Chicken Liver Pâté

This classic chicken liver pâté is so easy to make at home, and is the perfect appetizer for parties and gatherings! This is best made the night before.

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Why You’ll Love My Recipe

Rich, creamy, and full of flavor, this Chicken Liver Pâté is a must-try for any appetizer lover! Spread it on crispy crackers or toasted bread and top with your favorite sweet and savory additions. It’s a classic appetizer that’s simple to make, but sure to wow everyone at your table!

Round out your appetizer table with my Smoky Bacon Deviled Eggs, Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Drizzle, and Cranberry Jalapeno Dip – these bites will vanish in no time!

Karlynn’s Recipe Notes

  • Skill Level: This recipe is easy and delicious! It’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a quick, impressive appetizer.
  • Total Time: You can whip this pâté up in 35 minutes from start to finish.
  • Variations: Chicken Liver Pâté can be customized with endless toppings. Try a hint of sweetness with my Homemade Raspberry Jam Using Honey, or use apricot jam (my personal favorite)! Serve it with crackers, warm White Bread, or a delicious Cheesy Onion Bread for a platter that’s impossible to resist.
  • Tools For This Recipe: You will need a large skillet, a spatula or spoon for stirring, a food processor, and ramekins for serving!

What You’ll Need for Ingredients

Chicken Livers: Use a 1/2 pound of livers, trimmed of fat and connective tissue, for the smoothest pâté texture. Karlynn’s Tip: Make sure to pat them dry before cooking for the best sear and taste.

Scallions: Large diced scallions pair beautifully with minced garlic for a fragrant pâté base. Karlynn’s Tip: Slice them thinly for a more subtle taste that blends seamlessly into the spread.

Cognac: While decidedly more expensive, cognac adds the classic French flavor that makes this pâté so indulgent. Karlynn’s Tip: You can swap in your favorite brandy for a more budget-friendly option – it still tastes amazing!

Butter: Using cubed butter adds richness and helps create a silky, smooth texture. Karlynn’s Tip: You can use salted or unsalted butter, but taste before adding extra salt to avoid over-seasoning!

How To Make Chicken Liver Pâté

This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add in the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Sauté until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes
  3. Add in the chicken livers, and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
  4. Cook the livers, stirring until they’re brown on the outside and light pink on the inside. Ensure the livers reach the USDA safe internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. Pour the cognac into the pan and deglaze, scraping the bottom to remove any browned bits. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to help evaporate some of the cognac.
  6. Add the chicken liver mixture to a food processor. Pulse it a few times to combine.
  7. Add the remaining butter, one cube at a time, and purée. Taste your pâté, and add salt to taste.
  8. Place into ramekins and refrigerate!

Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken Liver Pâté

  • Blend to Perfection: Use a food processor or high-speed blender to make your pâté silky smooth. Scrape the sides frequently to ensure everything blends evenly!
  • Chill Before Serving: Let the pâté cool completely in the fridge, ideally overnight. This helps the flavors develop, and the texture firms up perfectly.
  • Get Creative: Have fun with your toppings! Try fruity jams for a salty-sweet twist, or go savory with thinly sliced cucumbers, pickled beets, fried onions, or even crispy bacon.

Storage Instructions

This pâté gets even better after a night in the fridge! The extra time brings all the elements together, giving you a rich, creamy, and flavorful appetizer.

Refrigerator: Store your Chicken Liver Pâté in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For the best taste, enjoy within 4 days!

Freezer: If you want to save some for later, this pâté freezes well. Store it in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months, following USDA food safety guidelines. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

More Delicious Appetizer Recipes

If you love crowd-pleasing Appetizers, you’ll want to try these favorites next:

There you have it, folks! A creamy, flavorful Chicken Liver Pâté that’s ready to wow your guests.

Make it ahead, add your favorite toppings, and watch it disappear! Give this recipe a try and share how your batch turned out in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear how you made this pâté your own.

Happy Cooking!

Karlynn

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Chicken Liver Pâté

This classic chicken liver pâté is so easy to make at home, and is the perfect appetizer for parties and gatherings! This is best made the night before.
No ratings yet
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Servings: 1 cup
Calories: 1498

Ingredients 

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 2 large scallions, diced
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic,
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary leaves
  • ½ pound chicken livers, trimmed of fat and connective tissue
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons cognac , or brandy
  • ½ cup butter, cubed

Instructions 

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter. Add in the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, thyme, and rosemary leaves. Sauté until fragrant, around 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the chicken livers. Sprinkle the livers with sea salt and pepper. Cook the livers, stirring until the chicken livers are brown on the outside and light pink on the inside.
  • Pour the cognac into the pan and deglaze it, scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring to help evaporate some of the cognac, then remove from the heat.
  • Transfer the chicken liver mixture to a food processor.
  • Pulse a few times to combine. Add the remaining butter, a cube at a time, and purée. Taste test, and salt if desired. The mixture will be like a batter and not solid, but will solidify in the refrigerator.
  • Place into ramekins and refrigerate, covered, for up to 4 days. This recipe yields around 1 cup of pate.
  • Serve on toasted baguettes, crackers or toast points.

Notes

  • Try serving with a dollop of your favorite jam on top. The sweet is an excellent pairing with the liver. My personal favorite is cherry preserves.
  • If you use salted butter, taste test before adding any salt at the end

Nutrition

Calories: 1498kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 137g | Saturated Fat: 84g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 35g | Trans Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1117mg | Sodium: 2328mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 29113IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 21mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

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