The first spoonful of this creamy Greek lemon chicken soup feels like sunshine on a gray day. It’s bright, tangy, and smooth, the kind of soup that warms you from the inside out. In under an hour, you’ll have a bowlful of comfort with silky broth, tender chicken, and soft rice simple enough for weeknights, special enough for company.
Table of Contents
Why This Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup Works
This recipe balances light lemon flavor with a rich, savory base. The tempered egg yolks create a velvety texture that feels luxurious without heavy cream. The rice and chicken make it hearty and filling, while the lemon adds freshness that lifts every bite. You’ll get a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and healthy fats that makes this a complete, satisfying meal.
It’s also flexible easy to adjust for your taste or what you have on hand. Plus, it’s a forgiving soup that reheats beautifully if you handle it gently.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll start with chicken broth for body and fresh lemon juice for that bright Greek flavor. Aromatic veggies onion, carrot, and celery form the base. The chicken soup base and a pinch of white pepper build depth. A small roux made from margarine and flour thickens everything just enough.
The magic comes from egg yolks, whisked and tempered to give that creamy texture. Cooked rice makes the soup satisfying, and diced chicken adds tender bites of protein. Finally, fresh lemon slices bring color and a little zing when served.
Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions
Use butter or olive oil instead of margarine for richer flavor. Swap orzo or brown rice if you prefer a different grain texture. Black pepper works fine if you don’t have white. You can also replace the soup base with bouillon just taste and adjust salt at the end. For stronger lemon flavor, squeeze in an extra tablespoon of juice before serving.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
Start by combining chicken broth, lemon juice, carrot, onion, celery, soup base, and pepper in a large pot. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15–20 minutes until the vegetables soften.
Meanwhile, blend the margarine and flour in a small bowl until smooth. Stir this mixture slowly into the simmering soup, whisking as you go. Let it cook another 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until it slightly thickens.
Next, beat the egg yolks in a separate bowl until pale and creamy. To temper them, whisk in a small amount of hot soup very slowly this keeps the eggs from scrambling. Once the yolks are warm and smooth, stir them back into the pot. Keep the heat low and don’t let the soup boil.
Finally, add the cooked rice and diced chicken. Stir gently and let everything heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a touch more lemon juice if needed. Serve hot, topped with fresh lemon slices.
Pro Tips for Perfect Texture and Flavor
Temper egg yolks slowly so they blend smoothly. Never let the soup boil after adding the eggs or the texture will curdle. Stir frequently to keep everything silky. If you reheat leftovers, do it gently over medium-low heat while stirring often. A squeeze of lemon at the end revives the flavor beautifully.
If you like soups like creamy tomato and white bean stew, you’ll love how this one balances comfort with brightness.
What to Serve With Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
This soup pairs nicely with warm pita or crusty bread for dipping. A crisp cucumber salad or roasted veggies make great sides. You could also serve it alongside Mediterranean favorites like Mediterranean chicken zucchini bake for a full meal.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Guide
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze up to three months ideally without rice, as it can become mushy. Add fresh rice when reheating.
When reheating, use medium-low heat on the stove or medium power in the microwave, stirring frequently. Keep it just hot enough to steam, not boil, so the creamy texture stays smooth. This recipe yields about four hearty servings.
Common Questions About Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup (FAQ)
What is Greek lemon chicken soup?
It’s a traditional Greek dish called avgolemono, made with chicken broth, lemon juice, and egg yolks for a creamy, tangy finish.
Is avgolemono soup healthy?
Yes! It offers lean protein, carbs, and healthy fats, plus vitamin C from lemon juice.
What goes well with Greek lemon chicken soup?
Simple sides like bread, salad, or roasted vegetables pair well. It’s also nice with a light pasta dish like creamy chicken pesto pasta.
What is avgolemono soup made of?
It includes chicken broth, lemon juice, eggs, rice, and chicken. The eggs give it the signature creamy texture.
More Such Recipes
- Mushroom chicken soup recipe
- Creamy parmesan Italian sausage ditalini soup
- One pot chicken orzo
- Crockpot garlic parmesan chicken potatoes

Conclusion
This creamy Greek lemon chicken soup brings together everything we crave on a cool night warmth, brightness, and silky comfort in every spoonful. Whether you serve it for dinner or save some for lunch the next day, it’s a dish that always tastes like home. Try it once, and you’ll come back to it whenever you need something cozy, satisfying, and full of flavor.
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Print
Creamy Greek Lemon Chicken Soup | Ultimate Comfort Bowl
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A silky, tangy Greek-inspired chicken soup made creamy with tempered egg yolks and bright with fresh lemon. Smooth, comforting, and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
8 cups chicken broth
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup shredded carrot
½ cup finely diced onion
½ cup minced celery
6 tablespoons chicken soup base
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
¼ cup margarine
¼ cup all-purpose flour
8 egg yolks
1 cup cooked white rice
1 cup diced cooked chicken
16 lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a large pot, combine broth, lemon juice, carrot, onion, celery, soup base, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15–20 minutes until vegetables are soft.
2. In a separate bowl, blend margarine and flour into a smooth paste. Stir into the soup gradually, cooking for another 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
3. Beat the egg yolks until light in color, then slowly mix in some hot soup while whisking to temper them.
4. Stir the tempered yolks back into the pot, keeping heat low and avoiding a boil.
5. Add rice and chicken, cooking just until heated. Serve hot with lemon slices.
Notes
Temper egg yolks slowly with hot broth to prevent scrambling.
Never let the soup boil after adding the eggs or it will curdle.
If reheating, stir often and keep heat low to maintain a smooth texture.
Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor, and adjust to taste at the end.
Make sure the roux is smooth to avoid lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup Recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 250mg
