Avgolemono Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is a traditional Greek soup. This soup has a light and refreshing taste and is considered very healthy. What makes this soup special is its creamy texture, which comes from lemon and eggs; no cream is used in this recipe.
If you’re looking to make something at home that’s quick and easy, this soup is a great option. And the best part is, you can make it very easily using an Instant Pot. So let’s learn how to make it step by step.
What is Avgolemono Soup?
One of the most popular and traditional Greek soups is avgolemono. Because the name is derived from two words—Avgo, which means egg, and Lemono, which means lemon—it is known as Avgolemono soup.
Chicken stock, rice or orzo pasta, eggs, and lemon are the ingredients of this soup. The soup has a naturally creamy texture thanks to the egg and lemon combination, which makes it light and tasty.
Ingredients needed for the soup
Ingredients for the soup
- 500 grams of chicken (boneless or with bone)
- 1 medium-sized onion (finely chopped)
- 4–5 cups chicken stock or plain water
- ½ cup rice or orzo pasta
- 2 eggs
- 2 lemons, freshly squeezed juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic (finely chopped or grated)
How to make Avgolemono Soup in an Instant Pot (Step by Step)
Prepare the base in the Instant Pot
First, set the Instant Pot to the Sauté mode. Then add the olive oil and sauté the onions until they are lightly golden brown. After sautéing the onions, add the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the chicken and stock.
Add water or chicken stock to the Instant Pot after adding the chicken pieces and seasoning with salt and pepper. After firmly closing the cover, cook for eight minutes on the Pressure Cook-High setting.
Remove the chicken and shred it.
Let the pressure release naturally for 8 minutes, then open the lid and remove the chicken. Now, gently shred the chicken using your hands or a fork. This will allow the chicken to mix well with the soup, enhancing the flavor when you eat it.
Add rice or orzo to the soup and cook.
Now add the rice or orzo pasta to the soup. Close the lid of the Instant Pot again and cook on Pressure Cook – High for 5 minutes. This will soften the rice and slightly thicken the soup, which is a key characteristic of this recipe.
Prepare a mixture of egg and lemon.
Now, in a separate bowl, whisk the egg thoroughly until it becomes light and smooth. Gradually add the fresh lemon juice to the egg mixture. Now, take small portions of the soup from the Instant Pot and add them to the egg mixture, stirring continuously. Doing this will prevent the egg from curdling and ensure the mixture is well combined.
Make the soup creamy.
Now, slowly pour the egg and lemon mixture into the Instant Pot, stirring continuously. After doing this, add the shredded chicken back to the soup, then close the Instant Pot tightly. Your soup will now become creamy and smooth on its own.
That’s all you have to do! Your Avgolemono Greek Lemon Chicken Soup is now completely ready. Simply remove it from the Instant Pot, serve it in a bowl, and enjoy its delicious taste.
Tips to make Avgolemono Soup even more delicious
We’ve provided some tips below to make this soup even more delicious.
- When making this soup, add the lemon juice only at the very end.
- Make sure the soup isn’t boiling vigorously when you add the egg.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, use less lemon juice.
- Sprinkle a little black pepper on top when serving.
- You can also add some fresh coriander leaves if you like.
The benefits of Avgolemono Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
When people make this soup, they often don’t know about the benefits it offers. Let’s find out what those benefits are:
- It’s light and healthy on the stomach.
- It’s considered very beneficial for colds, coughs, and general weakness.
- This soup is packed with protein.
- This soup is considered a great option for a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Avgolemono, a Greek lemon chicken soup, is something anyone can make. It’s the perfect combination of flavor, health benefits, and simplicity. This soup is quite easy to make at home and is perfect for everyone, from children to adults.
I hope you’ve carefully read the steps above, and that you’re now eager to try making this soup yourself. I recommend you try it at least once and let us know in the comments what you think of the taste!
