You’ve likely stopped in the pasta sauce aisle a million times to grab a jar of marinara, but I’m guessing you skipped over the Alfredo sauce section. Well, I’m here to tell you to go back and grab a jar. It’s the secret to this creamy Italian chicken flecked with sweet sun-dried tomatoes and wilted spinach, which comes together easily in the slow cooker and begs to be served over pasta.

This is just the kind of homey dinner that we all need a little more of as the days get shorter and colder.

A Creamy, Garlicky Chicken Dinner That Starts with a Jar of Sauce

While we love a good homemade Alfredo sauce, a little assistance from the grocery store is always appreciated on a busy weeknight. Since the chicken is going to soak up lots of flavor from the sauce as it cooks, opt for a good-quality one, such as Rao’s or Bertolli.

Sun-dried tomatoes add sweetness and texture, and they’ll plump up nicely while they simmer in the slow cooker. Feel free to use either the oil-packed or dry ones — just be sure to pat them dry if they’re in oil. Finish the chicken with baby spinach and a big squeeze of lemon juice for brightness and serve it over pasta for one seriously effortless dinner.