The Heartiest Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe for Cozy Nights

Avgolemono, a soul-warming Greek lemon chicken soup, beckons with its velvety texture and vibrant citrus notes.

Mediterranean culinary traditions shine through this comforting dish that balances tangy brightness with hearty protein.

Creamy whisked eggs revolutionize ordinary broth into a luxurious symphony of flavors, creating a silky base that hugs each tender chicken morsel.

Bright lemon zest dances across the palate, cutting through rich undertones with elegant simplicity.

Home cooks appreciate how this soup embodies rustic elegance and nurturing warmth in every spoonful.

Delicate yet robust, the recipe speaks to generations of family cooking techniques passed down through intimate kitchen conversations.

The harmonious blend of ingredients promises a nutritious meal that soothes both body and spirit.

Great Sips and Bites That Pair with Lemon Soup

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enhance the bright, lemony flavors of the Greek chicken soup with a zesty Assyrtiko from Santorini or a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc. These wines complement the soup's tangy notes and cut through its creamy texture.
• Serve with Herbed Pita Bread: Accompany the soup with warm, freshly toasted pita bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with dried oregano. The bread provides a perfect vehicle for soaking up the rich, lemony broth and adds a delightful Mediterranean touch.
• Create a Side Greek Salad: Complement the soup with a classic Greek salad featuring crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. The fresh, light salad balances the hearty soup and adds a vibrant burst of flavor to the meal.
• Finish with Citrus Sorbet: End the dining experience with a light, palate-cleansing lemon or orange sorbet. This refreshing dessert echoes the soup's citrusy profile and provides a clean, cool finish to the meal.

Creative Versions of This Greek Chicken Soup

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace dill with a blend of fresh oregano, parsley, and mint for an aromatic Mediterranean herb profile that elevates the soup's flavor complexity.
• Protein Power Upgrade: Swap chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken or add shredded turkey for a protein-rich alternative that maintains the soup's creamy texture.
• Veggie Transformation: Incorporate diced zucchini, spinach, or roasted red peppers to boost nutritional value and add vibrant color to the traditional recipe.
• Spicy Greek Kick: Introduce red pepper flakes or a dash of harissa paste to give the soup a warming, spicy undertone that complements the lemony brightness.

Why Greek Lemon Soup Comforts Every Time

• Zesty Flavor Explosion: Bright, tangy lemon and fresh dill create a vibrant taste profile that awakens every single taste bud with a Mediterranean-inspired punch.
• Comfort Meets Elegance: This soup brilliantly balances hearty chicken and delicate orzo, delivering a rich, creamy texture that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.
• Effortless Cooking Adventure: With simple steps and basic ingredients, home cooks can easily master this restaurant-quality soup in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing weekend guests.
• Nutritious One-Pot Wonder: Packed with protein, vegetables, and bright herbs, this soup offers a complete meal that's both wholesome and satisfying, requiring minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.

What Goes Into Authentic Avgolemono Soup

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main flavor and substance of the soup, choose fresh and boneless for easy preparation.
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid base that creates depth of flavor and adds essential chicken essence to the soup.

• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Classic soup vegetable trio that builds a robust flavor foundation, select fresh and crisp vegetables for best results.
• Garlic Cloves: Adds sharp and warm flavor profile, enhances overall soup complexity.
• Bay Leaves: Provides subtle herbal undertone and depth to the soup's overall taste.

• Orzo: Small pasta that adds texture and heartiness to the soup, helps create a more substantial dish.
• Egg Yolks: Creamy thickening agent that gives the soup a silky and luxurious consistency.
• Lemon Juice: Bright and tangy element that provides signature Greek soup flavor, balances the richness of other ingredients.
• Fresh Dill: Delicate herb that adds fresh, aromatic finish to the soup.
• Olive Oil: Base for sautéing vegetables, adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all flavors in the soup.

