Avgolemono Soup | Easy Side Dish Recipes


5 min
25 min
4
Side dish
InstaBomb Kitchen
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2-3 celery stalks, diced
- 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 350 g total)
- 6 cups (1.5 liter) chicken stock
- ¾ cup (175 g) orzo
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 egg yolks
- A handful fresh dill
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven and cook the onion, carrot and celery for 8-10 minutes over medium heat until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute, then add the bay leaves , chicken and chicken stock .
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Take out the chicken breasts and bay leaves . Add the orzo to the pot and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and add it back to the pot.
- While the orzo is cooking, whisk the egg yolks and lemon juice in a bowl. Take out 1-2 ladles of soup and pour it over the egg-lemon mixture to temper it. Add this mix to the pot and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the fresh dill, adjust the seasoning and serve immediately, with some extra fresh dill on top if you like.
Avgolemono Soup: A Comforting Classic with a Citrus Kick
Avgolemono Soup is one of those dishes that feels both timeless and new every time you make it. It’s rich without being heavy, bright without being overpowering, and deeply rooted in Greek culinary tradition. Whether you’ve enjoyed it growing up or are just discovering it now, Avgolemono has a way of bringing comfort with every spoonful.
But here’s where we take things up a notch: pairing this iconic soup with a dish made using Greek Lemon Garlic InstaBomb™. The lemony-herbaceous notes that define Avgolemono are echoed beautifully in any Lemon Garlic entrée you prepare—be it chicken or pasta. The result is a flavor-forward, cohesive Mediterranean meal that’s easy to pull together and impossible to forget.
Below, we’ll dive into the story behind Avgolemono, show you how to make it your own, and explore why it’s the ultimate pairing for dishes made with InstaBomb. Let’s get into it.
What is Avgolemono Soup?
Avgolemono (pronounced ahv-go-LEM-uh-no) is one of Greece’s most beloved comfort foods—a silky, lemon-infused soup traditionally made by slowly whisking together fresh lemon juice, eggs, and warm broth to create a light yet velvety emulsion. Its name literally translates to “egg-lemon,” and that’s exactly what makes it special. The combination gives the broth a creamy texture without any cream, offering a bright, cozy flavor profile that feels like sunshine in a bowl.
At its core, Avgolemono is deeply versatile. While traditionally prepared with tender pieces of chicken and rice or orzo, it’s just as satisfying with chickpeas or tofu—making it an ideal choice for vegetarians or those experimenting with plant-based eating.
What makes our take on this classic dish even more special is that it’s perfect with a dish you prepare with your Greek Lemon Garlic InstaBomb. It captures all the layered, citrusy goodness of the traditional recipe, without the hours of prep. Just drop one in water with your favorite protein, and you’ll have a zesty, restaurant-worthy soup in under 30 minutes —no tempering skills required. It’s heritage, shortcut, and high flavor in one delicious package.
The Greek Roots of Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono isn’t just a recipe—it’s a reflection of Greek culinary heritage. Found in homes and tavernas across the country, this lemony soup is more than a first course—it’s a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and healing. Traditionally served during holidays, Sunday family meals, or when someone’s under the weather, it’s the Greek version of “chicken soup for the soul.”
Its roots go back centuries and are thought to have originated from Sephardic Jewish cuisine, eventually blending into Greek tradition with regional variations. Today, it’s found not only as a soup but also in sauces draped over dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), roasted meats, and vegetables. Avgolemono’s hallmark is its delicate, tangy balance—made to enhance the meal, not overpower it.
What sets it apart is how effortlessly it elevates everyday ingredients. By emulsifying lemon juice and eggs into broth, it transforms a simple soup into something bright, silky, and unforgettable —a flavor memory many Greeks associate with comfort and home.
Why It Pairs Perfectly with Lemon Garlic Dishes
Avgolemono and lemon garlic dishes go together like feta and olives— bright, balanced, and unmistakably Greek. Their shared flavor base of lemon, garlic, olive oil, and aromatic herbs like oregano, parsley, and dill has deep roots in Mediterranean cuisine, which is why our Greek Lemon Garlic InstaBomb™ feels like a seamless, flavorful companion to this beloved soup.
While Avgolemono delivers a creamy, citrus-kissed broth, pairing it with a Lemon Garlic entrée—like roasted chicken, buttered shrimp, or even a simple veggie-packed pasta—turns your meal into something greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the ultimate flavor harmony : creamy meets zesty, comfort meets crispness, tangy meets savory.
