Easy Greek Chicken and Rice Soup

• •1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• •1 pound Ground Chicken
• •1 small, diced Yellow Onion
• •2 medium, peeled and diced Carrots
• •1 diced Celery Stalk
• •3 cloves, minced Garlic
• •1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• •0.5 teaspoon Dried Thyme
• •0.5 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
• •0.3 teaspoon, or to taste Black Pepper
• •6 cups Chicken Broth
• •0.5 cup, uncooked Long-Grain White Rice
• •2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
• •2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish Fresh Dill or Parsley

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat and set the chicken aside.

2. 2

   In the same pot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.

3. 3

   Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Cook for another minute until fragrant.

4. 4

   Return the cooked ground chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth, then add the uncooked long-grain white rice. Season with salt and black pepper.

5. 5

   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed some of the broth. Stir occasionally to prevent rice from sticking to the bottom.

6. 6

   Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to your preference.

7. 7

   Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh chopped dill or parsley before serving.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
• 💡If you prefer a thicker soup, you can slightly reduce the amount of broth or mash a small portion of the cooked rice and vegetables against the side of the pot.
• 💡Don't overcook the rice; it can become mushy. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of simmering.
• 💡Serve with a side of crusty bread or warm pita for dipping.
• 💡Feel free to add other vegetables like spinach (stirred in at the very end) or zucchini for extra nutrition.