Sunshine in a Bowl Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Avgolemono
Sunshine in a Bowl: Your Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Awaits
Ever craved a hug in a bowl? Honestly, this Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup , or avgolemono soup recipe , is exactly that.
It’s like sunshine decided to take up residence in your soup spoon. You know? And this lemon chicken soup recipe is so easy, even I can’t mess it up.
What's the Deal with Avgolemono?
This Greek chicken soup is a traditional dish, deeply rooted in Greek culture. For centuries, families have enjoyed it. It's more than just food, it's comfort.
I mean who doesn't love easy avgolemono soup ? It's a bowl of pure joy! This creamy lemon chicken soup is ready in about an hour, serves 6-8, and is totally worth it.
Why You Need This in Your Life
Beyond being delicious, this mediterranean chicken soup is packed with goodness! Chicken and broth are brilliant for fighting off colds! My grandma always made it for me.
This is truly chicken soup for a cold . And honestly, that’s reason enough to try it. What sets this avgolemono recipe apart? We use loads of fresh lemon for that extra zing! It's the best comfort food soup recipe .
Right, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup , also known as avgolemono soup .
It's proper lush, this soup. Honestly, it is a bit of a hug in a bowl. I mean who doesn't love a good greek chicken soup ? You can even name it creamy lemon chicken soup if you want.
Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Main Ingredients for this Avgolemono Recipe
Okay, here’s the lowdown on what you'll need. We're making a batch that'll feed about 6-8 people, perfect for a family dinner or batch cooking. Let's start with the soup.
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (US & Metric) Any will do, but I like a nice extra virgin for flavour.
- Yellow onion: 1 medium , chopped (US & Metric) Brown onions are alright too
- Carrots: 2 medium , peeled and chopped (US & Metric) Adds a bit of sweetness, innit?
- Celery: 2 stalks , chopped (US & Metric)
- Garlic: 4 cloves , minced (US & Metric) Don’t skimp on the garlic! It adds a punch.
- Chicken broth: 8 cups (1.9 liters) Shop bought is fine, but homemade is ace if you’ve got some.
- Chicken breasts: 1.5 pounds (680g), boneless, skinless Free range if you can.
- Long grain rice: 1 cup (200g), rinsed Rinsing gets rid of extra starch.
- Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon (US & Metric)
- Dried thyme: 1/2 teaspoon (US & Metric)
- Salt and pepper: To taste (US & Metric) Seasoning is key.
Now, for the important bit. This is the special lemon egg sauce (Avgolemono):
- Eggs: 3 large (US & Metric) Free range again, if possible.
- Fresh lemon juice: 1/2 cup (120ml) Roughly from 3-4 lemons. Seriously, use fresh lemon juice! It makes all the difference.
- Fresh parsley: 1/4 cup , chopped, for garnish (US & Metric)
- Lemon wedges: For serving (US & Metric)
Seasoning Notes for Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
The oregano and thyme give it that Mediterranean vibe. Don't be shy with the lemon juice. It is what makes it greek lemon chicken soup , you know? For a bit of extra oomph, a pinch of red pepper flakes works wonders.
If you're feeling poorly, this is the perfect chicken soup for a cold , just add more garlic. This is great comfort food soup recipes .
Equipment Needed for this Easy Avgolemono Soup
Honestly, you don’t need much. Just the basics will do.
- Large stockpot or Dutch oven Anything big enough to hold all the soup.
- Whisk For the avgolemono sauce.
- Ladle For serving up.
- Cutting board and Chef’s knife For prepping the veggies.
- Measuring cups and spoons To get the measurements spot on.
If you don’t have a whisk, a fork will do in a pinch. A big pan can be used as a cutting board. I've been there!
Sunshine in a Bowl: Cooking Up Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Oh my gosh, are you ready for this? We're diving headfirst into the delicious world of Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup ! Honestly, this isn't just any soup; it's like a warm hug on a chilly day.
It’s basically a bowl of sunshine. It’s that perfect bowl of comfort food soup recipes that will make you feel great again when feeling a bit under the weather.
It's a classic, souped-up with extra zing that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean. Plus, it is very easy to make a delicious easy avgolemono soup and that is why it's one of my favorite mediterranean chicken soup .
I think you gonna love this avgolemono recipe !
Did you know that greek chicken soup , also known as avgolemono soup recipe , is a traditional dish often served during Easter celebrations? It's packed with flavor and good for you!
Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission
First things first, let's get our ducks in a row. We need all our ingredients prepped and ready to go.
This is called "mise en place," and trust me, it’s a game changer. Chop your onion, carrots, celery, mince that garlic, and rinse your rice.
Also, squeeze your lemons! Fresh lemon juice is the KEY , seriously. No bottled stuff allowed! It’s like the secret ingredient that elevates the entire lemon chicken soup recipe .
For safety, make sure you have a stable cutting board. We don't want any finger mishaps!
step-by-step Process: From Humble Beginnings to Soup Stardom
Alright, here we go!
