Description
Avgolemono is a classic Greek comfort soup known for its vibrant, citrusy profile and velvety smooth texture. By tempering egg yolks with hot chicken broth, this recipe achieves a luxurious mouthfeel without any dairy. It is a nourishing, fast-to-prepare meal that is perfect for chilly evenings, utilizing accessible pantry staples like rotisserie chicken and cooked rice to bring restaurant-quality elegance to your home kitchen in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced finely
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Zest of 2 lemons
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
1 bay leaf
3 cups cooked chicken thighs, shredded
2 cups cooked long grain rice
3 large egg yolks
Juice of 2 lemons
Fresh parsley, dill, or scallions, for garnish
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add onion and celery, sautéing until soft and translucent.
Stir in garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken stock and add the bay leaf; bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the shredded chicken and cooked rice, simmering for 5-10 minutes to heat through.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice together until smooth and pale.
Slowly ladle about 1 cup of the hot broth into the egg-lemon mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
Gradually stir the tempered mixture back into the soup pot over low heat, stirring gently until the broth thickens slightly.
Remove from heat immediately, discard the bay leaf, and serve garnished with fresh herbs.
Notes
Ensure you add the hot stock to the eggs slowly to prevent them from scrambling. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, though the rice may absorb more liquid; add a splash of stock when reheating.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 115mg