My Yia Yia's Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe: the Ultimate Comfort Food (2024)

October 3, 2017

By Joanna

To me this recipe is the ultimate comfort food...

My Yia Yia's Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe: the Ultimate Comfort Food (1)

How are you guys today? With the change of seasons, I’ve been feeling the need for a big, hot bowl of soup which is my favorite comfort food. Cue this recipe from my (very) Greek grandmother: authenticAvgolemono Soup! To me this recipe is the ultimate comfort food… to the point where when I’m sick now I crave it more than any other remedy. It’s so easy to make and incredibly satisfying, especially on a chilly winter night. I hope you love it!

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My Yia Yia's Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe: the Ultimate Comfort Food (2)

The Best Authentic Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe (Lemon Egg Chicken Soup)

I don’t have an exact recipe for Yia yia’sAvgolemono Soup because, to her, it’s like second nature. I remember watching her put a little bit of this, a little bit of that into a pot and then in an hour or so, the most delicious, comforting soup imaginable would be put in front of me. She still makes it every time I go back to the east coast to visit! A few years ago, she gave me the pot and the wooden spoon she uses to make the soup, so I always use those pieces when I make this recipe. They feel like family heirlooms and are essential to the flavor of the recipe.

What is avgolemono soup?

Simply defined, authentic Greek avgolemono soup is a soup made with beaten eggs, lemon juice, and chicken broth made from scratch. The key is whisking and slowly adding hot broth into the egg so that they don’t curdle. The result is a rich, silky soup that has the brightness of lemon and the comfort of a traditional chicken noodle soup.

What kind of rice is used in avgolemono?

For my family’s recipe, we use orzo instead of rice. It’s just always the way we’ve done it! You can also use a long grain rice like basmati or jasmine. I’ve also seen people use brown rice for a heartier soup and arborio rice to make the soup even thicker.

Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe (Lemon Egg Chicken Soup)

My grandmother'sGreek Avgolemono soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food and perfect for a chilly winter day! Plus, it's so easy to make.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins

Course Lunch, Main Course, Soup

Cuisine Greek

Servings 6 servings

Calories 564 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts chicken stock
  • 3 pounds chicken breasts and/or thighs skin removed
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 celery stalks diced
  • 1.5 cup carrots shredded
  • 1 cup orzo
  • 5 eggs
  • 5 lemons juice only
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Wash the chicken and set aside. Prepare veggies by chopping them and shredding the carrots.

  • In a large soup pot, combine chicken stock, chicken, onion, celery, and carrots. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and cover, simmering for about 45 minutes.

  • Turn off the heat and remove the chicken with tongs. If you used chicken with bones, debone and then shred the meat.

  • Put the chicken back into the pot and bring back to a boil, adding the orzo. Simmer for about 20 minutes.

  • In the meantime, whisk the eggs in a medium-sized bowl. Slowly whisk in the lemon juice until the mixture is frothy, then add 3 cups of the hot soup broth 1 cup at a time to the egg mixture while whisking. Whisking during this entire step is essential because it will prevent the egg from curdling.

  • Once all combined, pour the egg mixture into the soup pot and stir well.

  • Serve with a side of saltine crackers like my Yia yia or some crusty bread (if you’re local to Seattle, definitely check outChess Bakerydelivery for the best fresh bread I’ve everrrr tasted).

Notes

My grandmother makes her version of this recipe with a whole chicken, but I usually don’t have that on hand. If you do use a whole chicken, be sure to skim the fat off the top as it boils.

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 65gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 291mgSodium: 793mgPotassium: 1534mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 5648IUVitamin C: 54mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg

Keyword chicken, greek food, soup

Tried this recipe?Tag @jojotastic on Instagram & tag #jojotastic!

My Yia Yia's Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe: the Ultimate Comfort Food (4)

The simple action of sitting at our dining table and eating this lemony, starchy soup helps me to feel more grounded and is perfect for cold winter days.I hope this recipes helps to soothe your soul just a little bit, too.

You might also enjoy:

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup Recipe

I love how easy the recipe is, plus it’s served up in pumpkin bowls, which will look so festive for my upcoming Friendsgiving dinner!

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I really cannot tell you how GOOD the broth is in this recipe… probably thanks to the browned bits of sausage that were cooked with the butter and onions! You really can’t go wrong with that combo, in my opinion.

Read more

Photography & styling by Jojotastic, recipe adapted from my grandma’s notes. Get more recipeshere!

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Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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My Yia Yia's Greek Avgolemono Soup Recipe: the Ultimate Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

What does avgolemono mean in Greek? ›

Avgolemono (Greek: αυγολέμονο or αβγολέμονο literally egg–lemon) is a family of sauces and soups made with egg yolk and lemon juice mixed with broth, heated until they thicken.

