Vertical Skewer Pan: A Fun Chicken Twist
If you’re looking for a fun way to switch up your chicken dinners, a vertical skewer pan is such a great way to try something new. This unique pan lets you create shawarma-style chicken at home, turning a simple supper into something exciting, impressive, and full of flavor — with very little extra effort.
The best part? It looks major when it comes out of the oven, making it perfect for serving guests or adding something special to an ordinary weeknight dinner.
This idea was featured in this week’s Family First, and while it works beautifully for Pesach, it’s definitely not limited to Yom Tov. It’s an easy, versatile meal that can be enjoyed all year round.
Why We Love the Vertical Skewer Pan
One of the best things about using a vertical skewer pan is how versatile it is. You can experiment with endless marinades, vegetables, and toppings to create completely different flavor profiles every time.
It’s also surprisingly simple to prepare. Just stack the marinated chicken onto the skewer, add your topping of choice, and bake.
The result? Juicy, flavorful chicken with a fun presentation that feels restaurant-worthy without complicated prep.

Endless Flavor Possibilities
We used three different marinades for a colorful and delicious variety:
Sweet Hawaiian Style
Topped with a thick slice of pineapple for a sweet, caramelized finish.
Pesto Marinade
Finished with a whole Vidalia onion that roasts beautifully while the chicken cooks.
Smoked Paprika Marinade
Topped with a small sweet potato for extra flavor and color.
A Note About the Photo
We used three skewer pans in the photo to showcase different marinade ideas and create a fuller serving display, but for an average-size family dinner, one skewer pan is usually more than enough.
More Ways to Use It
Another great way to use a vertical skewer pan is to roast a whole chicken directly on the skewer. This method helps the chicken cook evenly while staying juicy and flavorful.
You can also serve the chicken shawarma-style with:
- Warm pita or laffa
- Israeli salad
- Cole slaw
- Hummus
- Pickles
- Fried onions
- Assorted sauces and dips
It instantly turns supper into an interactive, fun meal everyone loves.
Perfect for Pesach — and Beyond
While this is a fantastic idea for Pesach meals — whether for Erev Yom Tov, Yom Tov lunch, or Chol Hamoed — it’s definitely something you’ll want to use long after Yom Tov is over.
It’s easy enough for a casual family dinner, but impressive enough to serve company. And with so many marinade options, you can make it differently every single time.
Directions
- Marinate 10–12 chicken top cutlets or pargiyot with your favorite marinades.
- Stack the pieces onto the vertical skewer.
For a more even stack, you can trim the pieces as you layer them so they are uniform in size.
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F
4. Bake for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is fully cooked. Baste the chicken 1-3 times while its baking.
5. Slice the chicken thinly, the way shawarma is usually cut.
Photography by Sina Mizrahi
This article originally appeared in Family First





