TRADITIONAL ROMANIAN GREEK-STYLE CHICKEN SOUP
Welcome to my kitchen with this delicious Greek-style chicken soup — a creamy, tangy, and comforting classic beloved by many. Tested and loved by friends, this recipe balances tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, delicate egg-thickened broth, and fresh herbs for a satisfying family meal.
🕒 Prep Time: 20 min
🍳 Cook Time: 1 hour
🍰 Yields: 5 servings
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 1 kg), cut into large pieces
- 2 carrots
- 1 large parsley root
- 1 piece celery root (about 150 g)
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 200 ml sour cream
- 150 ml milk
- 3 egg yolks
- 60 g rice
- 1 lemon (juice)
- 2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- 3 tbsp oil
- 2 sprigs fresh dill or parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cook the Chicken and Vegetables
- Wash the chicken and cut into large pieces.
- Place chicken pieces in a pot with 2.5 liters cold water and add black peppercorns.
- Chop all vegetables except one carrot into large chunks and add to the pot.
- Add 1 tsp salt and bring to a boil over medium heat, skimming foam as it forms.
- Once foam stops forming, cover and simmer for about 1 hour (less if using store-bought chicken).
2. Prepare the Rice
- Remove chicken and vegetables, strain the broth.
- Debone the chicken and shred the meat into strips.
- Cook rice separately in plenty of salted water following package instructions. Drain well.
3. Prepare the Soup Base
- Grate the remaining carrot.
- In a pot, sauté grated carrot in 3 tbsp oil until softened.
- Add strained chicken broth and shredded chicken meat.
- Lower heat to avoid boiling.
4. Prepare the Egg and Sour Cream Mixture
- In a large bowl, beat egg yolks with milk until smooth.
- Stir in sour cream.
- Temper the mixture by gradually adding 5–6 ladles of hot soup broth, whisking continuously to avoid curdling.
- Slowly pour tempered mixture into the pot with soup, stirring constantly.
5. Final Steps
- Add cooked rice to the soup.
- Add lemon juice gradually, starting with juice from half a lemon; adjust to taste.
- Add salt if needed (I added an extra teaspoon).
- Simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow soup to thicken slightly from the egg yolks.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped dill or parsley.
💡 Tips
- Keep the soup from boiling after adding egg mixture to prevent curdling.
- Adjust lemon juice to suit your preferred level of tartness.
- Fresh herbs brighten the soup and add traditional aroma.
- Skimming foam early keeps broth clear and clean-tasting.
🎉 Perfect For
- Family dinners and cozy gatherings
- Light but nourishing meals
- Fans of creamy, tangy traditional soups
📝 Final Thoughts
This Greek-style chicken soup is a beloved Romanian classic combining tender poultry, fresh vegetables, and a silky, lemony broth enriched by eggs and sour cream. Its comforting flavors and easy preparation make it a perfect choice for any season.