Prepare ingredients (5 minutes): Wash and pat dry chicken pieces. Dice onion, chop carrots and celery, cube potatoes, and mince garlic. Remove skin from chicken if desired for healthier option.
Season chicken (3 minutes): In a large bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub seasoning mixture all over chicken pieces, ensuring even coverage.
Layer vegetables (3 minutes): Place diced onions, carrots, celery, and cubed potatoes in the bottom of your 6-quart slow cooker. Add minced garlic and bay leaves.
Add chicken (2 minutes): Arrange seasoned chicken pieces on top of vegetables. Drizzle olive oil over chicken for added richness.
Add liquid (1 minute): Pour chicken broth around the edges of the slow cooker, not directly over chicken to preserve seasoning.
Cook low and slow (6 hours): Cover and cook on LOW setting for 6-8 hours, or HIGH setting for 3-4 hours. Avoid lifting lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature.
Check doneness (1 minute): Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and meat easily pulls apart with a fork.
Serve and garnish: Remove bay leaves, transfer to serving plates, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
