Is it possible to productionize Python code in a .NET/C# environment without installing Python and without converting the Python code to C#, i.e. just deploy the code as is?
I know installing the Python language would be the reasonable thing to do but my hesitation is that I just don't want to introduce a new language to my production environment and deal with its testing and maintenance complications, since I don't have enough manpower who know Python to take care of these issues.
I know IronPython is built on CLR, but don't know how exactly it can be hosted and maintained inside .NET. Does it enable one to treat PYthon code as a "package" that can be imported into C# code, without actually installing Python as a standalone language? How can IronPython make my life easier in this situation? Can python.net give me more leverage?
IronPython is limited compared to running Python with C based libraries needing the Python Interpreter, not the .NET DLR. I suppose it depends how you are using the Python code, if you want to use a lot of third party python libraries, i doubt that IronPython will fit your needs.
What about building a full Python application but running it all from Docker? 
That would require your environments to have Docker installed, but you could then also deploy your .NET applications using Docker too, and they would all be isolated and not dirty your 'environment'.
There are base docker images out there that are specifically for Building Python and .NET Project and also for running.
Running Python Code in .NET Environment without Installing Python