Chicken with Lemon Thyme Pesto

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 lbs meaty chicken pieces (breast bhalves, thighls, and drumsticks)
• salt and black pepper
• 1 1/3 cups lemon thyme (if you dont have lemon thyme, use 1 1/§ cup fresh thyme plus 2 teaspoons findly shredded lemon peel)
• 1/2 cup salted pistachio nut
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• lemon wedge

Directions

1. 1

   If desired, skin chicken.

2. 2

   Season with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   In a food processor or blender combine lemon thyme and pistachio nuts; cover and process or blend with several on/off turns until finely chopped.

4. 4

   With procesor or blender running, gradually drizzle in oil, stopping to scrape down sides as necessary.

5. 5

   Stir in freshly ground black pepper to taste.

6. 6

   Set aside.

7. 7

   For a charcoal grill, arrange medium hot coals around a drip pan.

8. 8

   Test for medium heat above pan.

9. 9

   Place chicken, bone side down, on a grill rack over drip pan.

10. 10

    For gas grill place chicken adjacent to heat source.

11. 11

    Cover and grill for 50 to 60 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (instant read thermometer reads 180°C for breasts or 180°C for thighs and drumsticks), turning chicken and brushing with half the pesto during the last 5 minutes of grillling.

12. 12

    Reserve remaining pesto for another use.

13. 13

    Serve with lemon wedges.