How to Make This Zesty Greek Classic

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat olive oil in a large stock pot

• Onion
• Carrot
• Celery

Cooking takes about 8-10 minutes over medium heat.

Step 2: Build Soup Base

Stir in garlic

• Bay leaves
• Whole chicken breasts
• Chicken stock

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.

Step 3: Simmer Chicken

Cover pot and let chicken cook for 15 minutes until tender.

Step 4: Prepare Pasta

Remove chicken and bay leaves

Add orzo to pot

Cook for 10 minutes until pasta is tender

Step 5: Shred Chicken

Use two forks to pull chicken into bite-sized pieces, then return to pot.

Step 6: Create Creamy Lemon Sauce

Whisk egg yolks with fresh lemon juice

Slowly add hot soup to egg mixture

Gently pour tempered mixture back into pot

Cook for additional 5 minutes

Step 7: Final Touches

Stir in fresh dill

Season with salt and pepper

Garnish with extra dill if desired

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 4

Pro Tips for Creamy, Tangy Soup Success

• Enhance Chicken Tenderness: Poach chicken breasts gently to ensure they remain moist and soft, preventing tough or rubbery texture.
• Master the Egg Tempering: Add hot soup slowly to egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent scrambling and create a silky, smooth broth.
• Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe lemons and fresh dill for maximum flavor intensity and bright, zesty notes in the soup.
• Control Orzo Cooking: Watch pasta closely during simmering to achieve perfect al dente texture without becoming mushy or overcooked.
• Balance Acid and Richness: Adjust lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to create a harmonious blend of tangy and creamy flavors without overwhelming the soup.

Keeping Leftovers Fresh Without Losing That Lemon Zing

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Pour cooled soup into freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion, and freeze up to 2 months for later enjoyment.
• Reheat: Gently warm soup in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if needed to restore original consistency, preventing separation of eggs and maintaining creamy texture.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Avgolemono soup brings Mediterranean comfort to your table with tender chicken, zesty lemon, and silky egg-enriched broth. Simple Greek ingredients create a soul-warming meal that connects you to traditional Hellenic kitchen magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts (12 ounces / 350 grams)
• 2 egg yolks

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 2–3 celery stalks, diced
• 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 handful fresh dill

Liquids, Grains, and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken stock
• ¾ cup (175 grams) orzo
• 1 lemon (juice)
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium heat, gently sautéing diced onions, carrots, and celery until they become tender and translucent, releasing their aromatic essence.
2. Introduce minced garlic and allow it to bloom for a brief moment, infusing the vegetables with its pungent flavor.
3. Add bay leaves, whole chicken pieces, and rich chicken stock to the vegetable base, creating a robust foundation for the soup.
4. Elevate the liquid to a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing the chicken to poach tenderly for approximately 15 minutes.
5. Extract the chicken and discard the bay leaves, then sprinkle orzo into the simmering broth, letting the pasta cook and absorb the delicate flavors for 10 minutes.
6. Using two forks, delicately shred the cooked chicken into rustic, bite-sized pieces and return them to the pot.
7. In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk egg yolks with bright, zesty lemon juice until the mixture becomes smooth and pale.
8. Carefully temper the egg mixture by gradually introducing warm soup liquid, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
9. Gently fold the tempered egg mixture back into the soup, allowing it to thicken and create a luxurious, silky texture.
10. Finish the soup by stirring in freshly chopped dill, and season with salt and pepper to enhance the complex flavors.
11. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and garnish with additional sprigs of dill for a fresh, aromatic touch.

Notes

• Whisk egg yolks with lemon juice carefully to prevent curdling, creating a silky smooth base that transforms the soup’s texture.
• Tempering technique is crucial for integrating the egg mixture without scrambling, ensuring a creamy and luxurious consistency throughout the soup.
• Shredding chicken by hand allows for tender, rustic pieces that blend perfectly with the orzo and provide a satisfying bite in every spoonful.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg