Description
Comforting Greek avgolemono soup blends tender chicken, silky egg-lemon sauce, and delicate rice for a hearty Mediterranean classic. Warm bowls of this traditional recipe invite home cooks to savor Greece’s nostalgic culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 350 g total)
- 6 cups (1.5 L) chicken stock
- ¾ cup (175 g) orzo
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2–3 celery stalks, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 handful of fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 egg yolks
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large stockpot, heat olive oil and cook diced onion, carrot, and celery until softened and translucent, releasing their subtle flavors.
- Create Broth Base: Add minced garlic, bay leaves, whole chicken breasts, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the ingredients to meld together for 15 minutes.
- Prepare Pasta and Protein: Remove chicken breasts and bay leaves. Introduce orzo to the broth, cooking until tender. Shred chicken using two forks and return to the pot.
- Temper the Egg Mixture: Whisk egg yolks with lemon juice in a separate bowl. Gradually incorporate hot broth into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Slowly pour the tempered mixture back into the soup, stirring carefully.
- Final Seasoning and Finishing: Stir in freshly chopped dill, salt, and pepper. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to harmonize the flavors and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into serving bowls, adorning with additional dill fronds. Present immediately while steaming hot, capturing the essence of traditional Greek comfort cuisine.
Notes
- Prevent Curdling: Slowly add hot broth to egg mixture while whisking constantly to ensure smooth, silky texture without scrambled eggs.
- Chicken Selection: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for tender, easy-to-shred meat that absorbs soup’s rich flavors perfectly.
- Orzo Timing: Cook orzo precisely 10 minutes to maintain ideal al dente texture, preventing mushy or undercooked pasta.
- Herb Freshness: Add dill just before serving to preserve its bright, crisp flavor and vibrant green color, enhancing the soup’s aromatic profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg