This Golden Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Peas Tray Bake is an easy, comforting one-pan dinner packed with juicy chicken, sweet green peas, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and a rich golden sauce. Everything cooks together on one tray, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
The chicken develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior while staying tender and juicy inside. Sun-dried tomatoes add a delicious sweet-and-tangy flavor, while peas bring freshness and natural sweetness. A creamy, garlicky sauce ties everything together and creates plenty of flavor for spooning over rice, potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6 boneless chicken thighs
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For the Tray Bake
- ¾ cup sun-dried tomatoes, preferably packed in oil and roughly chopped
- 1 ½ cups frozen or fresh green peas
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or cooking cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the chicken brown beautifully instead of steaming in the oven.
If using chicken breasts that are very thick, carefully slice them horizontally or gently pound them to an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly and prevents the thinner portions from becoming dry before the thickest part is fully cooked.
Place the chicken in a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Rub the seasoning thoroughly over both sides of each piece of chicken.
Set the seasoned chicken aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Thinly slice the onion and mince the garlic.
Drain the sun-dried tomatoes if they are packed in oil, reserving a little of the flavorful oil if desired. Roughly chop the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
If using frozen peas, there is no need to thaw them first. They can go directly into the tray.
Fresh peas can also be used and will add a particularly bright, sweet flavor.
Step 3: Make the Golden Sauce
In a bowl, combine the chicken broth, heavy cream, tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, paprika, and oregano.
Whisk until the tomato paste is incorporated and the mixture looks smooth.
Add the minced garlic and lemon juice.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with a little salt and black pepper.
The sauce should taste savory, creamy, slightly tangy, and richly seasoned. Remember that the Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes will add additional salt and flavor as they cook.
Step 4: Assemble the Tray
Choose a large, deep baking tray or oven-safe casserole dish that allows the chicken pieces to sit without being crowded.
Scatter the sliced onion across the bottom of the tray.
Add approximately half of the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and half of the peas.
Place the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the vegetables.
Pour the golden cream sauce around the chicken rather than completely covering the tops. Keeping some of the chicken exposed allows the surface to brown beautifully during baking.
Scatter the remaining sun-dried tomatoes and peas around the chicken.
For an extra burst of flavor, drizzle a small amount of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil over the chicken.
Step 5: Bake the Chicken
Place the tray in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 25–35 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken pieces.
Chicken breasts may take a little longer if they are thick, while smaller chicken thighs may cook more quickly.
Halfway through cooking, carefully spoon some of the sauce over the chicken.
Continue baking until the chicken is golden on top and cooked through.
The safest way to check doneness is with an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
If the chicken is cooked through but the top has not developed enough color, place the tray under the broiler for approximately 1–2 minutes. Watch it carefully because the Parmesan and cream sauce can brown quickly.
Step 6: Rest the Chicken
Once the tray bake is finished, remove it from the oven.
Allow the chicken to rest for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
This short resting period helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in more tender and juicy chicken.
During this time, the sauce will also thicken slightly.
Step 7: Finish With Fresh Herbs
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the entire tray.
For extra brightness, add another small squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
You can also sprinkle a little freshly grated Parmesan over the top for an extra cheesy finish.
The combination of creamy golden sauce, colorful peas, red sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh green parsley makes this tray bake look just as delicious as it tastes.
Step 8: Serve
Spoon some of the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over each piece of chicken.
This dish pairs wonderfully with:
- Steamed white rice
- Basmati rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted baby potatoes
- Creamy mashed cauliflower
- Buttered pasta
- Crusty garlic bread
- Couscous
- Quinoa
- A simple green salad
Rice is especially good because it absorbs the flavorful golden sauce.
For a lighter meal, serve the chicken alongside a crisp cucumber salad, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli.
Helpful Tips for the Best Chicken Tray Bake
Use evenly sized chicken pieces
If your chicken breasts vary greatly in thickness, the smaller pieces may become dry before the larger ones are cooked. Pound thick breasts to an even thickness or use chicken thighs for an especially juicy result.
Don’t skip the seasoning
Chicken benefits from generous seasoning, especially when it is paired with a creamy sauce. Paprika, garlic, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper create a flavorful crust on the chicken.
Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes are especially flavorful and tender. Their oil can also be used to add another layer of Mediterranean-style flavor to the dish.
Don’t overcrowd the tray
Give the chicken and vegetables enough room for heat to circulate. A crowded tray can cause the chicken to steam rather than brown.
Watch the sauce
The sauce should remain creamy and flavorful as it cooks. If it becomes too thick, add a small splash of chicken broth toward the end of cooking.
Let the chicken rest
Resting for a few minutes after baking makes a noticeable difference in texture and helps keep the chicken juicy.
Easy Variations
Add Spinach
For an extra serving of vegetables, add a few handfuls of baby spinach during the final 5 minutes of cooking. The spinach will wilt into the warm creamy sauce.
Add Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms are an excellent addition. Add them to the tray with the onions and sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper savory flavor.
Make It Extra Cheesy
Add mozzarella, provolone, or extra Parmesan during the final few minutes of baking. Allow the cheese to melt and become lightly golden.
Add Red Bell Pepper
Sliced red bell pepper adds sweetness, color, and freshness to the tray bake.
Use Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent choice when you want especially tender chicken. They are more forgiving if slightly overcooked than chicken breast.
Make It Spicy
Add ¼–½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for a gentle kick.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
When reheating, warm the chicken gently in a covered skillet or microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
The dish can also be portioned with rice or vegetables for convenient make-ahead lunches.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This golden sun-dried tomato chicken tray bake checks all the boxes for an easy family dinner. It requires minimal preparation, uses one main baking dish, and delivers a rich combination of creamy, savory, tangy, and fresh flavors.
The chicken becomes beautifully golden while the sun-dried tomatoes soften into the sauce. The peas add pops of sweetness and color, while garlic, Parmesan, herbs, and lemon create depth.
Best of all, most of the preparation happens directly in the baking tray, which means less time standing at the stove and fewer dishes to wash afterward.
Final Result
When finished, you should have tender, golden chicken surrounded by creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, sweet green peas, soft onions, and fragrant garlic. The Parmesan gives the sauce a rich savory finish, while lemon and fresh parsley keep the dish tasting bright rather than heavy.
Serve it straight from the tray with warm crusty bread, fluffy rice, or creamy mashed potatoes for an easy dinner that feels comforting, colorful, and restaurant-worthy.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25–35 minutes
Total Time: About 45–50 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy