Go Back
Bowl of Avgolemono, Greek lemon chicken soup garnished with lemon and herbs

Avgolemono

Avgolemono is a comforting Greek lemon chicken soup featuring tender chicken, silky broth, and bright lemon flavor, perfect for cozy dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast Use boneless skinless chicken breasts for quick baking and easy shredding.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil Provides a light, fruity base.
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Soup
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 to 5 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 leaf bay leaf
  • ½ cup dry orzo Small pasta that cooks quickly.
  • 2 large egg yolks Create the creamy emulsion.
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice Fresh is essential for bright acidity.
  • A handful fresh chopped dill or parsley, for garnish
  • Crumbled feta cheese, for garnish Add as desired.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, olive oil, dried oregano, kosher salt, sweet paprika, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken.
  2. Transfer chicken to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 18 to 25 minutes, or until internal temperature is 165°F. Let the chicken cool slightly on a cutting board before using a fork to shred the chicken into thin pieces. Set aside.
Cooking the Soup
  1. In a Dutch oven or large pot, add the olive oil (or butter if using), onions, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 5 to 8 minutes, until the veggies are tender. Add the minced garlic and let cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring often.
  2. Add the broth, salt, a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper, the bay leaf, and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir in the orzo and simmer on medium-low for 8 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
Emulsifying the Soup
  1. Add the egg yolks to a large bowl. Whisk for 30 seconds until the egg yolks are uniform in color. Add the lemon juice and continue whisking until combined and foamy.
  2. While whisking constantly, use a ladle or measuring cup to slowly stream about 2 cups (or 2 ladles) of the warm soup broth into the egg-lemon mixture. I recommend pouring the warm liquid with your non-dominant hand so you can continue whisking with your stronger hand.
  3. Whisk for 1 minute to temper the eggs. This helps to warm the eggs so they won’t curdle when added to the hot soup.
  4. Slowly pour the egg-lemon mixture back into the pot, while stirring the soup constantly.
Final Steps
  1. Add the shredded chicken and continue to stir the soup for 3 to 5 minutes with the heat on the lowest setting. The soup will thicken slightly. DO NOT let the soup come to a boil.
  2. Serve each bowl garnished with fresh chopped dill or parsley and a little crumbled feta cheese if desired.

Notes

For best texture, store orzo slightly undercooked and add final egg-lemon emulsion just before serving. Keep shredded chicken separate to prevent it from drying out in the fridge.