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Writer's picturegwynnemiddleton

How to Make Delicious and Nourishing Greek Lemon Chicken Soup at Home


close up of Greek lemon chicken soup topped with fresh dill
Cozy bowl of Greek lemon chicken soup. Image by author.

This lemon-infused chicken soup is a good reminder that I’ve come a long way from the go-to canned soups of my childhood. (I was not above plopping a can of gelatinous cream of mushroom soup into a pot without bothering to cut it with the requisite water or milk.) This recipe will take more than 5 minutes to prepare, but it’s worth the 30 minutes of labor for a steamy bowl of chicken soup spiked with vitamin C. I highly recommend tucking in to this soup when you’re feeling under the weather and need something nourishing that’s also delicious.


Below you’ll find a recipe for a twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. When we started hand-milling whole grains last year for flour, we invested in a hefty bag of rye berries. I’ve appreciated the slightly sour tang of rye flour in savory breads, and I’m glad I branched out into its use for sweet baked goods. This is a cookie for those who want more than one-note sweetness. Here you’ll get a great combination of sweet, tang and salt, with just enough butter send you reminiscing about the good ol’ days when cookies and milk were a go-to snack.


 

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Serves 4-6


Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 3/4 cup carrots, peeled and chopped

  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic

  • 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1/2 cup uncooked orzo

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed

  • 5 cups chopped baby spinach

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill


Directions

  1. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sauté onions in the oil for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. Add the carrot and continue sautéing for 4 minutes until carrots soften. Then add garlic and crushed red pepper and stir constantly, until fragrant, for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  2. Increase the heat to high, and add chicken broth to Dutch oven, bringing to a boil. Add the orzo, and cook uncovered until orzo is al dente, about 6 minutes.

  3. While the orzo is doing its thing, whisk eggs and lemon juice in a medium bowl until frothy.

  4. When the orzo is al dente, remove 1 cup of the boiling stock. Gradually add that hot stock to egg–lemon juice mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs, about 1 minute. Pour egg mixture back into the Dutch oven, stirring to combine.

  5. Reduce heat to medium-low; stir in chicken, spinach, salt, and pepper. Stir for another minute until spinach wilts. Then, divide soup among 6 bowls; sprinkle evenly with dill and serve immediately.

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