Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill
A comforting Greek chicken soup brightened with fresh lemon and dill, thickened with eggs for a silky texture. This greek-inspired soups ready in about 60 minutes pairs medium, diced carrots, diced celery stalks, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (about 1 pound) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup long-grain white rice
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced yellow onion, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 6 cups chicken broth and 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove the chicken breasts from the pot and shred them with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the pot. Add 1/2 cup long-grain white rice and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs and 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice until frothy.
- Step 5: Temper the egg-lemon mixture by slowly ladling about 1 cup of hot soup broth into the bowl while whisking continuously to avoid curdling.
- Step 6: Slowly pour the tempered egg-lemon mixture back into the pot, stirring gently. Cook over low heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring continuously, until the soup thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Do not boil.
- Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot for a soothing meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, diced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Avgolemono Chicken Soup with Lemon and Dill?
Greek soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
