Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup Recipe
This Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup is a comforting and vibrant dish featuring tender shredded chicken, zesty lemon, and a creamy egg-lemon broth. It combines simple ingredients like rice, garlic, and fresh dill to create a soulful, healthy soup that’s perfect for any season.
- Author: Hannah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Base Ingredients
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced (~150 g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- ½ cup (100 g) uncooked rice (or orzo pasta)
- 2 cups (300 g) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached chicken breast)
Egg-Lemon Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- Juice of 2 lemons (about ½ cup or 120 ml)
Seasonings & Garnish
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh dill, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- Sauté the Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Cook the Rice (or Orzo): Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the rice and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Prepare the Egg-Lemon Mixture: While the rice cooks, whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until frothy. Slowly add the lemon juice, whisking constantly to combine thoroughly.
- Temper the Egg-Lemon Mixture: Gradually ladle 1-2 cups of hot broth into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling. Once tempered, slowly pour the mixture back into the pot, stirring gently to incorporate.
- Add Chicken and Season: Stir in the shredded chicken and let it heat through for about 5 minutes. Avoid boiling the soup to maintain the creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with fresh dill, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an extra citrusy zing.
Notes
- Temper with Care: Slowly introduce hot broth to the egg-lemon mixture to avoid curdling and achieve a silky texture.
- Enhance the Greens: Add fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes for additional nutrition and color.
- Adjust the Citrus: Start with one lemon if you prefer a milder lemon flavor and add more to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean Lemon Chicken Soup, lemon chicken soup, chicken soup with lemon and egg, easy chicken soup, healthy chicken soup, hearty lemon chicken soup