Shared Mediterranean Ingredients
Lemon, garlic, and olive oil form the holy trinity of Greek flavor and shine in both dishes.
Herbs like oregano, parsley, and dill bring depth, freshness, and a nod to traditional Greek home cooking.
Tomato and pepper flakes can serve as a complement the warmth of Avgolemono's broth.
Balance of Creamy and Bright
The velvety lemon-egg broth of Avgolemono acts as a palate cleanser, lifting heavier textures from grilled meats or cheesy pastas.
Pairing it with a roasted Lemon Garlic Chicken, or a chickpea and spinach pasta, gives each bite a pop of contrast that feels vibrant and satisfying .
Add crusty bread, grilled pita, or a cucumber salad for an easy, well-rounded plate.
Ideal for Entertaining
The combo is easy to scale up for guests and feels elegant with minimal effort .
Whether you're hosting a spring lunch, brunch, or a casual weeknight dinner, serving Avgolemono alongside a Lemon Garlic main dish makes the table feel thoughtful and cohesive.
It’s the kind of pairing that gets people asking for the recipe—and going back for seconds.
So the next time you're planning a meal that needs to feel both comforting and elevated, pair Avgolemono with a Lemon Garlic dish powered by InstaBomb. It's a flavor match worthy of a seaside table in Santorini—and totally doable in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
We’re not just here to make food taste great. We’re here to make it easy, inclusive, and affordable. Our Avgolemono Soup recipe:
Is ready in under 30 minutes
Works in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or stovetop
Can be made with chicken or made vegan using chickpeas or tofu
Serves up to 8 people per bomb, or 16 per jar
Saves you time without compromising on flavor
That’s the InstaBomb™ promise: explosive flavor, effortless meals.
Delicious Variations of Avgolemono Soup
One of the best things about Avgolemono Soup is how adaptable it is. While the base of lemon, egg, and broth stays consistent, you can customize it to suit your mood, dietary preferences, or what’s hanging out in your fridge. With the help of Greek Lemon Garlic InstaBomb™, it’s easier than ever to remix this classic while still keeping that authentic, comforting flavor.
Protein-Packed Twists
-
Classic Chicken Avgolemono
Use shredded rotisserie chicken for a protein-rich option. -
Chickpea Avgolemono (Vegan-Friendly)
Swap in canned or cooked chickpeas for a plant-based take that still delivers that signature richness. -
Tofu or Tempeh Avgolemono
Add cubes of tofu or slices of tempeh for a satisfying vegan variation with plenty of texture.
Grain Swaps for Texture
-
Orzo Pasta (Traditional)
The small, rice-shaped pasta is a go-to for a reason—it holds its texture well and complements the silky broth. -
Rice (Gluten-Free Option)
Jasmine, basmati, or even brown rice works great, especially if you're looking for a heartier, gluten-free version. -
Quinoa or Farro (For a Nutty Boost)
Add a protein and fiber punch with quinoa or farro, perfect if you want more texture or are meal prepping.
Flavor Add-Ins
Fresh Herbs
Stir in chopped dill, parsley, or mint at the end for a fresh pop that enhances the lemony flavor.Leafy Greens
Toss in a handful of spinach, kale, or chard for a nutrient boost and extra color.Crumbled Feta or Kalamata Olives
For a Greek taverna twist, top your bowl with a few briny bites of cheese or olives.
You can serve Avgolemono Soup alongside your bright, zesty Lemon Garlic Chicken and/or Pasta. It’s the perfect pairing that brings cohesion and craveability to your table without adding complexity. Whether you’re catering to picky eaters or impressing guests, this soup effortlessly complements any Lemon Garlic dish you whip up with InstaBomb, making your meal feel complete, flavorful, and totally elevated.
Bring the Comfort of Greece to Your Table Tonight
If you’ve been craving something that’s equal parts cozy, vibrant, and impressively simple, Avgolemono Soup is your answer. It’s a dish that delivers on flavor, tradition, and versatility—perfect on its own, or as the star sidekick to a Lemon Garlic InstaBomb meal.
\Whether you're meal-prepping for the week, making dinner for friends, or just treating yourself to something special, this soup offers restaurant-worthy flavor without the restaurant fuss. And when you pair it with a dish made using our Lemon Garlic Meal Bomb, you’ll create a full-on Mediterranean experience—no passport or hours of prep required.
So go ahead, give the recipe a try. Then take it up a notch and bring home a jar of Lemon Garlic InstaBomb. Because delicious should be easy. And easy should still taste like home-cooked magic.
Get the recipe!
