Greek Chicken and Lemon Soup with Orzo

Still chilly enough for soup weather?  

Ready to try a lighter soup after the heavier fare of the winter?  

Have I got a soup for you to try.  Easy to make with simple ingredients, but just make sure you follow the directions or you might just end up with a congealed mass - not quite what we want to have for dinner, now is it?

Here's the ingredients:

8 cups chicken stock

3/4 cup orzo

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)

        cut crosswise into slices 1/4 inch thick

3 eggs

1/3 cup FRESH lemon juice

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

salt and white pepper (okay to substitute black pepper)

2 tablespoons finely chopped FRESH parsley

Now here's what you need to do:

1.  In a stockpot bring the chicken stock to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the orzo and cook uncovered, until very tender, 15-20 minutes.  About 5 minutes before the pasta is done, add the chicken breast slices.

2.  Place the eggs in a mixing bowl.  Whisk the eggs while pouring in the lemon juice. Stir in the zest.  Whisking continuously, slowly pour a ladleful of the hot stock into the egg and lemon mixture.  Reduce the heat to very low.  Then, while whisking the soup in the pan, slowly pour in the egg mixture; the soup should thicken sightly.

3.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Remove from the heat and ladle immediately into warmed bowls and garnish with the fresh parsley.

This soup is so yummy and fun to make.  Perfect for those chilly spring evenings. It's delicious with some peda bread (not pita bread), a green salad, and some pinot grigio or other white wine.

Oh and if you happen to go to Sweet Tomatoes and try their Lemon Greek Chicken Soup - there is simply NO COMPARISON!  We went there the other night and it was just awful.  (Sorry Sweet Tomatoes but I've got to call it like it is.)

Hope you decide to give this a try.  It is modified from a Williams-Sonoma soup recipe.  I can always count on one of their recipes - I've yet to have one be a dud.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope your spring weather is enjoyable, but just cool enough to enjoy this soup!

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