Dump chicken in slow cooker for a dish so addictive, you think it's magic

As soon as the sultry summer air gets its first hints of fall chill, I start looking for slow cooker recipes. The best ones for me are those that require minimal prep work and can cook while I go about my day. This recipe for Crack Chicken is a favorite because it's all that as well as being just the kind of delicious comfort food my family loves.

It’s called Crack Chicken because it's as addictive as crack. To make it, you blanket shredded chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce that’s studded with bits of bacon and pumped up with ranch seasoning. In addition to being easy and delicious, this recipe has another benefit: Most of the ingredients are things you probably already have on hand, so you can prepare this exceptional dish without even making a special trip to the grocery store.

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 4 hrs, 10 minutes

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 1-ounce packet ranch dressing seasoning mix
1 16-ounce package cream cheese, cut into small pieces
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 scallions, thinly sliced

1. Arrange the chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer.

Sprinkle the dressing mix over the top.

2. Scatter the cream cheese pieces over the top of the chicken.

3. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily with a fork.

4. Use two forks to shred the chicken in the slow cooker, and then stir to mix everything together.

Add the shredded cheese, bacon and scallions.

5. Serve hot.