Hey, I'm in Phoenix too!
My main staple for my guys is chicken breast - I boil 2 on Sunday with some butter (tsp) and Spike seasoning thrown in - for about 7 minutes. I cut into large strips, then throw it in the blender (yes, the blender) - and it shreds the chicken perfectly! They get chicken w/ parmesan sprinkles twice a day (w/ all their vitamins, etc.) - and have Orijen for grazing. I am pretty much grain free as this is best for them. (this is why grain-free kibbles are always rated best)
For a back-up or for travel, I use canned, low-sodium chunk chicken and shred it w/ fork.
I sometimes switch things up by using ground turkey, beef, or tuna.
One very important note, if homecooking - you MUST supplement. I use Pitcairn's recommendations, but NOT the specifics bc you end up having to give too many individual supps for my taste, very inconvenient. I use Solid Gold's Bone Meal (calcium) and the following one for multi vit/mineral, probiotic, digestive enzymes, and EFAs etc:
http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/produc...at/999065.aspx
Good luck and good for you for home cooking!