Description
Greek Lemon Rice Soup, or Avgolemono, is a comforting Greek dish made with tender rice, rich chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and creamy eggs. This light yet hearty soup can be customized with chicken or orzo, making it perfect for cozy meals or special occasions.
Ingredients
2 qt Chicken broth
⅔ cup Long Grain Rice
½ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
3 large Eggs
1 cup Shredded Chicken (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Broth and Rice
In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice and reduce the heat to simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the broth has absorbed some of the rice’s starch.Make the Avgolemono Sauce
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and fresh lemon juice until smooth. Slowly add about 1 cup of the hot broth to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to gradually raise the temperature of the eggs (tempering).Combine and Thicken
Slowly pour the egg-lemon mixture back into the pot with the rice and broth while stirring continuously. Keep stirring until the soup thickens and becomes creamy.Optional Add-in: Shredded Chicken
If you prefer a heartier soup, add shredded chicken to the pot and stir until heated through. This step is optional, but it adds a lovely protein boost.Taste and Adjust
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning, adding more lemon juice or salt as needed. If you prefer a more tangy flavor, you can add a little more fresh lemon juice.Serve
Serve your Greek Lemon Rice Soup Recipe hot, garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or dill if desired. Pair with a light Greek salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
Substitute for Rice: You can use orzo instead of long-grain rice if you prefer a different texture. Just use an equal amount of orzo and adjust cooking time accordingly.
Vegetarian Version: Omit the chicken and use vegetable broth to make a vegetarian version of this soup.
Freezing: While the texture may slightly change after freezing, you can freeze Avgolemono for up to 3 months. When reheating, do so gently over low heat to avoid curdling the eggs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek