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Avgolemono

Creamy Avgolemono: Brighten Your Day with Greek Comfort Soup

Creamy Avgolemono is a heartwarming Greek soup that combines wholesome ingredients and zesty lemon for a delightful meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Soup Base
  • 1 tablespoon Butter Optional: substitute with ghee for lactose-free.
  • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil Use any light oil if preferred.
  • 1 medium Onion, finely diced Essential for the aromatic base; no substitution recommended.
  • 2 medium Carrots, peeled and diced small Can be replaced with parsnips.
  • 4 cloves Garlic, finely minced Fresh preferred; garlic powder can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Rosemary, finely chopped Substitute with thyme or oregano if unavailable.
  • 10 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth Can be replaced with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
  • 1.5 teaspoons Kosher Salt Adjust according to taste.
For the Pasta and Protein
  • 0.75 cup Orzo Pasta Can be swapped with rice or gluten-free pasta.
  • 2 cups Shredded Chicken Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for convenience.
For the Creamy Mixture
  • 3 large Eggs Do not substitute without impacting texture.
  • 2 large Egg Yolks Essential for creating the creamy texture.
  • 3 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice Use vinegar in a pinch but flavor will differ.
  • 1 lemon Lemon Zest, finely grated Optional but recommended.
For Garnishing
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Dill, finely chopped Substitute with dried dill or thyme if needed.
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper To taste.

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • heatproof container

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Avgolemono
  1. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once melted and shimmering, add 1 medium finely diced onion and 2 peeled and diced carrots. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, then stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary, cooking for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  2. Pour in 10 cups of low sodium chicken broth and add 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt to the pot. Increase the heat to high and bring the broth to a rolling boil. Once boiling, stir in ¾ cup of orzo pasta, cooking for 8-10 minutes until tender, monitoring closely to prevent overcooking.
  3. While the broth simmers, take a separate heatproof container and whisk together 3 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, and 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is well combined and slightly frothy.
  4. Once the orzo is cooked, slowly ladle about 2 cups of the hot broth into the egg mixture while whisking continuously. This gradual incorporation is key to achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
  5. Return the pot with the remaining broth to low heat. Slowly stir in the tempered egg mixture, cooking gently for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently.
  6. Add 2 cups of shredded chicken, ¼ cup of finely chopped fresh dill, and the zest of 1 lemon to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients, adjusting the thickness with additional broth if needed.
  7. Ladle the creamy Avgolemono into bowls and garnish with extra fresh dill, lemon slices, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 210mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Helpful tricks include tempering eggs to prevent scrambling and cooking orzo to al dente for the perfect texture. This soup can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer.

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