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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes

    Published: Sep 12, 2018 · Modified: Mar 21, 2023 by Jen Wooster

    Swimming Rama

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    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.
    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.
    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.
    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.
    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.

    It is a weeknight, you're busy. Let’s get takeout. Or NOT! Let’s Fake Out the Take Out! We are loving this healthy swimming rama recipe made with rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It takes less than 15 minutes!

    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce and chopsticks.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    Jump to:
    • What is Swimming Rama?
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Make Swimming Rama
    • Step 4- Serve
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 🌡️Storing Leftovers
    • More Quick Chicken Dinner Recipes
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    What is Swimming Rama?

    It typically is steamed or poached chicken served with sauteed spinach over white rice with a Thai peanut sauce.

    Here in Ohio I often see it called Rama Thai or Praram Lhong Srong. But I have also seen it called Khao Phra Ram Long Song. Thai food is high on my list of favorite cuisines.

    There are so many naturally gluten-free dishes that I base many of my recipes on these traditional Thai flavors. From my spicy pumpkin soup to vegetarian green curry, and of course my gluten-free pad Thai with shrimp, I really can't get enough.

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    How in the world do we make this in less than 15 minutes? I rely on store-bought pre-prepped healthy ingredients including rotisserie chicken, bagged spinach, and pre-cut broccoli florets plus my quick and easy homemade peanut sauce with a couple of pantry staples.

    And while you can serve this dish over white rice or even leftover sushi rice, I prefer to serve mine with broccoli. My favorite Thai restaurant does this and I love having the extra veggies.

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    Chicken- I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for this recipe. But you can poach your own chicken breast. You can also swap out the protein for pressed tofu or thinly sliced pork (cook first).

    Spinach- Use fresh spinach, not frozen.

    Broccoli- You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. This ingredient is optional. But if you want more veggies try adding a red bell pepper for extra color.

    Peanut Butter- I prefer lightly salted natural peanut butter but you can also use creamy peanut butter.

    Coconut Milk- Regular or light coconut milk. Do not use coconut cream.

    Soy Sauce- To keep things GF I use tamari (gluten-free soy sauce) but you can use regular if you like. Use coconut aminos to keep it soy free.

    Fish Sauce

    Lime Juice

    Rice Vinegar

    Aromatics- Fresh garlic, lots of ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes.

    Some recipes use a little red curry paste in their sauce. In an effort to keep things simple I used red chili flakes for heat.

    Paleo Variation

    To make this recipe paleo simply swap out the peanut butter for almond butter. I don't use any sugar in the recipe.

    ⏲️How to Make Swimming Rama

    florets. While the water is coming to temperature let's get started on the sauce.

    Step 1- Peanut Sauce

    Place all the sauce ingredients in a blender, and puree until smooth. Add the sauce to a small saucepan and heat over low heat until it is warmed through.

    Step 2- Prep the Chicken

    Remove the skin from the chicken and pull off the meat. Thinly slice the chicken. Arrange on a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm.

    Shredding chicken and broccoli in a steamer basket.

    Step 3- Prep the Veggies

    Add the broccoli to the steamer basket. Once the broccoli is cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Add the bag of spinach right on top. Cover for 30-60 seconds, until just wilted. Arrange on your serving platter.

    If you aren't making the broccoli, you can just steam the spinach. Or you can saute. Just add a teaspoon of olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the spinach and stir constantly until wilted.

    Step 4- Serve

    Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and serve the rest on the side. Garnish with fresh Thai chilis, chili garlic sauce, cilantro, or sesame seeds. Serve on its own or with sushi rice, quinoa, or riced cauliflower.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

    To make this part of your weekly meal prep, blanch the broccoli, and prep the chicken and the sauce. When ready to eat simply reheat the chicken directly in the sauce, sauté the broccoli and add the spinach at the last minute.

    Chicken and spinach on a plate with sauce.

    🌡️Storing Leftovers

    Spinach is best eaten the day it is cooked. The chicken, broccoli, and peanut sauce can be mixed together and stored in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.

