Bright • Creamy‑Without‑Cream • Mediterranean Comfort • Beauty‑Nutrition Aligned
A bright, silky Greek chicken soup where leeks melt into a creamy lemon broth — without a drop of dairy. Avgolemono’s signature egg‑lemon finish gives the soup its luxurious texture, while the leeks add sweetness, depth and Mediterranean elegance. It’s cozy, nourishing and delivers wellness for Autumn cooking.
Prep 15 min Cook 35 min Serves 4
Ingredients
2 tbsp extra‑virgin olive oil
2 large leeks, cleaned and sliced
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup cooked rice (or orzo)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 eggs
1 lemon, juiced
Zest of 1/2 lemon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
To serve fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics
Heat olive oil in a pot. Add leeks, onion, and garlic. Cook 8–10 minutes until soft and fragrant. - Add broth & chicken
Pour in chicken broth. Add shredded chicken, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15 minutes. - Add rice or orzo
Stir in cooked rice (or orzo). Simmer 5 minutes to warm through. - Prepare avgo
lemonoIn a bowl, whisk eggs and lemon juice until smooth. - Temper the eggs
Slowly ladle hot broth into the egg mixture while whisking to prevent curdling. - Finish the soup
Pour tempered egg mixture back into the pot. Stir gently over low heat until creamy (do not boil). - Serve
Finish with lemon zest, fresh dill or parsley, and an extra drizzle of olive oil.
Beauty Benefits
- Leeks — Skin Clarity + Anti‑Inflammatory Support
Rich in kaempferol and prebiotic fibre (inulin), leeks help reduce inflammation, support detox pathways and promote clearer skin through gut‑skin balance. - Lemon — Brightening + Collagen Support
Vitamin C boosts collagen production, supports firmness and brightens dull or uneven skin. - Eggs — Elasticity + Repair
Eggs provide amino acids essential for collagen synthesis, helping maintain skin elasticity and repair. - Olive Oil — Moisture, Glow & Barrier Strength
Squalene and monounsaturated fats strengthen the skin barrier, improve moisture retention and enhance natural radiance. - Chicken — Protein for Hair, Skin & Nails
High‑quality protein supports cell repair, hair growth, and overall skin resilience.
Health Benefits
- Gut‑supportive leeks: Prebiotic fibre (inulin) improves digestion and microbiome balance.
- Anti‑inflammatory nutrients: Kaempferol, polyphenols, and olive‑oil antioxidants reduce inflammation.
- Immune support: Lemon provides vitamin C; chicken broth supports hydration and recovery.
- High‑protein: Chicken and eggs offer complete proteins for muscle repair and metabolic balance.
- Naturally gluten‑free: When made with rice instead of orzo.
- Gentle on digestion: Ideal for wellness, recovery, and anti‑inflammatory eating patterns.
Storage
- Refrigerate: 3–4 days
- Reheat gently (do not boil — avgolemono can separate)
- Freezing: Not recommended (egg‑lemon base can curdle)
Substitutions
- Rice → orzo or quinoa
- Chicken → turkey or chickpeas
- Dill → parsley or mint
- Extra lemon for a brighter, more modern flavour
- Add spinach for extra nutrients and colour
History
Avgolemono is one of Greece’s most iconic comfort dishes — a lemon‑egg emulsion used for soups and sauces since ancient times. Traditionally made with chicken and rice, the soup was served during celebrations, cold seasons, and recovery periods because of its nourishing, restorative qualities.
Leeks, abundant in northern Greece, were often added in winter months to enhance sweetness and depth. Their gentle flavour pairs naturally with lemon and broth, creating a modern, wellness‑aligned version of the classic.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?
