They will win the league with victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday following their 3-1 triumph at Leicester.
Didier Drogba, Terry and Ramires scored second-half goals to move the leaders 13 points clear in the table.
Arsenal fans labelled Chelsea 'boring' during their goalless draw on Sunday but Terry believes the Blues and boss Jose Mourinho warrant more plaudits.
"I think we have to give respect to the players, and manager as well," the defender told Sky Sports.
"What he's done with this side in two years has been different class
He deserves a lot of respect.
"We were the best side by far before Christmas and I think the best side all season
We haven't had the best results recently because teams get behind the ball and make it difficult for us.
"But the players and manager deserve a lot of respect because we've been very good all year."
Chelsea can clinch their first title since 2010 at home against Palace but Mourinho warned against premature celebrations.
"I cannot touch it, we need to win
We need two or three more points so I would say we need three points to be completely safe," he said.
"I think we all had it in our mind to try to do it at Stamford Bridge
Today, the great motivation was exactly that.
"Stamford Bridge, they can't celebrate yet
If they want to celebrate they have to celebrate the Capital One Cup.
"I hope they don't go there to celebrate, I hope they go there to play the match with us and push the team."
Marc Albrighton scored his first goal since 2012 - and first for Leicester - when the Foxes went ahead in first-half stoppage time.
Paul Konchesky also hit the post as the hosts matched Chelsea before the break but were denied a fifth straight top-flight win for the first time since 1963-64.
Andy King and Robert Huth were forced off injured in the first half but boss Nigel Pearson refused to blame the early changes
He said: "I'm not a big believer in sitting here bemoaning what happens in games
I would say Chelsea played very well in the second half and their quality was apparent.
"Our players gave everything they had and sometimes things go for you and sometimes they don't.
"What's given us a chance to survive is the collective spirit we have.
"To win four games on the spin at any level is difficult and for the players to have to deal with the amount of criticism over the course of the season is something which has has tested us all."
Source : PA
Source: PA