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Get ready to level up your “marry me” game! This marry me salmon recipe combines pan-seared salmon with a creamy parmesan sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. So flavorful and savory, this dish will garner proposals and relief on busy evenings when a quick dinner is needed!

See recipe card below for full list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions.
Why This Recipe is So Good
- Everything cooks in the same skillet, so you get restaurant-quality results with minimal cleanup. It’s super ideal for those hectic weeknight dinners when you want something special but don’t have time for complicated cooking.
- From start to finish, this salmon goes from raw to swoon-worthy in under an hour (like 25 minutes). The salmon gets perfectly cooked while the sauce comes together in the same pan—talk about efficiency!
- When it comes to marry me salmon recipes, everyone will love our version of this dish, and I mean EVERYONE. The rich Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and basil is sophisticated enough for adults but approachable enough that your kiddos will ask for seconds. It’s comfort food that’s practical but feels fancy!
A Note from Cheryl
Marry me chicken became a culinary sensation, and I love it myself, making this dish for hubby (and family) all the time! If you’re also marry me crazy like I am, here’s a running list of ALL our most popular marry me dishes. Enjoy!
- Whole30 Marry Me Chicken (Paleo, Dairy Free)
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Marry Me Chicken Salad
- Marry Me Chicken (Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce)
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Marry-Me 7 Layer Dip
- Creamy Marry Me Chicken Casserole
The best sides that pair beautifully with the flavors of a marry me dish are Roasted Radishes with Garlic Browned Butter, The Best EVER Risotto Recipe, Easy Sauteed Zucchini, or Pan Fried Potatoes.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
- Cook the salmon skin-side down first to get that gorgeous golden, crispy skin, then build the creamy sauce in the same pan using all those delicious browned bits for maximum flavor.
- To make a successful recipe for marry me salmon, watch the salmon carefully as it cooks, as it’s best when it’s still slightly pink in the center. It’ll continue cooking a bit from residual heat, so err on the side of underdone rather than overdone.
- Little-known secret: every batch of sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan varies in saltiness, so always taste your sauce before serving and adjust seasoning as needed. You want to ensure your sauce zings with flavor without overpowering anyone at the dinner table.
- Don’t skip out on allowing your cream to sit at room temperature: This prevents the sauce from breaking when you add it to the warm pan. Cold cream mixed with hot liquid can cause the sauce to curdle, ruining your dinner!
More Delicious Salmon Recipes
- Lemon Pepper Salmon
- Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (2 Ways)
- Salmon and Veggies Sheet Pan Meal with Hot Honey and Yogurt Sauce
- Salmon Wellington
- Hot Honey Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Jerk Salmon with Mango Salsa
- Sous Vide Salmon
- Salmon Rice Bowl (TikTok Recipe)
- Teriyaki Sesame Salmon Hibachi with Fried Rice and Vegetables
- Salmon Meuniere
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions or variations listed are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Marry Me Salmon
Equipment
- Large skillet (preferably stainless steel or cast iron)
- chef's knife
- Cutting board
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 4 fillets salmon
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth see notes
- ½ cup heavy cream at, or close to room temperature
- ⅓ cup grated fresh parmesan cheese at room temperature
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes see notes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes see notes
- fresh basil chiffonaded, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the salmon fillets liberally with seasoning salt or salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon avocado oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add salmon skin-side down and cook about 4 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook 2 to 4 minutes more until desired doneness. Transfer to plate and wipe out excess oil.
- Return skillet to medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon butter. When melted, add 2 to 3 cloves minced garlic and sauté 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add ¾ cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Whisk in ½ cup heavy cream, then sprinkle in ⅓ cup grated fresh parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
- Return to medium-low heat and add ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Return salmon to pan and spoon sauce over top. Garnish with fresh basil chiffonade and serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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