The title compound, [CuCl2(C19H16N4O)], contains a Cu(II) atom N,N',O-chelated by a neutral N-phenyl-hy-dra-zine-car-box-amide ligand and additionally coordinated by two Cl atoms, resulting in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The ligating atoms in the basal square plane of the complex comprise the azomethine N, the pyridine N, the amide O and one of the Cl atoms, whereas the other Cl atom occupies an apical position. The apical Cl atoms in adjacent layers function as hydrogen-bond acceptors to both NH groups. Intermolecular C-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O interactions are also observed.