Making a warm, comforting soup often feels too time-consuming for busy weeknights. Many of us want tasty, home-cooked meals but struggle to find quick options that still bring big flavor to the table.

Then this Greek Lemon Orzo Soup (Avgolemono) is the answer for your taste. It’s fast, simple, and packed with bright lemon notes and hearty texture that will make your dinner special without hours of work.

In this blog, I will teach you my step-by-step method to create this traditional Greek soup with minimal effort.

You’ll learn the basic technique, key ingredients, and helpful tips to get that perfect balance of creamy, lemony goodness every time, even on your busiest days.

Nutritional Benefits of Greek Lemon Orzo Soup

Greek Lemon Orzo Soup offers a balance of nutrients while staying relatively light. Let’s look at the typical nutritional profile for a standard serving (about 1½ cups)

• Calories: 220-250

• Carbs: 30-35g (from orzo pasta)

• Protein: 15-18g (from chicken & eggs)

• Total Fat: 6-8g (mostly from eggs & chicken broth)

• Saturated Fat: 2-3g (from egg yolks)

• Heart-Healthy Fats: Polyunsaturated Fat: 1-2g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 2-3g (from olive oil)

• Cholesterol: 80-100mg (from eggs)

• Sodium: 600-800mg (depends on broth)

• Potassium: 300-400mg (supports muscle & fluid balance)

• Fiber: 2-3g (from orzo and veggies)

• Sugar: 1-2g (natural sugars, no added sugars)

• Vitamin A: 10-15% of daily value

• Vitamin C: 20-30% of daily value (from lemon)

• Calcium: 4-6% of daily value

• Iron: 8-10% of daily value

This soup provides a good source of protein while being relatively low in fat. The lemon juice adds vitamin C, and the broth delivers minerals. Adding extra vegetables can boost the fiber and nutrient content even more.

Ingredients Required for Greek Lemon Orzo Soup

• 14 cups homemade chicken stock or store-bought

• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken

• ¾ cup orzo pasta, uncooked

• 8 egg yolks; discard egg whites or save for another use

• 4-5 fresh lemons, for ½ to ¾ cup of fresh lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, extra virgin for the best flavor

• 1 teaspoon dried dill or fresh dill if preferred

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch to thicken the soup

• 1 teaspoon salt, for seasoning

• Additional lemon juice, optional for extra zing

• High-quality olive oil, for a rich drizzle

• Lemon slices for garnish

• Pita chips or toasted bread, optional for serving

Let’s Prepare the Greek Lemon Orzo Soup

This Greek Lemon Orzo Soup blends smooth, creamy texture with bright citrus notes in a warm, comforting dish. It comes together quickly with simple pantry items for a perfect weeknight meal.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Stock and Chicken

• First I will take a large pot, heat about 14 cups of homemade chicken stock (or store-bought).
• Shred 1 cup of cooked chicken (use rotisserie chicken or boil chicken pieces until fully cooked).
• Add the shredded chicken to the pot and stir. Let the chicken simmer in the stock as it heats up.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon-Egg Sauce (Avgolemono)

• In a separate bowl, whisk together 8 egg yolks (discard the egg whites or save them for another recipe).
• Juice 4-5 fresh lemons to yield ½ to ¾ cup of fresh lemon juice.
• Add the lemon juice to the egg yolks and whisk.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of dried dill, and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch.
• Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Orzo

• Once the chicken stock and shredded chicken are simmering, add ¾ cup of orzo pasta to the pot.
• Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and stir to combine.
• Let the orzo cook for 6 to 7 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. The orzo should be al dente.

Step 4: Temper the Egg-Lemon Mixture

• Ladle about ½ cup of hot soup broth and slowly add it to the egg-lemon mixture, whisking continuously.
• This step is called tempering and prevents the eggs from curdling.
• Once the egg mixture has warmed up, it is ready to be added back into the soup.

Step 5: Add the Egg-Lemon Sauce to the Soup

• Slowly pour the tempered egg-lemon mixture back into the pot of hot soup, stirring gently.
• Cook the soup for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the soup thickens and becomes creamy.

Step 6: Adjust Flavor and Consistency

• Taste the soup and add more salt if needed.
• For extra lemon flavor, add ¼ cup more lemon juice.
• Stir well and allow the soup to thicken slightly as the orzo continues to soften.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a slice of lemon.
• Drizzle with high-quality olive oil for added richness and flavor.
• Serve with homemade pita chips or toasted bread for a comforting side.

