Eden Hazard's ninth goal of the season and Filipe Luis' first strike for the club gave the Blues a 2-0 lead at the iPro Stadium before Craig Bryson gave the Championship high-flyers hope with a superb, driven effort 19 minutes from time.
However, Jake Buxton was sent off for a professional foul just minutes later, with Andre Schurrle subsequently extending Chelsea's lead before full-time. Mourinho's men, then, remain in the hunt for four trophies and the Portuguese was impressed with his side's approach to the clash with Steve McClaren's men.
"Derby are a Championship side but not a typical Championship side; they have more quality than that and they play good football with fantastic support in their stadium," he told Sky Sports.
"We played in a very professional way and controlled the game for most of the time. They fought to the end and they had a good period after they scored when they were able to put us in trouble."
Mourinho also praised Cesc Fabregas following another impressive display.
He added: "Cesc Fabregas is playing so well for us. What I like is not only is he a great player but, as a person, he is a professional.
"He is a world champion, he comes here to play in the Capital One Cup and plays like that. That is the character I like and what I want to see from all of my players."
Mourinho revealed that Kurt Zouma will be available to face Stoke City in the Premier League on Monday after being carried off with a cut to his mouth following a collision with Petr Cech, while Didier Drogba suffered a swollen ankle after slipping on the wet turf.
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