To make chicken avgolemono, simmer chicken and (if you like) rice in broth, then whisk eggs with lemon juice and slowly temper them with hot broth. Stir that mixture back into the pot and warm gently without letting the soup simmer. The egg and lemon thicken the broth into a smooth, rich soup without dairy.
What is avgolemono?
Avgolemono refers both to an egg-and-lemon mixture used to enrich soups and sauces and to soups made with that mixture. Chicken broth, chicken and rice are common in a hearty soup version, but ingredients and proportions vary; rice is not required.
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How to make chicken avgolemono
Ingredients and equipment
- Chicken and chicken broth
- Eggs and lemon juice
- Rice, if desired
- Aromatics and seasonings of choice, such as salt, pepper and herbs
- A food thermometer to check the chicken and egg mixture
Method
- Cook the chicken. Simmer chicken in broth with any chosen aromatics until a food thermometer inserted into the poultry reads 165°F, the USDA FSIS recommended safe minimum internal temperature for poultry. Remove the chicken, shred or cut it into bite-size pieces, and return it to the pot. See USDA FSIS safe temperature guidance.
- Cook rice if using it. Add rice to the broth and cook until tender, following the rice type’s package timing. For a broth-focused soup, leave it out.
- Whisk the eggs and lemon. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with lemon juice until combined.
- Temper the egg mixture. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in a ladleful of hot broth. Add another ladle gradually if needed, keeping the mixture moving. This warms the eggs before they meet the pot and helps prevent curdling. Goya’s method also adds hot broth to the egg mixture while mixing: Goya’s Greek lemon chicken soup recipe.
- Finish gently. Slowly whisk the warmed egg-and-lemon mixture into the pot. Stir over low heat until the soup is warm and slightly thickened. Do not let it simmer after adding the eggs; gentle heat helps preserve a smooth texture. See Milk Street’s Greek lemon chicken soup method.
- Season and serve. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, lemon juice or herbs to your preference.
Make the egg mixture safely
Lemon juice does not make raw eggs safe. USDA FSIS advises cooking dishes containing eggs to 160°F and using a food thermometer to verify the temperature. For recipes that specify raw eggs, FSIS says to heat the liquid egg mixture separately over low heat while stirring until it reaches 160°F, then combine it with the other ingredients. Follow that guidance while tempering, and avoid relying on acidity or appearance as a safety check. See USDA FSIS egg safety guidance.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- Crafted with high-quality ingredients for a rich, satisfying taste
Rank #4
- Authentic Greek Flavor: Enjoy the traditional taste of Greece with our Avgolemono-style chicken soup, made with real lemon and tender chicken
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Rank #3
- The information below is per-pack only
- One (1) 16.1 oz can of Pacific Foods Organic Greek-Style Chicken Orzo Soup With Lemon and Herb
- USDA Organic soup that’s consciously crafted with non-GMO ingredients, including chicken meat with no antibiotics, orzo pasta, carrots, celery, and red peppers
- Zesty lemon and fragrant herbs like oregano, thyme, and parsley enhance every spoonful for a Greek-inspired twist on traditional chicken noodle soup
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Rank #2
- The soup known affectionately to the Greeks as “Greek penicillin” is served by mothers and grandmothers to their families on holidays, family functions, and especially anytime a family member did not feel well. It has always been served as a cure all.
#1 Best Overall
- Gourmet Greek Style Chicken Soup (Avgo-Lemono Soupa). With egg, lemon and orzo.
- Just heat and serve.
Choose the style you prefer
- With rice or without: Rice makes the soup more substantial; omitting it keeps the emphasis on the lemony broth and chicken.
- More chicken or more broth: Use more shredded meat for a hearty bowl, or keep the soup broth-forward.
- Mild or tangy: Start with less lemon, taste, then add more at the end. Lemon preference is a seasoning choice, not a fixed rule.
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