Avgolemono Soup

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Ingredients

  • 1 (3 pound) whole chicken

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 2 ribs celery, chopped

  • 1 carrot, chopped

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 2 teaspoons salt, or more to taste

  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

  • 3 quarts cold water

  • 2 cups finely diced onion

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2/3 cup arborio rice, or more to taste

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

  • ½ cup fresh lemon juice or to taste

Directions

  1. Place chicken, 1 chopped onion, celery, carrot, bay leaves, salt, and oregano in a large pot. Pour water over the top; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, skimming foam as necessary, until chicken is falling off the bone, 60 to 90 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  2. Transfer chicken to a large bowl to cool. Strain all vegetables from simmering broth, discard vegetables, and return broth to the pot.
  3. Chop chicken meat into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  4. Combine 2 cups diced onion, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion mixture until onion is soft, sweet, and golden, 7 to 10 minutes.
  5. Stir onion mixture into broth in the pot and set over medium-low heat; add Arborio rice and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until rice is very tender and broth flavors combine, about 45 minutes.
  6. Whisk together eggs, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl; whisk in lemon juice until combined. Slowly pour 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly.
  7. Whisk another 1 cup broth mixture into egg mixture, then pour egg mixture into the pot. Stir well.
  8. Add chopped chicken and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes more.
  9. Serve hot and enjoy!