Weeknight Cooking

10-Minute Egg Drop Soup

by:
February  4, 2019
4.3
19 Ratings
10-Minute Egg Drop Soup
Photo by Rocky Luten
  • Prep time 3 minutes
  • Cook time 10 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

My maternal grandmother and her friends developed this recipe after migrating to America with the intention of reproducing Eastern flavors with Western ingredients. Since then, it has been passed on to my mother and now to me. A variation on the traditional egg drop soup you’ll find at most Chinese restaurants, this recipe incorporates heartier ingredients such as cream of chicken (in place of cornstarch) and canned corn to create a creamier, richer flavor. The best part: It goes from stove to bowl in about 10 minutes.

I like to top it with green onions or cilantro for a fresh garnish, and will sometimes add chili pepper and/or sesame oil for an extra kick. No matter which direction you take it, this soup is perfect for the winter months or for helping a friend who’s feeling under the weather. —Yih-Jen Ku

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: A 10-Minute Egg Drop Soup to Get You Over That Midweek Hump. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces cream of chicken
  • 12 ounces chicken broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can whole kernel corn
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 dash salt, to taste
  • Scallions, finely chopped (for garnish)
Directions
  1. In a medium-sized pot, mix together the cream of chicken, chicken broth, and 12 ounces of water (you can use the cream of chicken can as a measuring cup). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Once the soup has come to a boil, add the can of corn, including the juice. Bring the soup back to a boil over medium-high heat.
  3. While the soup comes back up to a boil, whisk the eggs plus 5 teaspoons of very cold water in a small separate bowl. Chop the scallions and set aside.
  4. Bring the pot down to a simmer. While stirring the soup, slowly pour in the whisked eggs (continue stirring as you mix in the eggs; this is important). Stir until the eggs begin to flower. Add salt, to taste.
  5. Serve warm in individual bowls and garnish with scallions.
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27 Reviews

Lynnette
Lynnette January 31, 2023
Hi by chicken broth do you mean what we’d call stock in the U.K.? Thanks can’t wait to try
 
trysteroo
trysteroo December 9, 2022
I had an upset stomach and wasn't in the mood to eat anything. I made this exactly as stated in the recipe, plus a little ginger and red pepper flakes and it was simple, delicious, satisfying, and made me feel better! It's also really budget-friendly! Will be making this a lot in the future.
 
Peggy S.
Peggy S. October 13, 2022
Any substitutions for the Cream of Chicken? I'd like to keep it vegetarian.
 
Megan C.
Megan C. October 24, 2022
You could try cream of mushroom. Just check that it's not made with chicken stock as well.
 
sassygirl711
sassygirl711 December 30, 2022
cream of celery??
hope it works out!
 
Cpprbull
Cpprbull October 2, 2022
I'm just one person and would love to try. Does it reheat well?
 
Elizabeth D.
Elizabeth D. October 4, 2022
This froze well. Or you could adjust the recipe to make half?
 
Elizabeth D.
Elizabeth D. June 24, 2022
I made this soup and it was delicious, creamy and very satisfying. And super quick to make! Perfect for when we're all running late.
The second time, I added a splash of soy sauce, shredded chicken breast, and a touch of ginger. It's a definite hit and we'll be making this again!
 
Linda D.
Linda D. April 13, 2019
What a delightful soup! The scallions and red pepper were a pleasings and savory addition. Thank you!
 
Ana C.
Ana C. February 12, 2019
So 12 oz. of water and the juice from the can of corn in addition to the ingredients listed?
 
Erin A.
Erin A. February 13, 2019
Exactly!
 
Donna W.
Donna W. October 18, 2019
Water? There is no water listed in the ingredients. I think Ana C. meant 12 oz.broth.
 
DJM
DJM February 12, 2019
With the addition of a good amount of freshly ground white pepper it a great soup. And in addition I discovered the Pacific organic condensed cream of chicken soup.
 
Robbie
Robbie February 11, 2019
Easy and delicious! Great soup on a snowy night with fresh bread and lists of butter! Thanks!
 
Robbie
Robbie February 11, 2019
Sorry..it supposed to be lots of butter....lots and lots of butter....😁
 
JP
JP February 7, 2019
When you list "12 ounces cream of Chicken," I assume you mean a can of condensed cream of chicken soup? And the only cans of cream of chicken soup I can find are 10.5 ounces.
 
Erin A.
Erin A. February 7, 2019
Exactly! The condensed soup. I personally like the 12-ounce Pacific Foods version, but I've also used the 10.5-ounce Campbell's version and adjusted the broth and water measurements to match.
 
JP
JP February 7, 2019
Thanks Erin for the fast reply. This looks like a fun recipe for those under the weather days when you need a quick and easy feel good soup. We will let you know what we think after we try it.
 
Erin A.
Erin A. February 8, 2019
No problem, JP! And you're totally right—this recipe is perfect for that. Can't wait to hear how it goes!
 
weshook
weshook February 7, 2019
My dad used to make an egg drop soup with cream corn! No cream of chicken though.
 
Yonna L.
Yonna L. November 11, 2019
Did you then double the chicken broth instead, to replace Cream of Chicken?
 
Jill B.
Jill B. February 6, 2019
Why can I not print when I press the print button. Just goes to the recipe. Frustrating.
 
Catherine J.
Catherine J. February 18, 2019
When you hit "print button" the computer produces a printable version then you must use your computer's print command to actually print it out. For example I have an Apple MacBook and I have to hit "command P" to print. I hope this helps.
 
Sharon A.
Sharon A. August 15, 2020
And for Windows you have to hit "Ctrl P" to print. Hope this helps, too.
 
KS
KS February 6, 2019
What does it look like when the eggs “flower”? Any characteristics or a timeframe to watch for? Looking forward to trying this!
 
JP
JP February 7, 2019
When the ribbons of egg turn opaque in the swirling broth
 
Bella P.
Bella P. February 4, 2019
So easy and delicious!! I was nervous to stir the eggs in but it turned out great.