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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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