N’awlins Jambalaya

• 2 boxes of Zatarain’s Jambalaya Mix or Red Beans & Rice mix 
• 5 cups water 
• ¼ stick butter 
• ½ cup sliced green onions (optional) 
• 1 lb boneless chicken breasts 
• 1 lb smoked sausage or ham 
• ½ lb small or medium-size cooked peeled shrimp (optional) 
• Tabasco sauce

Boil chicken breasts in water until white and cooked through.  Remove chicken, save water and add the rice mixes and butter; return to a boil, let boil for one minute, then reduce heat to low and cover.   Simmer for 15 minutes and stir occasionally.  Meanwhile, dice chicken and sausage.  If also using shrimp, soak them in a bowl of cold water to thaw.  When the rice mix starts to thicken, add the chicken, sausage, shrimp, and onions.  Simmer for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally.  Say “oooWEEE!” as you add a dash of Tabasco.