• HOME
  • small food ideas
    • meal planning + prep
    • kitchen basics
    • hospitality
    • foodie finds
    • live happily
  • recipes
    • breakfast + brunch
    • appetizers + snacks
    • salads
    • soups + stews
    • side dish
    • main dish
    • desserts
    • drinks
  • NWAFOODIE
  • SHOP
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • CONTACT
Simple Joyful Food

small ideas that add joy to life

soups + stews

I’m obsessed with Whole Food’s Chicken Tortilla Soup.

September 23, 2011 14 Comments

** Think you like this recipe? There is an even better one posted called “Better Than Whole Foods Chicken Tortilla Soup,” posted here.

Just because the nearest Whole Foods is two hours away from Northwest Arkansas, doesn’t mean that we can’t participate in its awesomeness.

Whenever I’m in Tulsa or North Little Rock or wherever there is a Whole Foods, I make a beeline to the soup station.  Their chicken tortilla soup (strangely though, I’ve never actually seen any tortilla in it) packs such a KA-POW of flavor that I just may be addicted to it.

I’ve been known to dream about it.

And drool in my sleep when dreaming about it.

My heart is now racing.

Okay, you may be wondering, “how can we participate in Whole Foods awesomeness since it is so far away?”

Answer:  Their website!  It’s overflowing with a bounty of recipes and tips!  Sign up for theirnewsletter so you don’t miss anything.

Let’s talk about that chicken tortilla soup and the KA-POW factor.  It’s good.

Realllllly out-of-this-world delicious.

It’s easy to make, too.  And fast.  Perfect for today.

Want the recipe?

TORTILLA SOUP WITH TOMATOES

Courtesy of Whole Foods

Serves 4 to 6 (so they say, my husband and I can easily polish this off in one sitting!)

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 serrano chile, finely chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

Salt and pepper

2 cups water (I use 1 cup water with 1 cup chicken broth)

1 tablespoon lime juice, more to taste

1/4 cup grated Monterey jack cheese

1/4 cup crumbled yellow corn tortilla chips (I skipped this, no reason, just because)

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
(I added the equivalent of half of a roasted chicken.  An easy way to do this is to buy a rotisserie chicken and half it yourself!)

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until the onion turns translucent, about 5 minutes. Add chile and cumin and cook a minute longer. Add tomatoes with their juices, water and salt. Cover the pot and cook gently, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings. Ladle soup into bowls and top with grated cheese, tortilla chips and cilantro. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION

Per serving (about 10oz/285g-wt.): 100 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, 3g protein, 12g total carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 6g sugar), 5mg cholesterol, 480mg sodium

You’re going to love this, so enjoy!

Happy Fall!

Lyndi

Eat well, my friends.  Eat well.

You might also like...

Apparently, January is a soup-prolific month. better than whole foods chicken tortilla soup - main (c)thejoyofeatingwellBetter than Whole Foods Chicken Tortilla Soup. Orzo, yellow squash & chicken soup with rubbed sage.

Share

Share
Tweet
Email
Pin
Comment
Previous
Next

Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




  1. Cary says

    September 23, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    You know how I feel about soup, but this actually looks good.

    Reply
  2. nwafoodie says

    September 23, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    Thanks Cary! I bought a new flash for my camera today so I can take better photos. Might inspire you to actually eat soup one day. 🙂

    Lyndi

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    September 24, 2011 at 1:48 am

    Mmmmmmm I bet that's amazing! I wish the Boy liked tortilla soup!

    Reply
  4. nwafoodie says

    September 24, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    He might if he tried this one! 🙂 Compliments to Whole Foods, of course! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    September 27, 2011 at 12:08 am

    You might like my version as well.

    http://diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com/2009/09/crock-pot-wednesday-and-garys-favorite.html

    The rose water arrived. Thanks so much:)

    I still need to pick up the T and T certificate. Do you have that address?

    Your "Comment" is only letting me post Anonymously. Sorry

    Reply
  6. Blake S Clardy says

    September 30, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Lyndi,you should do a post on the roasted chicken to chicken stock process. I often roast a chicken just because I'm running low on stock.

    blake

    Reply
  7. nwafoodie says

    September 30, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    Hi Blake,

    Great idea! I actually wrote one the other day for my guest column on themightyrib.com and it was featured yesterday! I'll go ahead and post a link to that right now.

