To prepare the crispy coating, lay a large sheet of baking paper on your work surface. Combine all the ingredients for the crispy coating in a bowl and mix well. The baking paper will help with coating the chicken and make clean-up easier.

In a separate large, shallow bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the wet mixture.

Take one chicken tenderloin at a time and lightly coat it in the crispy coating, shaking off any excess. This initial light coating helps the final coating stick better.

Dip the coated chicken into the wet mixture, allowing any excess to drip off, then return it to the crispy coating. Use the baking paper to toss and press the coating firmly onto the chicken, creating a textured crust with crispy edges. Place the coated chicken on a wire rack or plate and repeat with the remaining pieces.

For the honey BBQ sauce, combine the ketchup, honey, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and hot sauce in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until it simmers gently, cooking for 3–4 minutes while stirring continuously. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter until smooth and glossy. Keep warm.

To make the Comeback Sauce, mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

For frying the chicken, pour enough oil into a large, deep pan to reach about 5 cm (2 inches) up the sides. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. It's ready when a wooden spoon dipped into the oil produces a steady stream of small bubbles.

Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add the chicken to the hot oil and let it cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes until a golden crust forms. Avoid moving or turning the chicken too early to prevent the coating from coming off.

After 2–3 minutes, turn the chicken and continue cooking for an additional 5–6 minutes, or until it is golden, crispy, and fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a wire rack to drain excess oil, placing the rack on a tray lined with baking paper for easier clean-up.

Once fried, lightly brush the warm honey BBQ sauce over the chicken while it remains on the wire rack. This method helps maintain the crispy coating. Use just enough sauce to coat the chicken while keeping some crispy edges visible.

Serve the chicken immediately with the Comeback Sauce for dipping, along with coleslaw and wedges on the side.