Royal Chicken Cooked in Yogurt

Name: Royal Chicken Cooked in Yogurt
Ingredients: 1 cup plain yogurt; 1 teaspoon salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro (Chinese parsley, fresh green coriander); 3 1/2 pounds chicken, cut into serving portions; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 8 cardamom pods; 6 whole cloves; 2-inch stick cinnamon; 3 bay leaves; 2 1/2 tablespoons blanched, slivered almonds; 2 1/2 tablespoons golden raisins