Blackburn secured a win that should safeguard their Premiership status and puts a major dent in Palace's hopes of avoiding the drop.
Morten Gamst Pedersen got the only goal on the stroke of half-time, stabbing home from a Robbie Savage free-kick.
Blackburn had chances to put the game beyond doubt but Jonathan Stead was brilliantly denied by Gabor Kiraly.
Ryan Nelson hit the outside of the post while Steven Reid and Stead both missed glaring opportunities late on.
Blackburn produced a good response to their FA Cup semi-final disappointment with a determined display.
The only thing lacking was a finishing touch as they created enough chances to avoid a nervous end to the game.
Stead thought he had scored when he met Pedersen's right-wing cross but Kiraly reacted instinctively to tip the ball round the post at full stretch.
Pedersen again set up Stead in the area but the rangy striker's sliced finish was hopelessly off target.
Ryan Nelsen got in on the act as he was left unmarked inside the area from a deep Savage free-kick, but the New Zealand defender crashed his angled right-foot shot against the outside of Kiraly's left-hand post.
A minute later Brett Emerton cut inside two challenges only to drill his shot at Kiraly.
Savage was somewhat fortunate to stay on the field when he first was booked for a scything tackle on Mikele Leigertwood and then brought down Wayne Routledge five yards outside the area.
The referee opted not to show him a second yellow card and from the free-kick Andy Johnson drove into the wall.
Savage then made Palace pay as his set piece found Pederson unmarked and he was able to direct the inswinging free-kick in off the crossbar.
Brad Friedel was finally called into action to save a low Johnson effort which proved to be Palace's only effort on target.
Dominic Matteo and Reid both missed chances before Stead stabbed wide from seven yards and fired directly at Kiraly late on as Palace left gaps at the back in a vain search for the equaliser.
The win saw Rovers move 11 points clear of the relegation zone where only goal difference separates Palace from propping up the table following Norwich's stunning late win at home to Newcastle.
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes:
"We feel it's more than enough points. A draw would probably have been enough but to win the game has probably put it to bed now.
"It's been a long, hard season. I think we were rock bottom on 20 November.
"The players have put in a tremendous amount of work to make sure we're in the Premier League next season and we're delighted."
Crystal Palace manager Iain Dowie:
"It was a poor goal to give away. It's these lapses of concentration that are costing us.
"We huffed and puffed without creating. We could have passed it around better but we dug in and defended doggedly.
"Our delivery into the front men was poor but I cannot fault the efforts of the players."
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Mokoena, Emerton, Savage (Tugay 45), Reid, Pedersen (Thompson 75), Stead.
Subs Not Used: Flitcroft, Enckelman, Gallagher.
Booked: Savage, Reid, Mokoena.
Goals: Pedersen 45.
Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Butterfield (Popovic 76), Hall, Sorondo, Borrowdale, Routledge, Leigertwood, Hughes, Kolkka (Soares 45), Johnson, Freedman (Torghelle 60).
Subs Not Used: Speroni, Shipperley.
Booked: Sorondo, Butterfield.
Att: 18,006.
Ref: P Walton (Northamptonshire).
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The Premiership can be cruel - we knew it would be difficult but this is sickening
