4 lbswhole chicken or thighs and/or drumstikcs, bone in
2carrots peeled and cut into 1/3 inch slices
2stalkcelery diced
2bay leaf
fresh thyme leaves
fresh sage sprigs
fresh rosemary
1red onionhalved
10peppercorns
For the soup
2carrots diced
1celery stickdiced
1red oniondiced
1cupsticky rice
dry oregano
sea salt
freshly ground pepper
For the egg and lemon sauce
3egg yolks
2lemons juiced and zested
For serving
fresh thyme leavesoptional
chili flakesoptional
freshly ground pepperoptional
Instructions
Place the chicken in a large pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Skim the foam and reduce the heat to low. Add the onion, carrots, the bay leaves, fresh herbs sprigs, 2 tablespoons of sea salt and about 10 peppercorns. Cover and simmer for about 1 hour.
Wash the pot and add back the stock. Add the diced onions, carrots, celery and rice. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the chicken, stir, and turn off the heat.
While the rice cooks zest and juice the lemons.
Prepare the egg-lemon sauce.
In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks very well.
Gradually add the lemon zest and lemon juice while continuously whisking until the mixture thickens a little and becomes creamy.
Slowly add 1/2 cup of the soup broth to the bowl while whisking vigorously. Add about another 1/2 cup in the same way.
Keep whisking. Pour the lemon-egg mixture into the pot. Stir thoroughly.Add sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and extra lemon juice to taste.
Serve in bowls with a sprinkle of fresh thyme leaves and chili flakes.
Notes
The trickiest part when making avgolemonosoupis pouring the chicken broth slowly into the egg mixture. If you need to, ask someone to pour the broth slowly while you whisk.
Chicken broth can be refrigerated for 3-4 daysand in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Instead of making the broth, you can use free-range organic broth.
You can substitute rice with orzo, ditalini, or pastina. Some add couscous or quinoa. You also have the option to leave rice and pasta out altogether.
Instead of rice or pasta,you can add diced potatoes. Ensure the pieces are diced small enough to cook evenly with the rest of the vegetables.
You can add 1 cup grated ripe tomatoes in the brothwhen you add the rice. It makes a delightful pink soup!
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.