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Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe

4.9 from 132 reviews

Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is a comforting, bright, and creamy soup featuring tender chicken, creamy arborio rice, and fresh lemon zest and juice. This hearty soup balances savory herbs and garlic with refreshing lemon, finished with a smooth, velvety texture achieved by blending a portion of the soup with an egg-lemon mixture. Perfect for cold days or whenever you need a warm, nourishing meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Soup:

  • 23 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, mashed
  • 1 ½ cups arborio rice, uncooked
  • 8 cups chicken broth or bone broth
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ cup lemon juice (juice of about 2 lemons)
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ¾ pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

For Garnishing:

  • Chopped parsley
  • Aleppo pepper (optional)
  • Fresh or dry dill

Instructions

  1. Sauté Onions and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 6-7 minutes until translucent. Add mashed garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
  2. Cook Rice with Broth and Herbs: Stir in the arborio rice, chicken broth, thyme, and oregano. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender.
  3. Whisk Egg and Lemon Mixture: In a large separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined. Set aside.
  4. Temper the Egg Mixture: Slowly ladle about 1 3/4 cups of the hot soup into the egg-lemon mixture a few tablespoons at a time, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
  5. Blend the Tempered Mixture: Pour the tempered egg and soup mixture into a blender and process until smooth and creamy.
  6. Combine and Finish Soup: Pour the blended mixture back into the pot with the remaining soup. Stir in shredded chicken, sea salt, and black pepper. Heat gently to warm through without boiling.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, fresh or dry dill, and optional Aleppo pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy your cozy lemon chicken and rice soup.

Notes

  • Be careful when adding hot soup to eggs—adding it slowly while whisking is key to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  • Using arborio rice gives the soup a creamy texture; substitute with other short-grain rice if unavailable, though texture will differ slightly.
  • Adjust lemon juice to taste for more or less brightness.
  • The soup can be reheated gently over low heat; avoid boiling to prevent egg curdling.
  • Chicken broth can be homemade or store-bought; bone broth adds extra richness.
  • Optional Aleppo pepper adds a mild spicy kick and depth.

Keywords: lemon chicken soup, lemon chicken and rice soup, creamy chicken soup, arborio rice soup, cozy winter soup, lemon garlic soup