The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (2024)

  • Christmas Appetizers
  • Chicken Liver
  • French

Blended smooth to spread on bread or crackers, it's a hit at parties.

By

Elise Bauer

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated January 10, 2024

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (2)

13 ratings

Chicken liver pâté—looks atrocious, tastes great!

In fact, this is one of those instances where you pity the fool who refuses to eat something because it doesn't look appetizing. And then you're secretly happy because that means there's more for you.

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (3)

Chicken liver pâté is perfect for spreading over crackers or toasted thin baguette slices. And unlike so many of the pâtés we make that require a weighted terrine in a water bath, this one is easy to make and takes hardly any time.

How to Cook Chicken Livers

You just trim the chicken livers of their connective tissue, sauté them in butter with shallots, garlic, and capers, add a little brandy, and then purée with cream and a little more butter. It's best served chilled, and because of its richness, a little goes a long way.

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (4)

How Long Can You Store Chicken Liver Pâté?

Refrigerator: Refrigerate chicken liver pâté tightly covered for up to 1 week. To refrigerate it longer than 1 week but no longer than 1 month, pour a little melted lard or clarified butter on top to seal. Each time you dip into the pâté, you will need to reseal the top to preserve it.

Freezer: Tightly wrap leftover pâté in plastic wrap and then place it in a layer of foil, a freezer- safe zipper bag, or an airtight freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw the pâté overnight in the refrigerator.

Party Appetizers to Serve with Chicken Liver Pâté

  • Asparagus and Ricotta Bruschetta
  • Easiest Ever Garlic Bread
  • Caramelized Onion Tart with Gorgonzola and Brie
  • Gouda and Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Mediterranean Mezze Platter

From the Editors Of Simply Recipes

Chicken Liver Pâté

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Servings16 servings

If you want, you can soak the chicken livers in milk for an hour or so before proceeding with the recipe. Soaking the livers in milk will take a bit of the edge off the liver and make them taste milder. This recipe makes a lot. You can easily halve (or double).

Ingredients

Special Equipment

  • Food processor

Method

  1. Trim the connective tissue andfat:

    Trim any fat or connective tissue from the livers and discard.

    The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (5)

    The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (6)

  2. Brown the butter:

    Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large sauté pan on medium heat and let the butter brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it burn.

    How to Make Brown ButterREAD MORE:
  3. Sauté the shallots and livers:

    Add the shallots and sauté for 1 minute. Add the livers. Be sure to space them well in the pan so they can brown more easily. Sprinkle salt over the livers. Flip the livers when one side browns, about 2 minutes.

    The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (7)

  4. Add the capers, thyme, garlic, and anchovy paste:

    Once the livers have browned, add the capers, thyme, garlic, and anchovy paste if using, and sauté another minute.

  5. Deglaze the pan with brandy:

    Take the pan off the heat and add the brandy. (Be careful when you return it to the heat, as it could flame up, especially if you are using a gas range. If it does, cover the pan for a moment.) Increase the heat to high and let the brandy boil and reduce to the consistency of syrup, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the mixture to cool.

    The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (8)

  6. Purée in a food processor:

    Put the mixture into a food processor or blender and pulse a few times to combine. Add the remaining butter and the cream and purée. The mixture will look a little loose, but it will firm up in the fridge.

  7. Place into ramekins and chill:

    Pack the pâté into ramekins or a small bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before using.

    The pâté will last a week or so in the fridge. If you want to preserve it for up to a month, pour a little melted lard or clarified butter on top to seal. Each time you dip into the pâté, you will need to reseal the top to preserve it.

    Serve spread on crackers or baguette slices.

    Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know with a rating and review!

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (9)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
108Calories
8g Fat
1g Carbs
7g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories108
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g10%
Saturated Fat 4g21%
Cholesterol 175mg58%
Sodium 85mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 1g0%
Dietary Fiber 0g1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 8mg42%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 3mg19%
Potassium 92mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

The Smoothest, Most Delicious Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe Is Right Here (2024)

FAQs

How long will chicken liver pate keep in the fridge? ›

Refrigerator: Refrigerate chicken liver pâté tightly covered for up to 1 week. To refrigerate it longer than 1 week but no longer than 1 month, pour a little melted lard or clarified butter on top to seal. Each time you dip into the pâté, you will need to reseal the top to preserve it.

