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.