Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup
Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup is a creamy, comforting bowl of sunshine featuring tender shredded chicken, rice, and a tangy lemon-egg broth, garnished with fresh dill and served with lemon wedges. This classic, savory soup is easy to prepare and perfect for a cozy meal that brings the bright flavors of the Mediterranean to your table.
- Author: Lisa
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced (about 150 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (100 g) uncooked rice (or substitute with orzo pasta)
- 2 cups (300 g) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached chicken breast)
- 2 large eggs
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/2 cup or 120 ml)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Heat the aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened. Add garlic and sauté for another 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the rice in broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Add rice and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes until the rice is tender.
- Whisk eggs and lemon juice: While the rice cooks, whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until frothy. Slowly add lemon juice while whisking constantly to combine thoroughly.
- Temper the egg mixture: Ladle 1 to 2 cups of hot broth into the egg-lemon mixture slowly, whisking continuously to raise the temperature without scrambling. Once tempered, gradually pour the mixture back into the pot, stirring as you go to blend evenly.
- Add chicken and heat through: Stir in shredded chicken and let it heat through for about 5 minutes. Avoid boiling the soup after adding the egg mixture to prevent curdling.
- Season and serve: Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped fresh dill, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Take your time while tempering the eggs to prevent curdling and ensure a smooth broth.
- Add fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking to boost nutrition and add color.
- Use orzo pasta instead of rice for a more traditional Greek version of the soup.
- For extra lemon flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the soup just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 350 ml)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Mediterranean lemon chicken soup, lemon chicken soup, creamy chicken soup, comforting soup recipe, lemon and egg soup, easy chicken soup, Greek lemon soup