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened. Then, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Pour in 8 cups of chicken broth. Add 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts, 1 cup rinsed rice, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until chicken reaches 165° F ( 74° C) . That’s the magic number for safe chicken.
- Remove chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot.
- Whisk 3 large eggs until frothy. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- Temper the eggs by slowly ladling in about 1 cup of hot broth, whisking constantly. Repeat once.
- Slowly pour the egg mixture into the soup, stirring constantly. Simmer on low until slightly thickened but do NOT boil .
- Garnish with 1/4 cup parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Soup Game
Want to take your creamy lemon chicken soup to the next level? Here's the skinny. Tempering the eggs is crucial.
If you skip this step, you'll end up with scrambled eggs in your soup which is not great. Also, don't boil the soup after adding the egg mixture or again, scrambled eggs! If you are making this for a chicken soup for a cold , add some ginger.
Now, I personally think it's also a great way to get rid of the last symptoms. You know?
Recipe Notes for the Perfect Bowl of Comfort
Alright, mate! Let's talk about the nitty gritty of nailing this Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup , a.k.a avgolemono soup recipe .
It's proper lush, honestly, once you get the hang of it. Think comfort food soup recipes that warms you from the inside out! Trust me, you'll feel like you are sunning yourself in Santorini.
Serving Suggestions: Plating like a Pro
You know, presentation does matter! For this greek lemon chicken soup , serve it in a nice, deep bowl. A swirl of good olive oil on top looks proper fancy.
And a sprinkle of fresh parsley? Chef's kiss! Crusty bread on the side is a must perfect for mopping up every last bit of that amazing broth.
As for drinks, a chilled glass of dry white wine works a treat, or even just a sparkling water with a lemon slice!
Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh
Leftover easy avgolemono soup ? No worries! Pop it in an airtight container and it'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The lemon might get a bit stronger, but that's not a bad thing, eh? Honestly, I wouldn't recommend freezing it.
The egg in the avgolemono recipe can get a bit weird after thawing. Reheating is a doddle. Just gently warm it on the hob over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Don't let it boil, yeah?
Variations: Make it Your Own, innit!
Fancy a bit of a tweak? For a vegetarian mediterranean chicken soup , swap the chicken broth for veggie broth.
Then, chuck in some chickpeas for protein! If you're avoiding grains, cauliflower rice works a treat instead of regular rice.
For a super creamy lemon chicken soup , stir in a dollop of Greek yogurt after you've taken it off the heat.
Oh my gosh! It's so good.
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl
This greek chicken soup is packed with good stuff! It is roughly 250 calories per serving, 25g of protein, 10g of fat and 15g of carbohydrates.
The chicken provides a good dose of protein. The lemon gives you a vitamin C boost, perfect as a chicken soup for a cold .
And the herbs? They're full of antioxidants! It's basically sunshine in a bowl that's also good for you!
So there you have it! A few extra tips to make your lemon chicken soup recipe absolutely spot on. Now go on, get cooking and enjoy that sunshine in a bowl! You got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup different from regular chicken soup?
Well, think of it as your average chicken soup going on holiday to Greece! While both are comforting, this Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup gets its unique flavour from the addition of lemon and eggs, creating a creamy, tangy broth known as Avgolemono.
The herbs and fresh lemon juice deliver a bright, sunshine-y flavour, unlike the more savoury profile of a traditional chicken soup.
Help! My soup curdled. What did I do wrong?
Ah, the dreaded curdling! This usually happens when the egg mixture wasn't properly tempered, or the soup was boiled after adding the Avgolemono. Tempering the eggs means gradually warming them with hot broth before adding them to the pot, preventing them from scrambling.
Also, remember that low and slow is key, after adding the Avgolemono, keep the soup at a simmer, not a boil.
Can I make Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup ahead of time?
You can, but with a slight caveat! The soup base (everything before adding the Avgolemono) can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. However, it's best to make the lemon egg sauce and add it right before serving, as the texture can change upon reheating.
So, channel your inner Blue Peter presenter and prep in advance, but do the final flourish just before showtime!
I'm not a big fan of rice. Can I substitute it with something else in this recipe for Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup?
Absolutely! Orzo pasta or ditalini pasta are excellent substitutes for rice, adding a similar texture and heartiness to the soup. For a grain free option, you could also use cauliflower rice. The cooking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on it and adjust as needed no one wants a soggy soup, right?
How long does Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup last, and what's the best way to store leftovers?
Leftover Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep in mind that the texture of the soup might change slightly as the rice absorbs more liquid. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, and don't let it boil.
Is Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Soup healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?
You bet! This soup is packed with protein from the chicken, vitamins from the vegetables, and a healthy dose of Vitamin C from the lemon. It's relatively low in fat and a great source of hydration, making it a comforting and nutritious meal, especially when you're feeling a bit under the weather.
Think of it as a hug in a bowl that's also good for you!
Sunshine In A Bowl Zesty Greek Lemon Chicken Sou
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 250 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 10g |
| Fiber | 0g |
