After you’ve had this creamy, silky, rich and lemony chicken rice soup with a bright, tangy flavor, you’ll never open a can again. It’s simple to make and ready in under 30 minutes.
AVGOLEMONOA aka GREEK LEMON CHICKEN RICE SOUP adapted from The Mediterranean Dish and several scrap recipes from antique boxes. Total Time: 35 minutes – serves 6
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
3 LARGE carrots, FINELY chopped carrots
3 stalks celery, FINELY chopped celery
1 LARGE bunch FINELY chopped green onions
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped Lemon Thyme
2-4 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
7 cups homemade chicken broth
1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon ground leaves
1/2 cup short grain rice
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast pieces, shredded
1/2 cup FRESH squeezed lemon juice (2 LARGE lemons)
1 lemon, sliced
2 LARGE eggs
Chopped FRESH parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil on medium-high.
- Add the carrots, celery and green onions, toss together to saute briefly then stir in the garlic.
- Add the broth, water, paprika, lemon thyme and bay leaf seasoning and bring to a boil.
- Once the liquid has come to a rolling boil, add the rice, lemon slices, salt and pepper.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Add chicken and simmer 5 minutes more.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and eggs.
- While whisking, GRADUALLY add 2 ladles of the broth from the cooking pot to temper the eggs. Once fully combined.
- Add the sauce to the chicken soup and stir until well blended.
- Remove from heat immediately so eggs don’t curdle.
- Adjust seasonings, to taste.
- Discard lemon slices.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if you like.
- Serve hot with your favorite crusty bread.
- Enjoy!
NOTES:
Be sure to rinse the rice well. It also helps to soak the rice in water for about 15 minutes or so before draining and adding to soup. Orzo can be substituted, but requires only about 7 minutes cooking time, adjust accordingly.
