Chicken Soup Avgolemono was one of the soups my mother would make for us whenever we had a cold and it always did its trick.
What is Avgolemono?
If you are not Greek, you must be wondering what Avgolemono is.
Well, avgolemono is a Greek Sauce made with eggs and lemons which is mixed with broth and thickens the liquid.
I have not been feeling very well since last weekend.
On Saturday morning we had gone to the farmers’ market as well as to the supermarket for our weekly shopping and the first signs of feeling a bit exhausted had appeared.
I paid no attention and returning back home I had tons of things to do, to put everything away, wash some of the vegetables and cooked fish.
By the time I finished it was 4 p.m. and I began feeling the symptoms: my throat and ears were feeling soar, I began to cough, I had a little bit of fever but most of all I felt that someone had beaten me up and my bones and muscles felt sore.
Why Chicken Soup Avgolemono is good when you have a cold?
A visit to the doctor’s recommended rest and to drink lots of fluid. You need at least eight glasses of fluid a day when you’re sick.
Here are a few things you should know:
- Chicken soup is a warm liquid that can help you stay hydrated, which is important when you have a cold or flu.
- To make this soup, it is important to use a *whole chicken or pieces of chicken with the skin and bones on. Not only does this improve the flavour, but the bones contain nutrients such as B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and zinc, which can assist our immune cells in fighting off colds and flu.
- Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine. It thins out the mucous in the lungs making it easier to cough out.
- Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene. The body converts this into vitamin A, which helps prevent and fight off infections by enhancing the actions of white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses.
- The main nutrient of the potatoes, which is starch, supplies energy and carbohydrates. Potatoes are a reliable source of vitamin C. A medium boiled potato (180 grams) contains about 10 mg of vitamin C, which corresponds to 1/8 of the daily requirements for an adult.
- Onions contain quercetin, a natural anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory.
- Celery has also anti-inflammatory health benefits, including its protection against inflammation in the digestive tract itself.
- Finally the avgolemono sauce not only adds more flavour to the soup but also additional vitamins and nutrients. Whole eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet, containing a little bit of almost every nutrient we need and of course lemons are packed with Vitamin C.
- Two additional ingredients which can be added to a chicken soup (without the avgolemono sauce) is ginger and garlic. Both have medicinal properties to help fight infections.
Why Chicken Soup Avgolemono is good when you have a cold?
This recipe I made is not the classic Greek Chicken Soup Avgolemono as I have enriched it with more vitamins and nutrients by adding some carrots, celery, a potato and an onion.
Ingredients
- 1/2 whole chicken*
- 2 carrots, finely chopped
- 1 cup celery stalks, finely chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 potato, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp salt
- Water to cover (about 1 ½ litres)
- 1/2 cup soup rice (carolina)
- Pepper (optional)
For avgolemono sauce:
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 cup broth from the soup
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a large pot and fill with water to cover the chicken.
- Bring to a boil and skim off the froth which will rise on top.
- Add the vegetables and salt.
- Cook for half an hour and remove the chicken.
- Continue cooking the vegetables until they are almost soft.
- When you can handle the chicken, remove skin and bones and cut into small pieces.
- Add the rice and cook for twenty minutes. When cooked add the chicken.
- Beat the eggs lightly and add the lemon juice (See Video). Pour some of the hot broth while beating the eggs. Empty it in the pot stirring continuously for a few seconds, so as not to cook the eggs.
- Serve with black pepper on top.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 255Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 110mgSodium 1532mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 20g
"These values are automatically calculated and offered for guidance only. Their accuracy is not guaranteed."
Soups
If you like soups, check out these soups as well!
Mushroom Soup
This mushroom soup yields a hearty and flavourful vegan soup with a blend of vegetables and herbs, perfect for a comforting and delicious meal.
Magiritsa
Magiritsa is the Greek soup, made from lamb offal, lettuce and avgolemono sauce and the first meal served after the 40 days fasting of Lent.
Turkey Soup with leftover Turkey
This delicious Turkey soup, which is one of my favorites, is made with the carcass of our roasted turkey, which we make during Christmas.
Anginarosoupa: Artichoke & Celeriac Soup
Anginarosoupa, is a healthy and delicious Artichoke and Celeriac soup made from fresh artichokes, onions, garlic, celery and many other vegetable. The fish and Greek yoghurt are optional, so if you leave them out the dish is vegan.
Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables.  It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!
Hoummous Soup (Chickpeas soup)
Hoummous soup is made with the same ingredients as for hoummous dip. More hot broth is added until it reaches the consistency of a soup and is served with croutons. The cooked chickpeas can be freezed, so when making this soup, I usually boil more in order to make the dip whenever I like.
Big Bang Soup (Veloute Vegetable Soup)
The Bing Bang soup, as I call it, is a hearty veloute vegetable soup with star shaped pasta, which can be adapted with more vegetables.
Why is chicken soup good when you have a cold?
This recipe I made is not the classic Avgolemono Soup as I have enriched it with more vitamins and nutrients by adding some carrots, celery, a potato and an onion.
Cypriot Trahanas Soup
Trahanas (pronounced trah-hah-NAHS), is a traditional Greek and Cypriot product, made from cracked wheat flour and a goat milk curd that is fermented.
Greek Fava and Pumpkin Soup and Dip
This Greek Pumpkin and Fava Soup is made from scratch and is healthy, filling and perfect as a starter for a dinner party or a light supper.
Mirepoix Giouvarlakia Avgolemono Soup
A different recipe for Giouvarlakia avgolemono, which start with a mirepoix and then the meatballs are cooked with the vegetables and finish with the egg-lemon (avgolemono) sauce.
Kreatosoupa (Veal Soup with Vegetables)
Kreatosoupa is a Greek soup made with veal and lots of vegetables. I also call this soup clean up your fridge soup, as you can use any or all optional vegetables in the recipe.
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Alice
Sunday 21st of February 2016
Great stuff. I love chicken soup. Informative post but it is also good therapy for colds1
kebab cooking
Wednesday 18th of March 2015
i like the chicken soup.they have interesting idea for soup.
Angie
Saturday 7th of March 2015
I too just made some chicken soup, but not as fancy as yours, just simply with water and some mushrooms. Must give yours a try next time as it looks so much more flavourful and delicious.
Rosa
Thursday 5th of March 2015
A delicious looking soup and interesting post!
I hope that you are feeling better now...
Cheers,
Rosa
Ivy
Thursday 5th of March 2015
Thank you Rosa.