Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe
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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Soup:
- 2–3 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Blend the Tempered Mixture: Pour the tempered egg and soup mixture into a blender and process until smooth and creamy.
- 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.
- 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
Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/cozy-lemon-chicken-and-rice-soup-recipe/