    Lyndi

    Reply
  8. Mrs. Clark Bar says

    October 16, 2011 at 10:16 pm

    YUM! I love all things Whole Foods and hate the closest is LR. Whenever my mother comes up to visit, she always makes brings me my favorite items from WF.

    Reply
  9. nwafoodie says

    October 24, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Mrs. Clark Bar… you have a good mom!!! 🙂

    Lyndi

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    May 15, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    I agree. I live in NoVa and the Chicken Tortilla soup at the soup station is incredible. (Just had it for lunch today) It's my favorite Chicken Tortilla soup. There's a smokey flavor in the soup that you'll also find in some of the other chicken soups they sell.

    I've seen the recipe that you posted on the WF website and I'm 99% sure that will not produce the soup that they sell at the soup station. Thought the recipe sounds like a good base.

    Skip the pre-packaged version of this soup. It's not the same. I was very disappointed.

    Reply
    • nwafoodie says

      May 16, 2012 at 10:53 pm

      The recipe is pretty close! It does miss a bit of the smokey flavor that you mentioned. Add some adobo sauce and you will be good to go!

      Thanks for the pre-packaged tip!

      Lyndi

      Reply
  11. Kim says

    November 2, 2015 at 3:17 pm

    I also love this soup! But as a frequent consumer of the store-bought version, this is not the same recipe. I am on the hunt for it though. The store version has celery in it among other ingredients not in the recipe posted on their website.

    Reply
  12. Amy DaPonte says

    December 8, 2021 at 10:22 pm

    My family is also addicted to WF’s tortilla soup but, to our great dismay, this recipe did not taste like the original at all. We won’t be making it again.

    Reply
    • Lyndi Fultz says

      January 12, 2022 at 5:49 pm

      Bummer, sorry to hear you were disappointed!

      Reply

My name is Lyndi Fultz, and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, which span Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri.

I like to share small ideas for living simply and eating happily.

You will find that I talk a lot about food because we all need to eat. Why not add little bits of food joy where possible?

Read more

SJF social links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Newsletter signup

Please wait...

Thank you for signing up!

search categories

Search by Year

Trending posts

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

Lyndi Fultz

simplejoyfulfood

In pursuit of small joys that add simplicity to life. + @nwafoodie

There are signs of spring everywhere, and I am rea There are signs of spring everywhere, and I am ready for it! Yet..... that doesn't mean that I'm still hopeful for some cool mornings where we can light a fire!
So, you're at a restaurant, and this is your place So, you're at a restaurant, and this is your place setting. In what order do YOU proceed?

My answer in the comments - share yours!
There is something quite glorious about simplicity There is something quite glorious about simplicity. I'm really feeling it as Dennis and I sit here in our living room, next to the crackling fire. Full disclosure, this picture isn't me BUT I do have the exact same coffee cup. Anyoo, I'm reminded how wonderful it is to be still. Not that I ever forget that reminder, it's just easier to revel in it, next to a fire. With snow softing falling outside. You know what I mean?
My coffee routine is alllll over the place! Firs My coffee routine is alllll over the place! 

First, it was a percolator.
Then came the Breville coffee maker.
Next, along came a bodum pour over.
Quickly replaced by a French Press.
Then came an Aeropress.
Followed by a rediscovery of a favorite instant brand we enjoyed in Isreal.
Now, Aeropress is making a comeback. 
And our beloved LaVazza espresso.
Which tastes like vacation at the Sonnelap in Vail.

Am I the only one who does coffee in phases?

What's next?

Probably need an espresso maker!
Isn't it interesting how two things with the same Isn't it interesting how two things with the same word can convey entirely different moods?

Microwave turntable = quick, fast, speed

Record player turntable = slow, easy, chill

Both have their places. But man, oh man, I am finding myself craving more of the latter: slow, easy, chill. 

Now, to get a record player...
Arkansas Black Apples are in season, and the persi Arkansas Black Apples are in season, and the persimmon trees are loaded down hard. Even though many markets are closed for the season, there is still a bounty if we look around!

What seasonal goodies have you discovered lately?
Load More... Instagram

contact

lyndi@thejoyofeatingwell.com

inspiration

“Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences.” – Julia Child

Copyright 2025 thejoyofeatingwell