Semiorganic nonlinear optical l-Glutamic acid Nickel Chloride (LGANC) single crystals were harvested using the slow evaporation solution growth method at room temperature. The LGANC crystal belong to the orthorhombic system and space group was analysed by powder XRD Techniques. Functional group present in the sample were identified by FTIR spectral analysis. The crystal were characterized by UV–Vis–NIR Transmission spectrum in the range of 200–1100 nm. Photoluminescence spectral study revealed the electron excitation in the grown crystal. SHG conversion efficiency was investigated, and it reveals 1.23 times greater than KDP reference material. The thermal stability of LGANC was determined using TGA and DTA. Surface morphology of the grown crystal was examined by using SEM analysis. To demonstrate the third-order susceptibility of the produced crystal, Z-scan technique were used. It is important that the title material has a variety of excellent physicochemical and nonlinear optical characteristics, which assists it in gaining recognition as a prospective candidate for nonlinear optical device applications. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.