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Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)

Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)

A comforting Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono) made with tender chicken, kale, and a tangy lemon egg mixture for a creamy finish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6 servings
Calories 310 kcal

Equipment

  • large saucepan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound 2 ounces skinless chicken thighs on the bone
  • ½ small white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 pieces bay leaves
  • 3 ¼ cups chicken stock
  • 4 cups just-boiled water, divided
  • scant ½ cup short or medium-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 ½ ounces kale, stalks removed, leaves shredded
  • 3 extra large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated unwaxed lemon zest
  • 6 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped dill, or to taste
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt
  • black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cook the chicken: Place the chicken, onion, garlic, celery, carrot, cinnamon, turmeric, bay leaves, stock, and 2 cups (480 ml) hot water in a large saucepan. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked.
  • Remove the chicken, then shred and cook rice: Spoon out the bay leaves and chicken and set aside on a plate to cool. Add the rice to the soup with remaining 2 cups (480ml) hot water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, use your hands to shred the chicken meat from the bones into very small pieces.
  • Cook the kale and return chicken to pot: After the rice has cooked, add the kale and return the chicken to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes, then take off the heat.
  • Whisk the eggs: In a separate medium sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice until the mixture is foamy with no streaks remaining.
  • Temper the eggs: Pour 2 ladles of broth from the saucepan into a cup. Then grab a whisk and slowly add this broth to the bowl of lemony eggs, a couple of tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly.
  • Thicken soup: Return the pot to low heat, add the dill, and cook for 5 minutes to allow the soup to thicken. Don’t let it come up to more than a gentle simmer, and if it starts to look a bit too thick, simply loosen it with a bit of hot water.
  • Finish soup and serve: Finally, taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a bit more lemon juice, herbs, salt, or black pepper to taste. Serve in warmed bowls with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 310kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 29gFat: 12g
Keyword avgolemono, chicken soup, Comfort Food, Family Dinners, lemon chicken soup, Winter Soups
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