slow cooker chicken-corn chowder

Ingredients

• 6 - boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 3 large new potatoes,peeled,cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 medium carrots, chopped
• 3 - celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, seeded, chopped
• 1 bunch green onion,cleaned, and chopped green part too
• 2 packages 12 oz. each fresh steamer niblets frozen corn
• 4 1/2 ounces can chopped green chiles, optional
• 3 ounces pkg. cream cheese, cut up
• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 2 1/2 cups milk or cream
• 1 cup sherry wine
• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup cream or milk
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch or 1/4 c. instant potatoes
• - pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup crispy fried and crumbled bacon or real bacon bits