Frank Lampard's hat-trick helped Chelsea into the fourth round but the score was harsh on 10-man Macclesfield.
Paul Ince's side enjoyed a moment of glory when John Murphy pounced on a Ricardo Carvalho error to equalise after Lampard's close-range opener.
But Lampard scored his second from 20 yards a minute later and converted a penalty after keeper Tommy Lee was sent off for a foul on Andriy Shevchenko.
Shaun Wright-Phillips, Jon Obi Mikel and Carvalho wrapped up the win.
Interview: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho
Interview: Macclesfield striker John Murphy
The scoreline was tough on Macclesfield, who conceded four goals after Lee was sent off in the 47th minute and, with no reserve on the bench, defender David Morley was forced to take over the gloves.
The Silkmen were even down to nine men for the last 15 minutes when Murphy limped off after Ince had made his three substitutions.
Jose Mourinho stuck to his word and fielded a strong team against the League Two side.
Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele and Michael Ballack were all rested, but that still left Chelsea fielding a line-up which included the likes of Lampard, Carvalho and Ashley Cole.
606 DEBATE: Your reaction to the match
They completely dominated the early stages and it was no surprise when Lampard put them ahead on 17 minutes after some neat left-wing play from Salomon Kalou.
Carvalho had a tap-in ruled out for offside before the Silkmen provided a magical FA Cup moment with an improbable equaliser against their millionnaire opponents.
Carvalho slipped and diverted the ball into Murphy's path and the on-loan Blackpool striker coolly tucked the ball through Hilario's legs.
The scores were level for just one minute 26 seconds.
Lampard took possession from Alan Navarro and drove at the Macclesfield defence before driving home a clinical goal.
Macclesfield were still in the match for the three second-half minutes Lee managed to stay on the pitch.
Clean through on goal, Shevchenko perhaps might have considered hurdling Lee's outstretched arm and tapping in but instead the pair collided and the referee had little option but to produce a red card.
Morley could do little about Lampard's powerful spot-kick into the corner but it was another 20 minutes before Chelsea scored again, Wright-Phillips tapping in Lampard's left-wing cross.
Kalou's stunning volley and Carvalho's simple strike completed an ultimately comfortable win.
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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho:
"I thought we dominated the whole game but they fought well.
"I wouldn't have been happy if we had scored more because a team like that deserve to leave with pride.
"It's a result that shows the difference between the teams but I'm not happy if a powerful team like ours smashes nine or 10 against a team like that."
Chelsea: Hilario, Geremi, Ferreira, Carvalho, Ashley Cole (Woods 79), Wright-Phillips, Lampard (Morais 71), Mikel, Bridge, Kalou (Sahar 76), Shevchenko.
Subs Not Used: Kalambay, Sinclair.
Booked: Mikel, Shevchenko, Ashley Cole.
Goals: Lampard 16, 41, 51 pen, Wright-Phillips 68, Mikel 82, Carvalho 86.
Macclesfield: Lee, Regan, Morley, Swailes, McIntyre, Heath (Miles 59), Navarro, Hadfield (Tolley 73), Bullock, Murphy, McNeil (Jennings 52).
Subs Not Used: Tipton, Reid.
Sent Off: Lee (48).
Booked: Navarro.
Goals: Murphy 40.
Att: 41,434
Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).
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