AVGOLEMENO RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse chicken and remove any organs that may be inside. Place in a pot large enough for it to move around, but not too big or the broth will be watery. Add the chicken neck if that is included with your chicken.
• Fill the pot with enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Cover and bring to a boil. When it boils, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, skimming the fat from the top as it collects. The meat should pull from the bones easily.
• Transfer the chicken to a large bowl and set aside to cool.
• Add rice to the broth and season with salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat until rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• While the rice is cooking, whisk eggs and lemon juice together in a bowl. Remove chicken meat from the bones.
• When rice is finished, turn off the heat. Whisk one ladle full of hot broth into the eggs slowly so the eggs do not curdle. Gradually whisk in more broth until the egg mixture is heated. Pour the hot egg mixture back into the pot, whisking briskly. The result should be a creamy, cloudy-looking soup. Season with salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
• Add pieces of chicken to the soup before serving or serve soup with salted chicken on the side.

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the chicken breasts and then lower to a simmer. Simmer until the chicken is just cooked through and the internal temperature registers 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes; remove to a bowl. Once cooled, shred the chicken and reserve.
• Add the orzo or rice to the pot with the chicken stock and cook until al dente, 5 to 8 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites to soft peaks. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and most of the lemon juice, reserving some to add later as needed. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Once combined, ladle in some hot stock to temper the egg mixture, whisking constantly and adding the hot liquid slowly. Very slowly, add the warm whipped egg/lemon mixture into the pot, whisking constantly to prevent any curds or clumps from forming. Continue to cook over medium-low to medium heat, whisking, until the soup thickens, about 10 minutes more.
• Add the shredded chicken and any reserved juices to the soup. Add the lemon zest and season with salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and add additional lemon juice if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley.