Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Soup With Lemon, Rice and Dill

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Combine the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and bay leaf in a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker. Pull the skin off half of the thighs and discard it (or save to render the fat at another time). Add the chicken to the slow cooker and top with broth. Season generously with pepper. Add ½ teaspoon salt if you are using low-sodium broth or 1 teaspoon salt if using homemade unsalted stock. (Do not add salt now if you are using fully salted broth.) Cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. If it’s more convenient, you can let the slow cooker switch to warm after 6 hours. The soup will hold on warm for about another 2 hours before the chicken starts to dry out.

2. Step 2

   With a spoon or ladle, skim and discard any obvious foam and fat from the top of the soup. With tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and vegetables to a bowl and strain the broth. Discard the vegetables (or if they still have flavor, set them aside for a snack) and let the chicken cool while you finish the soup. Return the broth to the slow cooker, and switch the heat to high. Stir in the rice, cover and let the soup heat up until it is at least steaming hot, or bubbling a bit around the edges, about 10 minutes.

3. Step 3

   Whisk the lemon juice, egg yolks and sour cream in a medium bowl until creamy and combined. Dip a liquid measuring cup into the hot broth. While whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle about 2 cups of hot broth into the lemon juice mixture until fully combined and smooth. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker with the rest of the soup and whisk for another minute or so, until the soup starts to thicken enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon. Coarsely shred the chicken meat and add it into the soup, discarding the bones and skin. Stir in the dill and taste the soup. Add salt if necessary, and more lemon juice and black pepper if you like. If the soup isn’t hot enough, cover and let heat on high for another 10 minutes.