What are the health benefits of Avgolemono soup? ›

Since Avgolemono is a broth-based soup, it can help to keep the body hydrated and maintain proper fluid balance. Boosts immune function: The ingredients in Greek soups, such as garlic, lemon, and chicken broth, can help to boost immune func.

Is avgolemono good for colds? ›

For Greeks, kotosoupa (also known as Avgolemono) is proven that when combined and cooked, the ingredients in this soup offer a powerhouse of health for treating colds, flu, and light fevers. It is considered especially beneficial for abating respiratory problems, sore throat and sniffles.

Can Avgolemono soup be reheated? ›

This is a common question and the short answer is: Yes, you can reheat avgolemono soup and sauce. You can reheat avgolemono in the microwave or on the stove. Keep in mind that the risk of splitting still exists, so reheating gently over medium heat on the stove can be a safer bet than on full power in the microwave.

Is Avgolemono soup good for upset stomach? ›

It's perfect for an upset stomach, sore. throat, or just a chilly winter night. — and way better than chicken noodle.

What is the healthiest soup you can eat? ›

Here are 7 healthy soups to fit your diet.
  1. Vegetable Soup. Vegetable soup is one of the best soups to eat. ...
  2. Tomato Soup. Tomato soup is a favorite low calorie and low fat food. ...
  3. Minestrone. Minestrone is very low in carbohydrates and calories. ...
  4. Black Bean Soup. ...
  5. Chicken and Vegetable Soup. ...
  6. Miso Soup. ...
  7. Turkey Soup.

Who has the healthiest soup? ›

Amy's Organic Low Sodium Lentil Vegetable Soup is one the healthiest canned soups because it's made with non-GMO, organic ingredients, is low in sodium, and is a great source of protein and fiber. With 11 grams of plant-based protein and 8 grams of fiber in one can, this lentil vegetable soup is filling and nutritious.

Is it OK to eat chicken soup everyday? ›

Eating chicken noodle soup as your main meal daily may provide some benefits, but it's important to consider your diet's nutritional balance and variety. It's important to remember that chicken noodle soup alone may not provide all the nutrients your body needs.

Which soup is best for cough? ›

A chicken soup or broth is an excellent food to eat when you have flu. The steam from soup or broth speeds up the movement of mucus through the nose to relieve congestion. A healthy soup also helps reduce inflammation. Sipping hot soup enhances your immune system that guards against bacteria and viruses.

Which soup is best for sick people? ›

9 Healthy Soups to Eat When You're Sick—And Sick of Chicken Noodle
  • Chicken and tortellini soup. ...
  • Apple-sauerkraut soup. ...
  • Mexican chickpea and quinoa soup. ...
  • Creamy kale and white bean soup. ...
  • Thai red curry noodle soup. ...
  • Roasted cauliflower soup. ...
  • Ham and white bean soup. ...
  • Slow cooker lentil soup.
Jun 14, 2023

Which soup is best for sore throat and cough? ›

Chicken Noodle Soup

Hot chicken soup can relieve a sore throat and stimulate nasal clearance. Load it up with whatever vitamin-rich veggie medley strikes your fancy. The vegetables and noodles will boost your immune system and help you feel full and satisfied. Check out our chicken noodle soup video recipe!

Why shouldn't you reheat soup more than once? ›

This is because the more times you cool and reheat food, the higher the risk of food poisoning. Bacteria can multiply when cooled too slowly or reheated insufficiently. Foods should be heated until they reach and maintain 70ºC or above for 2 minutes.

Can you reheat soup twice? ›

If food has been hygienically prepared, cooled quickly after cooking (or reheating) and stored cold, reheating more than once should not increase the risk of illness. However, prolonged storage and repeated reheating will affect the taste, texture, and sometimes the nutritional quality of foods.

Can I reheat soup the next day? ›

Leftover cooked food may be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. During this time, you can reheat the leftovers to 165 °F. Be sure to return any unused portion to the refrigerator within two hours to remain safe.

What is the Greek root word for egg? ›

Etymology. From Proto-Indo-European *h₂ōwyóm (“egg”). Cognate with Ancient Greek ᾠόν (ōión).

What is the origin of avgolemono? ›

Avgolemono soup is a Greek soup that may have its origin in Iberia brought by Sephardic Jews after they were expelled from Spain in 1492.

What is the Greek word for egg yolk? ›

krókos avgoú More Greek words for egg yolk. κρόκος αβγού noun. krókos avgoú egg yolk, yolk.

What is the Greek name for chicken? ›

chicken {noun}

κοτόπουλο {pr. n.} They shared a full catered meal of chicken and fish. expand_more Απόλαυσαν ένα πλήρες γεύμα με κοτόπουλο και ψάρι.

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