Greek Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup (Avgolemono)
- Serves: 6-8
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Cook time: 60 mins
A comforting Greek chicken soup with tender shredded chicken, soft rice and a creamy egg and lemon broth, finished with fresh dill and cracked black pepper.
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Gluten Free
- Lunch
- Soup
Ingredients
- Soup
- 8 chicken drumsticks, preferably free-range
- 3½ litres water, plus extra boiling water if needed
- 1 cup short or medium-grain rice, rinsed until the water runs clear and drained
- 1 tablespoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, optional
- Extra dill, cracked black pepper and olive oil to serve
- Egg and Lemon sauce
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon cornflour
- 1 cup warm chicken broth reserved from the soup
Method
- Place the chicken drumsticks and water in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and gently simmer for approximately 45 minutes, skimming away any foam from the surface.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skin and bones, then roughly shred the meat.
- If necessary, strain the chicken broth before returning it to the saucepan. Add the rice, salt, white pepper and butter.
- Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is very soft and has begun to thicken the soup. Add a little boiling water if it becomes too thick.
- Return the shredded chicken to the saucepan and warm it through. Reduce the heat to its lowest setting.
- To make the egg and lemon sauce, whisk the egg in a bowl until light and frothy. Whisk in the lemon juice and cornflour until smooth.
- While whisking continuously, slowly add one cup of the warm broth to the egg mixture. Add it gradually so the egg warms without scrambling.
- Remove the soup from the heat. Slowly pour in the egg and lemon mixture while gently stirring the soup.
- Add the chopped dill and taste. Adjust the salt, pepper and lemon juice as needed.
- Serve with fresh dill, cracked black pepper and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Important: Don’t allow the soup to boil after adding the egg and lemon mixture, or it may split. It will also thicken considerably as it stands.
By: Chrissy Rob Foodie