There are some dishes that just evoke coziness — mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and this creamy chicken soup. Made in the slow cooker, with help from store-bought staples like gnocchi and boxed chicken broth, this soup is almost too easy to throw together. Make a batch ASAP and let its comforting powers work their magic on you.

In the morning before you leave for the day, place some boneless, skinless chicken breasts, mirepoix (chopped onions, celery, and carrots), dried basil, Italian seasoning, poultry seasoning, salt, and chicken broth in your slow cooker. Set it on low for six to eight hours — depending on your work or school schedule — and then add cornstarch (dissolved in water), evaporated milk, and the gnocchi. You'll have to cook this for another hour.

While the soup finishes up in the slow cooker, you can crisp up some bacon in a pan and then sauté spinach and garlic in the bacon grease left behind. This lends some extra richness and a fresh element to the soup, which can otherwise be a little one-note.

Creamy soup, tender chicken, crispy bacon — is there anything better? I don't think so.