For more depth on making Greek Lemon Orzo Soup (Avgolemono soup), watch the video below:

Storing Leftover Greek Lemon Orzo Soup

To keep your leftover Greek Lemon Orzo Soup fresh and delicious, follow these tips for proper storage:

1. Cool Quickly: Let the soup cool to room temperature, but no longer than 2 hours before storing it.
2. Use Airtight Containers: Store the soup in airtight containers, preferably glass, which won’t absorb flavors or stain.
3. Refrigerate: Keep the soup in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Be aware that the orzo will absorb some of the liquid, causing the soup to thicken.
4. Reheat Gently: When reheating, do so on low to medium heat. High heat can cause the egg-lemon mixture to curdle.
5. Thin if Needed: If the soup has thickened too much during storage, add a bit of fresh broth or water to loosen it up.
6. Stir Carefully: Stir the soup gently while reheating to restore its creamy consistency.
7. Add Fresh Lemon: A quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice after reheating will help refresh the flavors.
8. Avoid Freezing: It’s best not to freeze the soup, as the egg-lemon mixture and orzo don’t freeze well together.
9. Fix Separation: If the ingredients separate after storage, simply whisk gently while reheating to bring everything back together.

Delightful Greek Lemon Orzo Soup Combos!

This Greek Lemon Orzo Soup brings bright, zesty flavors and comforting warmth to your table. While wonderful on its own, pairing it with complementary foods creates memorable meal experiences.

Here are some of my combo ideas that will take your soup from a simple dish to a standout meal:

Mediterranean Feast

Transform your soup into the centerpiece of a Greek-inspired spread. Start with the warm, lemony soup in smaller bowls.

Surround it with a Greek village salad made with chunks of cucumber, ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, red onions, and kalamata olives with no lettuce needed!

Add blocks of feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with oregano. Complete the spread with warm, puffy pita bread brushed with olive oil and a side of cool tzatziki sauce made with thick yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic.

This combo brings together various textures and temperatures of warm soup, cool salad, and soft bread, creating a complete sensory experience.

The Sandwich Specialist

Take your grilled-cheese game to new heights by pairing the soup with a carefully crafted sandwich.

Butter the outside of sourdough bread and fill it with a mix of creamy gouda and tangy feta cheeses.

Add thin slices of apple for sweetness and crunch, along with a few leaves of fresh basil. Grill until golden and cheese melts.

Cut diagonally and serve alongside a bowl of steaming soup. The contrast between the crispy, rich sandwich and the light, lemony soup creates a perfect lunch or light dinner option.

Dip the sandwich edges into the soup for an extra flavor bonus!

Seafood Symphony

Enhance the Mediterranean spirit of your soup by creating a seafood-focused meal. Grill large shrimp brushed with olive oil, lemon, and herbs until just pink.

Alternatively, pan-sear small pieces of cod or halibut with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and thyme. Place the seafood atop the soup just before serving, allowing the flavors to mingle.

On the side, serve lemon wedges and a small dish of extra-virgin olive oil sprinkled with red pepper flakes.

This combo turns your soup into a high-protein main course that feels special enough for weekend dining but remains simple enough for weeknights.

Greek Home Comfort

Bring together beloved Greek specialty foods for a nostalgic, cozy meal. Serve your soup with a small portion of homemade spinach and feta pie with flaky, buttery layers surrounding the green filling.

Add stuffed grape leaves (dolmades) with their tangy, herbaceous rice filling. Include a small dish of marinated olives and perhaps a few chunks of good feta cheese drizzled with honey, a traditional Greek combination of salty and sweet.

This combo transforms your soup into part of an authentic Greek meal experience that feels like a homemade feast.

Italian Crossover

Create a Mediterranean fusion meal by pairing your Greek soup with Italian-inspired bruschetta.

Toast slices of good Italian bread, rub with raw garlic, and top with chopped tomatoes mixed with basil, olive oil, and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

Or try white bean bruschetta mash with cannellini beans with olive oil, lemon, and herbs, then spread on toast and drizzle with more olive oil.

The soup and bruschetta share Mediterranean roots but offer different flavor profiles that complement each other beautifully.

Each of these combos transforms your Greek Lemon Orzo Soup from a simple dish into a complete meal experience, playing with complementary flavors, textures, and temperatures to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Final Talk

So, what’s so special about this Greek Lemon Orzo Soup? It combines simple ingredients to create a meal that’s both nourishing and satisfying.

The bright lemon flavor, tender orzo, and protein-rich ingredients make it perfect for any day of the week.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your regular meal rotation. Whether you serve it alone or with one of the pairing suggestions, it’s sure to bring a bit of Mediterranean comfort to your table.

What’s next? Why not try making this soup this weekend? The steps are simple, the ingredients are easy to find, and the results are truly worth it.

Have you made Avgolemono soup before? Let me know in the comments section below how you enjoy serving it or if you have any questions!