Greek Chicken Soup with Lemon and Orzo
A bright, comforting Greek soup featuring tender rotisserie chicken, hearty vegetables, and delicate orzo pasta in a vibrant lemon-herb broth. Ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Active Time20 minutes mins
Total Time40 minutes mins
Course: Main Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: Dill, Lemon, Rotisserie Chicken
Yield: 6 servings
Calories: 783kcal
Author: Jamie Sandstedt
Large Soup Pot or Dutch Oven
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Wooden Spoon or Ladle
Citrus Juicer optional but helpful
- 2 tbsp. Olive Oil
- 2 c. White Onion — chopped (approx. 1 md. to lg. onion)
- 2 c. Carrots — chopped
- 2 c. Celery — chopped
- 1 tbsp. Garlic — finely minced
- 6 tsp. I Can't Believe It's Bouillon — chicken or vegetable
- 6 c. Filtered Water —
- 8 oz. Orzo Pasta — cooked according to package instructions and drained
- 2 Rotisserie Chicken — shredded (about 3 c.)
- 1 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1 tsp. Sea Salt — plus more to taste
- 1/4 c. Fresh Lemon Juice — (approx. 2 or 3 lemons)
- ¼ c. Fresh Dill — finely chopped
- 4 Egg Yolks
Sauté the Aromatics
Heat the Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the olive oil (2 tbsp.), then add the diced carrots (2 c.) and celery (2 c.). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the onions (2 c.) and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent. Add the minced garlic (1 tbsp.) and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the red pepper flakes (1 tsp.), black pepper (1 tsp.), and sea salt (1 tsp.).
Build the Broth
In a small bowl, dissolve the bouillon (6 tsp.) in filtered water (½ c.) and add to the pot. Add the remaining filtered water (5 ½ c.) to the pot. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low.
Add the Remaining Flavor and Texture
Add the cooked orzo (8 oz.), shredded rotisserie chicken (2 breasts, about 3 c.), and the tempered egg yolks to the pot. Let warm through for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice (2 tbsp.) and dill (¼ c.) just before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
Bouillon Substitute. If you don't have I Can't Believe It's Bouillon, use 6 cups of good-quality chicken broth instead of water and bouillon. Adjust salt to taste.
Orzo Watch. Keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks. It can go from perfect to mushy quickly. Taste it around the 6- to 8-minute mark.
Leftover Tip. Orzo absorbs liquid over time. When reheating leftovers, add extra broth or water to reach the desired consistency.
Veggie Variations. Feel free to add spinach, kale, or zucchini in the last few minutes of cooking.
Egg Yolk Option. The egg yolk step is traditional in Greek Avgolemono Soup and creates a silky, creamy texture without cream. It's optional but highly recommended for authentic flavor.
Calories: 783kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 103g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 414mg | Sodium: 1889mg | Potassium: 1726mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 14766IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 4mg