•Unsteady MHD flow of micropolar Casson Cross nanofluid is addressed.•Total entropy rate is calculated through second law of thermodynamics.•Non-linear thermal radiation and chemical reaction effects are considered.•Buongiorno's nanofluid model is used in the mathematical modeling. The present work provides important insights regarding three dimensional unsteady magnetohydrodynamic flow and entropy generation of micropolar Casson Cross nanofluid subject to nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction. The Buongiorno's nanofluid model featured with Brownian movement and thermophoresis is considered. Realistic aspects namely convective boundary condition, viscous dissipation and joule heating are introduced. The present problem is modeled by momentum, temperature, microrotation and nanoparticles concentration equations. The non-dimensional highly nonlinear differential equations are solved numerically via shooting iteration technique together with 4th order Runge-Kutta integration scheme. The current study imparts a reasonable, pragmatic and realistic approach to a good absorber of solar energy. In addition, strong and visionary profiles of velocity, microrotation, temperature, nanoparticles concentration, entropy generation rate and Bejan number for concern nanofluids are presented. Besides, intensive physical interpretation of the involved thermophycal parameters has been well-addressed. The present investigation shows that strengthening of Weissenberg number uplifts the axial as well transverse fluid velocities while that of Hartmann number turns out to be a reverse trend. Furthermore, heat and mass transfer rates exhibit ascending and descending trends for intensified Brownian motion and thermophoresis respectively. Improved thermal boundary layer due to the upgrading temperature ratio parameter is another outcome of the current analysis.