A method for forming strained epitaxial carbon-doped silicon (Si) films, for example as raised source and drain regions for electronic devices. The method includes providing a structure having an epitaxial Si surface and a patterned film, non-selectively depositing a carbon-doped Si film onto the structure, the carbon-doped Si film containing an epitaxial carbon-doped Si film deposited onto the epitaxial Si surface and a non-epitaxial carbon-doped Si film deposited onto the patterned film, and non-selectively depositing a Si film on the carbon-doped Si film, the Si film containing an epitaxial Si film deposited onto the epitaxial carbon-doped Si film and a non-epitaxial Si film deposited onto the non-epitaxial carbon-doped Si film. The method further includes dry etching away the non-epitaxial Si film, the non-epitaxial carbon-doped Si film, and less than the entire epitaxial Si film to form a strained epitaxial carbon-doped Si film on the epitaxial Si surface.