Avgolemono Soup

Greek avgolemono soup is a rich and silky chicken and rice soup flavored with lemon and enriched with eggs. Chef John's recipe makes this epic soup from scratch.

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Prep Time 25

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Greek

Calories: 685

Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients

1 3 pound whole chicken
1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 teaspoons salt, or more to taste
0.25 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
3 quarts cold water
2 cups finely diced onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
0.66666668653488 cup arborio rice, or more to taste
2 large eggs
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
0.5 cup fresh lemon juice

Method

Gather all ingredients.
Place chicken, 1 chopped onion, celery, carrot, bay leaves, salt, and oregano in a large pot. Pour water over the top; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, skimming foam as necessary, until chicken is falling off the bone, 60 to 90 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
Transfer chicken to a large bowl to cool. Strain all vegetables from simmering broth, discard vegetables, and return broth to the pot.
Chop chicken meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
Combine 2 cups diced onion, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion mixture until onion is soft, sweet, and golden, 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir onion mixture into broth in the pot and set over medium-low heat; add Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is very tender and broth flavors combine, about 45 minutes.
Whisk together eggs, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl; whisk in lemon juice until combined. Slowly pour 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly.
Whisk another 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, then pour egg mixture into the pot. Stir well.
Add chopped chicken and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.
Serve hot and enjoy!