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Authentic Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Avgolemono)

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup, featuring shredded chicken, orzo pasta, and parsley.
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Follow these steps to make traditional Avgolemono, a creamy Greek lemon and egg soup, ensuring the sauce does not curdle.

Ingredients

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  • 6 cups flavorful chicken broth
  • 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup orzo pasta or rice
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Add the orzo or rice to the simmering broth. Cook according to package directions until tender, usually 8 to 10 minutes for orzo.
  3. Add the shredded cooked chicken to the soup and heat through for about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting; the broth must not boil during the next steps.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously until they are light and frothy.
  5. Slowly whisk the fresh lemon juice into the eggs until fully combined.
  6. Temper the egg mixture: Ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth from the soup pot, one spoonful at a time, into the egg-lemon mixture while whisking constantly and quickly. This raises the temperature of the eggs without cooking them.
  7. Once tempered, slowly pour the entire egg-lemon mixture back into the soup pot in a thin, steady stream, stirring the soup continuously with a wooden spoon or whisk.
  8. Continue stirring gently over very low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not allow the soup to boil after adding the egg mixture, or the sauce will curdle. The soup will thicken slightly and become opaque.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For the richest broth, use homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought.
  • If the soup seems too thick after cooling slightly, stir in a little hot water or extra broth to reach your preferred consistency.
  • Use room temperature eggs for the best tempering results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/greek-lemon-chicken-soup-avgolemono-recipe/