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A close-up, top-down view of a bowl of creamy avgolemono soup, showing the silky texture of the broth with chicken and orzo.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (Authentic Avgolemono)

This authentic Greek Lemon Chicken Soup recipe (Avgolemono) is the ultimate comfort food. Learn the foolproof method to create a silky, creamy, and tangy soup that's packed with tender chicken and orzo, and guaranteed never to curdle.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 8 cups chicken broth low-sodium
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 3 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice from 2-3 lemons
  • 0.25 cup fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Ladle

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, combine chicken broth, chicken breasts, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and shred it.
  2. Return the broth to a simmer. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs until frothy and pale. While still whisking, slowly stream in the lemon juice.
  4. Continue whisking the egg mixture while slowly ladling in about 2 cups of the hot broth from the pot. Do this very gradually to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  5. Reduce the heat of the soup to low. Slowly pour the tempered egg mixture back into the pot, stirring constantly. Add the shredded chicken back to the pot.
  6. Continue stirring gently over low heat for 2-3 minutes until the soup thickens. Do not let it boil. Stir in the fresh dill, taste and adjust seasoning, then serve immediately.

Notes

Do Not Boil: Once the egg mixture is added, boiling the soup will cause it to curdle. Reheat leftovers gently over low heat.
Fresh is Best: Use fresh lemon juice and fresh dill for the most authentic and vibrant flavor.