Description
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is a clear, flavorful, and silky soup inspired by Greek Avgolemono. Tender poached chicken, al dente orzo, and a lemon-egg emulsion create a velvety, restaurant-quality soup perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup orzo pasta
3 large eggs
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Poach the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper, and brown skin-side down for 5-7 minutes. Flip and cook 2 more minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
2. Build the broth base: Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté 6-8 minutes until translucent. Add garlic for 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth and bay leaves. Return chicken to pot.
3. Gently simmer: Maintain a very gentle simmer (180-190°F / 82-88°C) for 25-30 minutes until chicken is tender.
4. Shred and cook orzo: Remove chicken, discard skin and bones. Add orzo to broth and cook 7-9 minutes until al dente. Shred chicken meat.
5. Temper the avgolemono sauce: Whisk eggs until frothy, slowly stream in lemon juice. Gradually ladle 2 cups hot broth into egg-lemon mixture, whisking constantly.
6. Finish the soup: Remove pot from heat. Slowly add tempered egg-lemon mixture, stirring constantly. Add shredded chicken and dill. Season to taste and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not let the soup boil after adding the egg-lemon sauce to prevent curdling.
Use a digital thermometer to maintain poaching temperature between 180-190°F (82-88°C) for tender chicken and clear broth.
Cook orzo separately if storing leftovers to prevent soggy pasta.
For best flavor, use fresh dill and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup, Dinner, Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop, Poaching
- Cuisine: Greek-Inspired, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg