evenly and chicken remains tender without becoming tough or dry.
• Flavor Layering Technique: Build depth by sautéing onions and garlic first, then introducing herbs and allowing them to bloom before adding remaining ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg