Try This Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe Tonight

Lemon chicken and rice soup offers a comforting embrace during chilly evenings, wrapping you in warmth from the first spoonful.

Bright citrus notes dance elegantly alongside tender chicken pieces, creating a harmonious melody of flavors that instantly revive weary spirits.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this soul-soothing recipe, blending simple ingredients into a nourishing masterpiece.

Creamy rice provides a luxurious backdrop for delicate herbs and zesty lemon, enhanceing ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Delightful aromatics waft through the kitchen, promising a healing experience that goes beyond mere sustenance.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

Rich in protein and bursting with vibrant flavors, this soup represents comfort in its most delicious form.

Why Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Is a Bowl of Sunshine

• Boost Comfort with Creamy Texture: This soup delivers a luxurious, velvety consistency from the perfectly cooked arborio rice and silky egg-lemon mixture, creating a heartwarming experience that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
• Elevate Flavor with Bright Lemon Twist: The vibrant lemon zest and juice add a refreshing, tangy dimension that cuts through the richness, transforming a classic chicken soup into a zesty, Mediterranean-inspired delight.
• Master Technique with Gentle Blending: The careful process of tempering eggs prevents curdling, showcasing a sophisticated cooking method that ensures a smooth, professional-quality soup even home cooks can achieve with patience and precision.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: Ready in under an hour, this one-pot meal combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it perfect for busy nights when you crave something nourishing and delicious without complicated preparation.

What Goes into Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Chicken, Chicken Broth: Protein-rich base with deep flavor, choose high-quality or homemade broth for best taste.
• Arborio Rice: Creamy Italian rice with starchy texture, perfect for creating smooth and rich soup consistency.

• Onion, Garlic: Essential flavor foundations with sweet and pungent notes, fresh produce ensures maximum taste.
• Thyme, Oregano: Classic herbs adding earthy and Mediterranean warmth to the soup.

• Eggs, Egg Yolks: Creamy thickening agents that create silky texture without cornstarch.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element providing fresh and tangy flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat with rich Mediterranean character.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasoning for balanced taste enhancement.

• Parsley, Dill: Fresh herbal toppings adding color and light aromatic finish.
• Aleppo Pepper: Mild, fruity spice offering gentle heat and complex flavor.

Making Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup That Warms You Up

Step 1: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they become soft and translucent. Toss in minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, releasing its delightful aroma.

• Olive oil
• Onions
• Garlic

Step 2: Simmer Rice and Herbs

Introduce uncooked arborio rice to the pot. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle with thyme and oregano. Lower heat, cover, and let simmer gently until rice becomes tender and absorbs the flavorful liquid.

• Arborio rice
• Chicken broth
• Thyme
• Oregano

Step 3: Create Silky Lemon Mixture

• Eggs
• Egg yolks
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice

Carefully temper the egg mixture by slowly adding hot broth while whisking continuously to prevent curdling.

Step 4: Blend and Incorporate

Transfer the egg mixture to a blender and process until smooth. Gently pour the blended mixture back into the soup pot, stirring to combine.

Step 5: Finish and Season

Add shredded chicken to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Warm the soup thoroughly, being careful not to bring it to a boil.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

• Chopped parsley
• Fresh or dried dill
• Sprinkle of Aleppo pepper

Enjoy your comforting and zesty chicken and rice soup!

Tips for Bright, Balanced Lemon Chicken Soup

• Temper Eggs Carefully: Slowly add hot broth to eggs while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and create a silky, smooth texture.
• Choose Right Rice: Select arborio rice for its creamy consistency and ability to absorb flavors perfectly in this comforting soup.
• Control Heating Technique: Maintain low heat when adding egg mixture to prevent curdling and preserve the soup's delicate texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Use fresh herbs like parsley and dill to brighten the soup and add a layer of fresh, aromatic notes.
• Optimize Chicken Tenderness: Shred chicken while it's warm to ensure soft, moist meat that blends seamlessly with the soup's creamy base.

How to Store and Reheat Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Refrigerate: Transfer the soup to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the soup completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze: Carefully place the soup in freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months, avoiding freezing with fresh herbs as they might lose flavor.
• Reheat: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of chicken broth if the soup has thickened during storage to restore its original consistency.

What to Eat with Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup

• Zesty Wine Companion: Pair this cozy lemon chicken soup with a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio to complement the bright citrus notes and enhance the soup's delicate flavors.
• Herbal Tea Harmony: Brew a soothing chamomile or lemon verbena tea alongside the soup to echo its lemony warmth and provide a comforting, gentle contrast to the rich chicken broth.
• Crusty Bread Sidekick: Serve a slice of rustic sourdough or a warm baguette to soak up the flavorful broth, adding textural variety and helping to make the meal more satisfying and filling.
• Mediterranean Salad Match: Create a simple Greek-style salad with cucumber, tomatoes, feta, and a light olive oil dressing to balance the soup's creamy texture and add a fresh, tangy element to the meal.

Lemon Chicken Soup Variations to Keep Things Interesting

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace thyme and oregano with fresh rosemary, basil, and marjoram for a vibrant herbal profile that transports your taste buds to southern European coastlines.
• Spicy Moroccan Warmth: Add ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of harissa paste to introduce a North African warmth and depth to the traditional soup recipe.
• Creamy Greek Style: Stir in crumbled feta cheese and a dollop of Greek yogurt just before serving to create a rich, tangy version with Mediterranean undertones.
• Vegetarian Protein Boost: Swap chicken with roasted chickpeas or white beans, and use vegetable broth to transform the soup into a hearty plant-based meal without compromising flavor complexity.

Cozy Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comforting lemon chicken & rice soup brings Mediterranean warmth to your kitchen. Zesty citrus and tender chicken mingle with hearty rice, creating a soul-soothing bowl you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 8 cups chicken broth or bone broth
• 1.5 cups arborio rice, uncooked
• 0.75 pound cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, shredded
• 0.5 cup lemon juice
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Zest of 2 lemons

Cooking Base and Garnish:

• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, mashed
• Chopped parsley
• Aleppo pepper
• Fresh or dried dill

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Instructions

1. In a spacious pot, warm olive oil over medium temperature and gently sauté diced onions until they become translucent and softened.
2. Introduce minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional moment, releasing its aromatic essence.
3. Incorporate uncooked arborio rice, chicken broth, thyme, and oregano into the pot, reducing heat to low and allowing the mixture to simmer quietly until rice reaches tender perfection.
4. Prepare a separate mixing bowl and whisk eggs, egg yolks, lemon zest, and lemon juice into a silky, smooth consistency.
5. Carefully temper the egg mixture by gradually introducing hot soup broth, whisking continuously to prevent potential curdling.
6. Transfer the delicate egg blend to a blender, processing until completely smooth and uniform.
7. Reintroduce the blended mixture back into the main soup pot, stirring gently to integrate.
8. Fold shredded chicken into the soup, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance flavor profiles.
9. Warm the soup gently, ensuring it remains just below boiling point to preserve texture and taste.
10. Elegantly ladle the soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh parsley, dill, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper for a vibrant finishing touch.

Notes

• Whisking eggs with broth creates a creamy, silky texture without curdling, ensuring a smooth and luxurious soup consistency.
• Arborio rice adds rich, starchy thickness to the soup, making it heartier and more satisfying than traditional chicken soup.
• Slow simmering with herbs like thyme and oregano develops deep, comforting flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Balancing lemon zest and juice brings bright, tangy notes that cut through the richness of chicken and eggs, creating a vibrant taste.
• Gentle heating after adding egg mixture prevents curdling and maintains the soup’s delicate, velvety texture.
• Fresh herb garnishes like parsley and dill provide a burst of freshness and visual appeal, transforming the soup from simple to elegant.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 590mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 23g
• Cholesterol: 150mg