    More Quick Chicken Dinner Recipes

    • Chicken on a plate with asado marinade and cilantro leaves.
      Pollo Asado (Chipotle Copycat)
    • grilled huli huli chicken on a platter
      Huli Huli Chicken Kabobs
    • Chicken piccata in a saute pan with lemon slices.
      Gluten-Free Chicken Piccata
    • blackened chicken sandwich on a plate
      Blackened Chicken Sandwich

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    What brand of gluten-free fish sauce do you recommend?

    I use Red Boat fish sauce, but feel free to use whatever brand you can find at your local grocery store.

    Is swimming rama sauce the same as Thai peanut sauce?

    It depends on the recipe but the sauce I use for swimming rama is the same as my gluten-free Thai peanut sauce recipe.

    📖 Recipe

    Paleo swimming rama thai take out on white plate grey tablecloth

    Swimming Rama

    Fake Out the Takeout! This swimming rama recipe only takes 15 minutes. Use a rotisserie chicken to make this fresh and easy dish. So flavorful!
    Servings: 6 servings
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 10 mins
    Total: 15 mins
    5 from 7 votes
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    Equipment

    • Large saucepan
    • Blender
    • Serving platter

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 rotisserie chicken
    • 12 oz broccoli florets
    • 5 oz baby spinach
    • optional garnishes cilantro, chili oil, thai chili peppers, sesame seeds

    Swimming Rama Sauce

    • 1 cup coconut milk, canned
    • ½ cup peanut butter, all-natural or natural almond butter
    • 1 inch piece ginger peeled
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 Tablespoons tamari gluten free soy sauce
    • 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
    • ½ lime juiced
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Remove the skin from the chicken and pull the chicken from the bones and arrange on a large platter. Cover with foil to keep warm.
      1 rotisserie chicken
    • In a large sauce pan bring one inch of water to boil. Add steamer basket and broccoli and cover. Steam for 6 minutes or until broccoli is fork tender.  Add spinach on top of the broccoli and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until spinach is just wilted. Arrange broccoli and spinach on the platter. Remove steamer basket and drain water, return pot to stove.
      12 oz broccoli florets, 5 oz baby spinach
    • While the broccoli is cooking prepare the sauce. Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor. Blend 1 minute or until smooth.
      1 cup coconut milk, canned, ½ cup peanut butter, all-natural, 1 inch piece ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons tamari gluten free soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons fish sauce, ½ lime, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • Add sauce to a dry pan and cook on medium heat until it boils. Taste for heat and add more red pepper, if needed.
      optional garnishes cilantro, chili oil, thai chili peppers, sesame seeds
    Rate this Recipe

    Video

    Notes

    • Sub steamed or poached chicken breast if rotisserie chicken isn't available.
    • For quick prep I used washed and bagged broccoli and spinach.
    • Frozen broccoli can be substituted and is optional. 
    • Serve over rice, if desired. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 438kcal | Carbs: 12g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 30g | Fiber: 5g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Main Course
    Cuisine: Thai
    Keyword broccoli, Chicken, copycat, One Pot, swimming rama, takeout, thai
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Romina says

      January 03, 2020 at 4:22 am

      5 stars
      I love how quick this is, and that sauce is amazing!

      Reply
    2. Tawnie K Kroll says

      January 03, 2020 at 12:27 am

      5 stars
      This sauce is delicious- yum! Great recipe.

      Reply
    3. Anita says

      January 02, 2020 at 10:44 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great way to enjoy store-bought rotisserie chicken! So quick and easy and yummy!

      Reply
    4. Krissy Allori says

      January 02, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is a quick, easy meal that you can feel good about making for you and your family. Delicious!!

      Reply
    5. Gavin says

      January 02, 2020 at 9:22 pm

      5 stars
      So delish and healthy looking. I can see the family demolishing this at the weekend

      Reply
    6. Bryan says

      September 12, 2018 at 12:39 pm

      I am going to cook this this week! De-Lish!

      Reply
    7. Kimmy Ripley says

      September 12, 2018 at 12:32 pm

      Now that is my kind of dinner! I would love a plate of this. Well done!

      Reply

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    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

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