Marlon Brando's Chicken Cacciatore
Marlon Brando's indulgent Italian-American chicken cacciatore - a rustic hunter-style braise loaded with vegetables, wine, and flavor
Hunter-Style Indulgence
Marlon Brando was known for his indulgent approach to food, and chicken cacciatore perfectly embodies that spirit. This loaded Italian-American version is packed with vegetables, wine, and rich flavors - exactly the kind of dish Brando would have enjoyed.
According to Al Pacino, Brando was so comfortable eating this dish that he’d finish by wiping his hands on the white sheets he was sitting on - a testament to how delicious and hands-on this meal is meant to be.
What is Cacciatore?
Cacciatore literally means “hunter-style.” The idea is a rustic countryside braise: meat cooked with what hunters had around — wine, herbs, onions, sometimes tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms depending on region and era. That’s why there are countless versions: it’s a method, not a fixed recipe. The core ingredients are chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and wine, with endless variations building from there.
Recipes from this Episode
Marlon Brando's Chicken Cacciatore
Indulgent Italian-American hunter-style chicken braised with charred peppers, mushrooms, olives, and red wine in a rich tomato sauce