New nonlinear chalcone derivative: 3-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (DCPP), has been synthesized and crystallized using dimethylformamide as solvent. The lattice parameters for the grown crystals were determined by using single crystal x-ray diffraction analysis; the DCPP crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P21 space group. The unit cell parameters of the crystal are: a=7.4229(2) angstrom, b=3.9889(1) angstrom, c=21.2685(6) angstrom, =98.212(2), and V=623.29(3)angstrom 3. DCPP crystals were characterized by thermal and FTIR and UV-Vis spectral techniques. DCPP crystals are thermally stable up to 146.9 degrees C. The UV absorption cut off wavelength is observed at 350nm. DCPP crystals generate second harmonics of Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064nm wavelength. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the powdered DCPP sample was measured using Kurtz and Perry technique. The SHG efficiency is found to be equal to that of urea.