Chicken Liver Pâté Recipe

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.

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.

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 serve chilled, and because of its richness, a little goes a long way.

Chicken Liver Pâté

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 16 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 more mild. This recipe makes a lot. You can easily halve (or double).

6 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
1/3 cup minced shallot
1 pound chicken livers
Salt
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp capers
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
1/4 cup brandy
1/4 cup cream

Trim connective tissue and fat

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

Elise Bauer

Elise Bauer
Brown the butter

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

Elise Bauer
Add capers, thyme, garlic, anchovy paste

Once the livers have browned, add the capers, thyme, garlic, and anchovy paste if using, and sauté another minute.
Deglaze 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 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat and allow the mixture to cool.

Elise Bauer
Pulse in food processor, add butter, cream

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.
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 putter 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.