How healthy is chicken liver pate? ›

Chicken liver is made up of about 25% protein, with a moderate level of fat and minimal carbohydrate. It is wonderfully high in B12 (100g provides 287% of the RDA), vitamin A, folate, vitamin B2, selenium and iron. It also contains good levels of phosphorous, zinc and copper.

How do you make chicken livers not bitter? ›

Chicken livers are a cheap but nutritious type of meat. To prevent them from tasting bitter and to make sure they cook properly, it's important to clean them correctly before you cook them. Soaking the livers in cold water and then removing any connective tissue will give you clean livers that are ready to cook.

What is the most important meat in pâté? ›

Traditionally made with liver, and mixed with wine and spices until it's cooked down into a spreadable texture, pâté can also be created with liver or other parts of pork, venison, chicken, fish, duck and other game, and even created with veggies on occasion.

Why is my chicken liver pate bitter? ›

After the milk is removed from the refrigerator, it will be pink from the blood removed from the livers. Blood can give the pâté a bitter taste.

Can I freeze home made chicken liver pate? ›

Storing and freezing

Keep the Chicken Liver Pate in the fridge for up to 3 days. Feel free to freeze this pate. Add to an airtight container and seal it. Keep in the freezer for up to a month.

Can you eat liver pâté every day? ›

Liver and liver products

If you eat liver or liver products every week, you may be having more than the recommended amount of vitamin A per day and you may want to cut down. This is particularly important if you have been through the menopause or are an older man because you have a higher risk of bone fracture.

Can I eat chicken liver every day? ›

Not safe daily due to vitamin A content. Assesement of mineral nutrients, heavy metals and pesticides in poultry liver using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Is chicken liver pate full of iron? ›

Livers are also loaded with iron to give you energy and a treasure trove of certain B vitamins, most notably B12. This nutritional profile makes them a good choice for anyone prone to anaemia. Chicken livers are also one of the top sources of vitamin A, which helps eye health.

What makes the liver taste better? ›

Soak Liver in Lemon Juice Or Milk

After it's done soaking, pat the liver dry with clean paper towels and cook it however you'd like. Soaking liver in an acid can help cut down on some of the metallic or “iron” taste common in beef and lamb liver.

How can I make my liver more flavorful? ›

Liver has a distinct and strong flavor that is tough for some to get over. Cooking it with pungent foods really tones down the "liverness" of the dish. To Do: I believe onions and garlic are almost a necessity when cooking liver. Also try bacon, chilies, and aromatic herbs like thyme or sage.

Why soak chicken livers in milk? ›

This is because buttermilk (and milk in general) contains calcium. The alkaline calcium interacts with chicken liver and tempers its acidic nature to leave a mild-tasting liver. Milk also helps remove any blood left in the liver, making it taste less metallic.

What is the most famous pâté? ›

Since then, goose liver pate has been regarded as the greatest dish of the French cuisine. Nowadays, duck liver pate, another kind of foie gras, is winning more and more people's hearts around the world.

What is smooth pâté? ›

A smooth paté made with a mixture of pureed poultry, pork or veal livers, eggs and a panada that's then baked in a water bath. The mixture is often processed through a sieve to achieve a super smooth texture.

What is the most expensive pâté? ›

Foie Gras. Perhaps the most expensive delicacy in the world is foie gras, a pate made of goose or duck liver. It has a soft, smooth texture and is exceptionally delicious.

How do you know if chicken liver pate is off? ›

If the liver paté comes into contact with oxygen and light, an oxidation process takes place and the product can turn grey or take on a green colour. Only the outer layer takes on the grey/green hue. If you cut the sausage strand, you can see the typical light pink colour in the middle.

Does liver pate go bad? ›

When does Pate expire? Unopened commercial Pate from the grocery store typically has a best before date printed that lasts around 1-2 years when kept in a cool, dry place like a pantry. Once it's opened, it should be refrigerated and consume within 3-5 days.

Can you eat pate after 3 days? ›

After opening the package, we recommend consuming the pâté within 5-7 days. Each slice of Alexian Pâté is stamped with a sell-by date on the back of the package. We suggest consuming it within 5-7 days of the sell-by date listed. Alexian pâtés should always be stored in the refrigerator.

How long is chicken liver good in the fridge? ›

For raw ground meats, poultry, seafood and variety meats (liver, tongue, chitterlings, etc.), refrigerate them only 1 to 2 days before either cooking or freezing. Beef, veal, lamb and pork roasts, steaks and chops may be kept 3 to 5 days.

References

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