*Optional: you can heat some oil in a skillet and brown the chicken, then remove the chicken and saute the vegetables before throwing in the slow cooker if you desired. It will add another layer of flavor, but I always figure if I'm going to do that I should just cook the whole stew in the dutch oven.
Place the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, parsley, thyme, pepper and bay leaf in a 4-6 quart crockpot. Stir.
Place the chicken on top. Whisk the corn starch into the broth and pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or 2.5-3 hours on high, until potatoes are tender.
Remove chicken and shred. Stir back in with the peas.
Garnish with fresh parsley and adjust seasonings to taste. Serve.
