SERVES 4 to 6
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
Feel free to use leftover or precooked rice here; for more information on buying precooked rice, click here. Be careful not to overcook the chicken in step 3 or it will taste dry. Also, be sure to heat the soup very gently after adding the egg yolks in step 5 or they may curdle. For more information on shredding chicken, click here. See the photos that follow the recipe.
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2 |
tablespoons vegetable oil |
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1 |
pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed |
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Salt and pepper |
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3 |
carrots, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick |
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1 |
fennel bulb, stalks discarded, bulb halved, cored, and sliced ¼ inch thick |
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1 |
onion, chopped fine |
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1 |
teaspoon minced fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried |
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6 |
cups low-sodium chicken broth |
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6 |
(3-inch) strips lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons juice |
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2 |
cups cooked rice |
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4 |
large egg yolks |
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2 |
tablespoons minced fresh parsley or tarragon |
1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Brown chicken lightly on both sides, about 5 minutes; transfer to plate.
2. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil, carrots, fennel, and onion to fat left in pot and cook over medium heat until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in broth and lemon zest, scraping up any browned bits.
3. Add browned chicken, cover, and simmer gently until it registers 160 degrees, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to cutting board and shred into bite-size pieces.
4. Meanwhile, remove lemon zest and return soup to simmer. Stir in shredded chicken and rice and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Turn heat to low.
5. Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together in medium bowl. Stir 3 tablespoons hot broth into yolk mixture to temper, then whisk yolk mixture into soup. Continue to cook soup gently, whisking constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Promptly remove from heat. Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.