Looking to bounce back from Sunday's draw against Brighton Hove & Albion, Sonia Bompastor's side went ahead through Catarina Macario's deflected free kick.
There was concern in the first half for the Foxes after they were forced to make an early substitution when Ruby Mace was taken off on a stretcher.
Aggie Beever-Jones' cool finish early in the second half doubled Chelsea's advantage and the visitors pulled one back moments later through Yuka Momiki's fantastic chipped shot before Erin Cuthbert's shot from outside of the box sealed three points.
"This result means a lot," Bompastor told Sky Sports.
"When you just dropped points it's really important to win the game after and the reaction was good from my players, but I was expecting that."
Chelsea (44 points) remain unbeaten with 14 wins and two draws from 16 league games this season, while Leicester (12) stay just above the relegation zone.
Leicester defender Courtney Nevin played a full game, as did fellow Matilda Mary Fowler in Manchester City's 1-1 draw with West Ham United.
Bunny Shaw looked to have secured victory after coming off the bench to put City ahead 10 minutes from time but Manuela Pavi had the final say with an added-time equaliser to snatch a point for the Hammers.
The draw means City (32) missed the chance to return to the top three, and the Champions League spots, while a well-earned point sees West Ham (15), who subbed Aussie veteran Katrina Gorry off in the 79th minute, stay ninth.
With AAP.
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